What is your current position? What is your area of focus?
I am a Plumbing Engineer and an Associate at SmithGroup. Officially I am part of the Healthcare studio, but I am also privileged to get to work on Science and Technology, Higher Education, and Workplace projects as well. I get to design the plumbing systems for mostly commercial healthcare facilities, including domestic water, sanitary waste and vent, storm, medical gas, and specialty water systems.
What are your career journey highlights?
- In 2012, after about four years of mechanical engineering in the automotive industry, I became a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Washington and Arizona.
- In 2016, I was hired as a Plumbing Engineer at SmithGroup and transitioned from Automotive Engineering to Plumbing Engineering.
- In December of 2023, I became a certified ASSE 6060 Designer. I enjoy working with medical gases, because it is frequently very "black and white", and it requires a good understanding of how the gases are used in healthcare.
- In 2024, I was promoted to Associate at SmithGroup. I'm extremely grateful for the talented and integrated team of architects, engineers, and interior designers that work so well together to deliver top-notch projects. My opportunities would simply not be the same at a more "siloed" firm.
What motivated you to get into the plumbing engineering industry?
I spent almost nine years in the automotive industry, including positions at a few higher-risk startups. I realized that I wanted something more stable to support a family. Having had my PE license, I was initially drawn toward a more HVAC-related position, but I began to feel more drawn toward plumbing engineering thanks to my strengths in fluid dynamics. I also learned to enjoy the opportunity to be involved in plumbing fixture selection. Additionally, my love for the desert southwest comes with a passion for conserving water, which I frequently have the opportunity to do.
What are the most exciting or rewarding aspects of your work?
I enjoy creating the most efficient systems I can in terms of both energy consumption and water conservation, while maintaining the highest standard in user safety. Delivering well thought out systems that are safe, efficient, and suitable for serving a changing building for its lifetime by being adaptable is a passion of mine.
What value have you gained from participation in ASPE Connect?
I love ASPE Connect because it affords an opportunity to seek information outside of my typical reach. People working on different projects in different areas and from different companies can bring fresh perspective to plumbing problems that may not have otherwise been accessible. If we seek information only from within our respective companies, we risk becoming "siloed" and falling behind, rather than moving forward as a profession and as an industry.
What is the most interesting plumbing design challenge you have encountered?
I find any work in an existing hospital facility to be an interesting challenge, because each one is different and contains its own unique set of circumstances. Generally speaking, shutdowns need to be very limited and oftentimes the design is heavily influenced by the details of the sequence in which the new work will be performed. Oftentimes, a very thorough and in-depth understanding of how the facility functions before modifications is required to complete a proper and constructible design. This tends to require very hands-on work and an inquisitive nature!
What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and four children, ages three to nine. We love to explore the desert southwest!
Be sure to connect with @Nathan Heitzinger and say hello!