From taking apart electronics as a kid to designing transportation infrastructure that moves millions, Jose Aguilar, transportation project manager in Ardurra's Tucson, AZ, office, proves that great engineering starts with CURIOSITY. Now he's using drones, VR, and sustainable practices to reimagine what our infrastructure could look like, while inspiring the next generation to build their own legacies.

Sometimes the most impactful careers come full circle in unexpected ways. Find out how designing runways became the perfect way to honor his father's aviation career while forging his own path.

In the world of civil engineering, structures are designed to last for generations. But for Jose Aguilar, PE, ENV SP, a transportation and aviation engineer at Ardurra, the true measure of success extends beyond concrete and steel. It's about building a legacy through sustainable practices, mentorship, and a commitment to serving the communities where he works and lives.

At Ardurra, Jose found more than just colleagues. He has found kindred spirits who share his values and vision. In this collaborative environment where teamwork trumps competition, he has grown both as an engineer and as a leader. Guided by mentors who recognized his potential, Jose has been entrusted with projects that matter, allowing him to create something truly lasting: work that combines innovation and responsibility while maintaining a deep connection to the communities it serves.

Finding Engineering's Foundations in Childhood Curiosity

"Growing up, I had a love for Legos," Jose reflects, tracing the earliest origins of his engineering mindset. "Building things... that was my first introduction to reading plans. You look at the pamphlet that it comes with, and you're building it."

This early passion for construction wasn't limited to following instructions. Jose's natural curiosity led him to explore how things worked by taking apart electronics and figuring out how to fix them. When his video game controller stopped working, he didn't discard it – he grabbed a screwdriver, opened it up, diagnosed the problem with the joystick, and repaired it himself.

These childhood experiences laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to understanding, building, and improving the infrastructure that connects our communities.

Building Bridges Between Generations

Today, Jose channels that same curiosity into inspiring future engineers. As the current Region 8 Governor for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), he has worked his way through various levels of the organization, from younger member initiatives to section leadership.

"I want to help and inspire others to also find what they like to do," Jose explains, highlighting his involvement with MathCounts, a math competition for students, and MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement), which engages young people in hands-on engineering projects.

Jose understands that theoretical learning only goes so far in capturing the imagination of young engineers. "You go to school and you learn about it, and you learn equations and you do all these things, but you don't really get to BUILD anything," he notes. By supporting programs that incorporate practical building challenges like catapult construction, he helps students experience the tangible satisfaction of bringing mathematical concepts to life – just as his own childhood tinkering led him to engineering.

Sustainability as a Foundation for the Future

For Jose, creating a lasting impact also means embracing sustainable practices that preserve resources for future generations. As an Envision-certified professional, he brings sustainability principles to every project, whether or not formal certification is being pursued.

"I always have that Envision mindset of being sustainable, being efficient, being cognizant of materials and long-term cost," he explains. This philosophy shapes his approach to everything from material selection to maintenance planning. "The maintenance cost might outweigh using a different type of material," he points out, emphasizing how sustainable thinking requires looking beyond immediate expenses to long-term value.

Jose stays at the forefront of sustainable innovations in his field, noting advancements like incorporating recycled materials such as chipped tires into pavement design. On his current projects, he’s always looking for opportunities to repurpose materials, such as using milled pavement for shoulder build-up rather than disposing of it – decisions that benefit both the environment and project budgets.

Connecting Communities Through Transportation

Whether designing roadways or airport infrastructure, Jose sees his work as fundamentally about connecting people. "I've really enjoyed my career thus far," he shares, reflecting on the satisfaction that comes from creating infrastructure that enables communities to thrive.

His philosophy of connection extends to seeing transportation as a global challenge. Jose's recent travels to Japan and Singapore have inspired him to envision better possibilities for American infrastructure. Riding Japan's bullet train, which travels at over 200 mph, opened his eyes to what could be possible: "Experiencing these advanced systems firsthand was truly eye-opening. It showed me the incredible possibilities we could achieve in American infrastructure if we applied similar innovation."

This global perspective impacts his approach to local challenges, helping him bring innovative thinking to everyday engineering problems.

Embracing New Technologies to Extend Impact

Jose's commitment to building a legacy also manifests in his enthusiasm for emerging technologies that can transform infrastructure design and engagement. As a licensed drone pilot, he has used drone technology for aerial views of projects, including parking lot studies and intersection analyses.

His forward-thinking approach extends to virtual reality, which he sees as a powerful tool for helping stakeholders visualize proposed projects: "If we can give them a headset, and they can see the project as if they were actually there in person. It’s a game changer for sharing the details of a project with the general public."

Even as he contemplates future technologies like air taxis and the infrastructure they'll require, Jose maintains the same fundamental question: How can we harness these tools to create more efficient, sustainable, and people-centered infrastructure?

Full Circle: Personal Connections that Complete the Legacy

Perhaps the most touching aspect of Jose's career journey is how it has connected him back to his own family legacy. His father, a sheet metal mechanic who worked on airplanes his entire life, had hoped his son would become an aerospace engineer.

Although Jose chose a different path, focusing on "things that are on the ground," his work in airport design has created an unexpected connection: "Working on airports has brought it full circle for me and connects to my dad. I've shown him how I can be part of that industry but in a different aspect of it."

This full-circle moment beautifully illustrates how building a professional legacy isn't just about the structures we create, but about the human connections we forge along the way.

The Highway Ahead

When asked to choose a theme song that represents his life philosophy, Jose selected "Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane – an apt choice for a transportation engineer, but also a reflection of his journey-oriented perspective.

"It encompasses getting people moving and doing the right thing," he explains. "I never would have thought that I would be here today... life takes you to different, unanticipated places."

As Jose continues building his legacy through sustainable infrastructure, mentoring future engineers, and embracing innovative technologies, he remains open to where the highway might lead next. What's clear is that his impact will be measured not just in miles of roadway or square feet of runway, but in the lives touched and communities improved by his holistic approach to engineering.

For this engineer, the true building blocks of legacy are found not just in concrete and steel, but in sustainability, education, innovation, and the human connections formed along life's highway.