Staff Spotlight: Raymond Gomez, PE, CFM

We welcome Raymond Gomez, PE, to the Upland team as our newest Project Engineer! Raymond, a 2018 graduate from Carroll College with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, brings over six years of diverse experience in hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, floodplain management, and environmental impact assessments, having previously worked with Engineers Without Borders, Caltrans, and the Riverside Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

What inspired you to pursue a career in civil engineering?

In high school, I thought a lot about what career path I wanted. I knew I liked math and science the most. Computer science interested me, but I took AP Environmental Science, and that made me realize that I enjoyed physical sciences. I did some research and discovered Environmental Engineering. I was set on environmental engineering, so I applied to schools that offered that as a major. 

Can you share a memorable experience from your time working with Engineers Without Borders in St. Lucia?

The outcome of our project had a real benefit to society and that’s memorable. Our project was to improve the water supply at a nursing home. Before the project, the staff and residents would use water that was a blend of city water and rainwater. They would use this water for cooking, cleaning, bathing, washing, etc. Rainwater isn’t the cleanest so we wanted to ensure the health and safety of the nursing home by separating the water supplies and also utilizing the rainwater in a better way. We were able to install water tanks to hold city water in case of droughts/emergencies and water tanks for rainwater. We converted the laundry facility to use only settled rainwater and the staff would use disinfectant powder along with their detergent. By using rainwater for the laundry facility, we helped them save money and conserve the city water for better uses like drinking and bathing. Besides the project, St. Lucia is a very beautiful island, and being able to visit twice was memorable as well. On one of our free days, I ate the fruit of a cacao pod and chilled in some hot springs. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Civiltec Engineering, and what attracted you to join the Upland team?

I enjoy the diverse work and knowledge from everyone. There are real experts here in different aspects of civil engineering so learning something new is accessible. I wanted to join the Upland team for the same reasons, I saw it as a good opportunity to learn. 

Can you describe a particularly challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles?

I had to work on a traffic noise model of Highway 101 near Pismo Beach and write a noise study report. I didn’t have experience in this and my boss at the time hadn’t used the software in over 10 years. I slowly read through the software manual and had to learn microstations for some of the shapefile work. I was able to learn the software and do a noise analysis of a highway widening project. This included calibrating the model with real noise data that I collected in the field. There are noise laws so I had to propose sound walls in areas where we exceeded noise thresholds. I overcame the task by seeking help from the design team, my boss, and just reading a lengthy software manual. 

How do you balance the technical aspects of your job with the need for creative problem-solving?

I think you need to be creative and problem-solve for some of the planning work we do. We maneuver numbers and GIS data a lot. Sometimes we don’t have the data we need so creativity helps and research too! We can make assumptions and also seek alternative sources of data. Finding a way to present it all requires some creativity too. Planning work is like being a detective sometimes.

What advice would you give to young engineers just starting their careers in the industry?

Try to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for explanations and admit you don’t know something. I remember some of the meetings I had at Caltrans and I was lost. There was so much to learn and everyone threw around abbreviations and acronyms. 

How do you approach teamwork and collaboration on large-scale projects?

Communication is the best tool. Collaborating is essential, no matter your experience. As a younger engineer, there are just things I can’t do, and collaborating is necessary. 

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work, and how do they influence your professional life?

I like some techy things like photography, video editing, and computer building/gaming. I think techy hobbies help you problem-solve and troubleshoot. Sometimes software at work gives you trouble and having some computer knowledge is helpful. I also like fishing, playing tennis, and playing guitar. With winter coming I will be snowboarding a little bit as well.

What are your goals for the next few years, both professionally and personally?

I just got my PE and a car that won’t break down so I feel like I just achieved my goals and now I need to think of new goals.

What do you think is the most important quality for an engineer to have, and how do you cultivate that in your work?

Critical thinking and problem-solving. I try to think of solutions when I can but I also use other resources like google, youtube, forums, and LinkedIn from time to time and it can be very helpful as well. So don’t be afraid to utilize any and all available tools.

What’s a fun fact about you that most of your colleagues might not know?

I don’t like the taste of cheese. Cheese is gross to me and I know this fact will alienate me from some people.