Staff Spotlight: Kilmer Chavez, EIT

Kilmer Chavez, EIT, is a Staff Engineer at Civiltec with five years of experience in civil and water engineering. His background includes designing water and wastewater infrastructure such as gravity sewer systems, pump stations, and stormwater management solutions. Kilmer combines technical expertise with a collaborative mindset to help deliver thoughtful, effective water projects across the region.

What inspired you to pursue a career in civil engineering, and how did that path lead you to Civiltec?

I have always liked problem solving. Engineering, in general, involves a lot of problem solving and was an attractive choice when I was younger. There were plenty of engineering options when I was applying for college, eventually I settled on Civil. Civil engineering is a broad field with all kinds of projects, which makes this discipline very interesting. I have worked at a few other companies and several different types of projects before joining Civiltec.The first few years out of college required a lot of adjustments and wiggling especially when it comes to finding a place that aligns or balances most, if not all, aspects of work and lifestyle that fits, eventually I found Civiltec.

Can you share a bit about your journey before joining Civiltec? Any standout projects or lessons you took from those experiences?

One project that stood out was the flow meter facilities I designed for the City of Riverside (before Civiltec), it involved designing large siphon systems (50 inches diameter) in relatively low slope or flat pipelines. I referred to many textbooks and articles to help understand the concepts and principles applicable to the design. While the design works in theory, I am still unsure how it will perform once the project is built. I realized that there will be more projects like this in the future, so in order to build confidence in my work, I should not stop learning and always be on the lookout for an opportunity to improve as an engineer.

What discipline of engineering do you enjoy the most, and why?

Within Civil Engineering, I always enjoy working on water infrastructure. One of the first projects I have had after graduating was related to stormwater. I also had good hydraulics and hydrology professors that would explain concepts really well which probably helped make this specific field even more interesting. From then on, it just became a default for me to work on and enjoy water related projects.

What has been your favorite part of working at Civiltec so far?

My favorite part of working at Civiltec is that the work environment essentially advocates for trust with each other’s work and learning from each other. A close second favorite are the beverages from the fridge.

Which skills or tools do you find yourself using most often in your day-to-day work?

Excel and a calculator always come in handy. Although, I do find myself relying and improving on time management and communication skills throughout my day-to-day work. 

How do you approach collaboration?

Effective communication is key when it comes to collaboration. So I always make sure to communicate relevant thoughts or information whenever possible.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career in engineering?

Claim your right to stumble (and get back up)! It is one of the fastest ways to grow. There are layers of authorities and different groups of people that will see or review your work before it gets built or made so do not be afraid to execute. Feedback will always be there and will help a lot. 

Outside of work, what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I play and watch Chess as a fun hobby.