For Marcos Espinosa, water engineering is about making a meaningful impact. As an engineering supervisor on our Water team in Tampa, Florida, he’s helping design the water systems that keep communities healthy, mentoring the next generation of engineers, and building connections across the firm through the Ethnic Minorities Employee Resource Group (ERG). We sat down with Marcos to talk about his path into the field, what he loves about leading a growing team, and the project that has him most excited right now.
Q&A with Marcos Espinosa
What drew you to water and wastewater engineering?
The real-world impact. When I was in college looking for internships, I found one working on a huge reservoir project in Miami during a long stretch of drought. Having lived in South Florida, I was used to seeing water restriction notices, so helping build resilience into that system felt personal. Later, I did a brief stint working in hospitals and started thinking about the public health side of clean water. That tied it all together for me. So much of this work is hidden, but it affects everyone.
You joined Mead & Hunt in March 2024. What brought you here, and what has stood out since you arrived?
I had personal connections at Mead & Hunt who spoke highly of the company, and I was looking for a new challenge. The Tampa office was growing, and I could see a place where I’d be able to help build something.
Employee ownership was a huge differentiator for me. Having worked in a variety of organizational environments, I really value the sense of alignment and shared commitment that comes with employee ownership. What has stood out most since I got here is how deeply the values are woven into the culture. They’re not something you hear in orientation and then forget. You feel them in how people show up for each other.
Our Tampa water team has grown from five people in 2022 to around 20 today, with new offices in Orlando and Ft. Myers. What has it been like to be part of that growth?
Really rewarding, personally and professionally. Stepping into the engineering supervisor role has given me a chance to help the engineers on my team achieve more, and watching younger engineers find their groove and build confidence in their work is my favorite part of the job. The other side of it is seeing our name become recognized across the region. When clients start bringing up our work in conversation, that tells you something is clicking.
What has been the biggest mindset shift since stepping into a leadership role?
Realizing my job is now about the wellness of my team, not just my own technical output. As engineers, we’re wired to focus on delivering, and that’s still important. But when I help two engineers on my team do great work, along with my own project, that’s three projects doing well instead of one. That shift has been humbling and energizing at the same time.
“When I help two engineers on my team do great work, along with my own project, that’s three projects doing well instead of one.”
What’s a project you’re especially excited about right now?
The Sulphur Springs Pumping Station project for the City of Tampa. It moves 50 million gallons a day of wastewater through a residential neighborhood, and the aging station has been giving the city operational trouble. We’re the prime consultant on the design-build team and coordinating across 11 subconsultants to upsize the pumps and improve odor control, including a dedicated system for the adjacent park.
What makes it meaningful is the community it serves. Sulphur Springs is a historically lower-income, predominantly minority community that has faced long-standing infrastructure challenges. Yes, we’re solving a capacity issue, but we’re also giving residents a better quality of life. That’s the kind of work I want to be part of.
You’re an active member of our Ethnic Minorities ERG. What has that experience meant to you?
When I first joined Mead & Hunt, my supervisor was involved in the group and suggested I check it out. I said sure, add me to the list, and I’ve been a member ever since. The biggest benefit for me has been meeting people across the whole country and being able to talk about what’s going on in our lives and our work. It builds a real sense of community. Right now, we’re wrapping up a fun photo challenge where members shared pictures on our Intranet representing the countries they’re from during the World Cup. Little things like that go a long way toward breaking down barriers and bringing people together.
What advice would you give to a young engineer just starting out?
Ask questions. If you feel like you’re asking too many, you probably need to ask a few more. Two things happen when you do. You stay engaged, because thoughtful questions keep your head in the work. And when you ask someone who’s been in the industry for a while, you unlock insights you didn’t know were there. That sparks a conversation, and that conversation builds a relationship. Before long, you have a much wider view of the world you’re working in.
