Q&A: Talking with Jacobs Project Manager Kimberly Martinez

Kimberly Martinez is a project manager at Jacobs who also supports our Project Management and Construction Management (PMCM) business in the Pacific Northwest. Kimberly works on major buildings and infrastructure programs and projects supporting clients through transformative growth, including Boeing and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

In honor of International Women in Engineering Day, we’re connecting virtually with our team of engineering heroes around the world to showcase their careers and how each of them help Jacobs to live up to our promise of Challenging today. Reinventing tomorrow.

For this feature, we talked with Project Manager Kimberly Martinez about her career, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) heroes who inspire her and how working at UPS helped kickstart her engineering career.

Tell us a bit about what you’re working on these days.

As part of a Program Management team, we provide PMCM services under two new Owner’s Consultant Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts for BPA, a federal agency providing half the electricity used in the Northwest, that operates over three-quarters of the regions high-voltage transmission. The BPA Ross Complex Redevelopment program we manage consists of new construction, building repurpose and site infrastructure upgrades. Its an exciting opportunity to guide BPA through this campus transformation utilizing progressive design-build delivery, which is a new approach for our client.

The second program, the Facilities Portfolio Delivery, consists of new construction, building and infrastructure upgrades across the agency’s service area in the Northwest, spanning three states and areas in five others.

What’s your favorite part of your role?

I enjoy working with a highly motivated and capable team to help our clients successfully execute complex projects and solve tough problems. Jacobs’ wide breadth of experience and expertise allows me the opportunity to coordinate across multiple disciplines to deliver a range of services, as well as offer innovative solutions to our clients.

We’re publishing this article in honor of International Women in Engineering Day and this year’s theme is Engineering Heroes. Who are some of the heroes who inspired you to pursue a career in STEAM?

Growing up, I was blessed to have a father who I believed could build or fix anything and a mother who could solve any problem. My parents both supported and nurtured my natural curiosity and affinity for science. They may not have had formal engineering educations, but they inspired and supported me to pursue a career in STEAM and are my engineering heroes.

When you think of engineers or engineering as a hero, what does that mean to you?

People who are willing to take on challenges and solve problems to improve life for others. Engineers don’t shy away from what is hard, they embrace the challenge.

If you aren’t working, what would we be most likely to find you doing?

Outside of work, I love to read and spend time outdoors. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I couldn’t ask for a better place to do both.

Most interesting career moment?

Standing underneath Boeing’s new 777x aircraft, then watching its first flight! Knowing that our team contributed to the finished product was one of those impact moments where you step back and appreciate the opportunities a career in STEAM at Jacobs has afforded.

What would you rate a 10 out of 10?

The people at Jacobs. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the best and the brightest in our industry while with Jacobs. Jacobs is home to great people who genuinely care about each other and our clients. I’ve relocated several times over the last 13 years and have found the Jacobs family to be welcoming no matter the location.

Most proud career moment?

Taking the leap and joining Jacobs 13 years ago. At the time this was a scary decision for me, but the right one! I’m proud that I took my career into my own hands and haven’t looked back since.

What advice would you give to young professionals?

Seek out and take advantage of opportunities for growth. Don’t be afraid to try something new outside of your comfort zone. If you are open and willing, a career in STEAM will bring opportunity. Embrace those opportunities for growth and learning. Also, in addition to executing technically, prioritize relationship building with your clients and coworkers. You would be surprised at how impactful they can be on your career and on Jacobs’ growth as a business. ;

People would be surprised to know that I….

Worked for UPS prior to joining Jacobs. Before joining the UPS Plant Engineering group, I loaded packages into tractor trailers for several months to get my foot in the door. It was hard, physical work, but call me crazy, I enjoyed trying to build perfect walls of packages in those trailers.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Jacobs family?

The camaraderie of working with great teams and great people who really care about each other. I also value being part of the greater Jacobs family. I appreciate the ability to reach back into our breadth of experience and specialties when working on solutions to problems. You can always find someone willing to help and support you here!