Engineers Week Spotlight: Justin Murray
Justin Murray, PE, CFM
During Engineers Week, we are proud to spotlight Justin Murray, PE, CFM, a Water Resources Program Manager in San Antonio, Texas.
Growing up around people working in engineering and construction fields first sparked Justin’s interest in pursuing his career, and he credits his high school participation in an Engineer for a Day program to getting him where he is now.
Read on to learn more about his journey!
Guidance from Family and Friends
“My second cousin was a NASA engineer, and I grew up wanting to follow in their footsteps,” Justin said. “The thought of solving problems with math and science and designing things that didn’t exist was exciting!
“When my high school guidance counselor learned about my aspirations to become an engineer, she mentioned that her husband was the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Thanks to their support, I was able to enroll in classes at UTSA while still in high school. This is where I discovered the Engineer for a Day program.”
Engineer for a Day Program
At that time, the program required an essay submission, and only two students per campus were selected. Initially, Justin thought he wanted to be an architectural engineer because it combined architecture and engineering (he later realized it was more of a structural degree he’d need to pursue). However, there weren’t any architectural engineers participating in the program that year — which Justin said he is grateful for; otherwise, he wouldn’t have met the engineer that gave him his first job in this field.
When he met the civil engineer he was paired with for Engineer for a Day, Justin immediately felt comfortable. “My dad worked for Caterpillar, and I grew up around earthmoving machines, so I was familiar with the work environment.”
He then spent the entire day exploring sewer treatment plants, wastewater lines, bridges, and caves within large floodplains. “I knew this job was perfect for me, so I asked the engineer I was paired with for a job and, as a junior in high school, I began working as an engineering technician.”
Inspiring Future Engineers
Over the years, Justin has volunteered at UTSA to help score senior engineering projects and give talks about character, leadership, and valuable skills for the workforce.
“This year, I will participate in the E-Week golf tournament with Kleinfelder-Doucet at Canyon Springs Golf Course,” Justin said. “This event holds a special place in my heart because my wife and I were married 20 years ago on the 18th hole — combining a field I am passionate about with a person I am passionate about.”
When asked what he enjoys about his career, Justin shared a cherished memory: taking his wife to a groundbreaking ceremony for one of his completed projects.
“Hearing the County Judge mention my name and seeing the pride in my wife’s eyes was incredibly rewarding,” he said. “As a water resources engineer and civil engineer, much of our work goes unseen and unnoticed, yet it is vital to our communities. Infrastructure may not be glamorous, but it is immensely fulfilling.”
