Our People
Meet Brett Jones
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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From the drafting table to the dynamic world of civil engineering, Brett Jones has charted a course through the industry with a compass set on innovation and practical application.
His passion for construction and design-build projects is not just about laying foundations but about building dreams within deadlines. Currently steering the helm as the project manager for the Automated People Mover (APM) at Los Angeles International Airport, Brett is orchestrating the grand symphony of construction, testing, and commissioning with a key client, all tuned toward a grand opening slated for early 2026.
With a career tapestry woven from land development design to transit design-build, Brett’s 32-year journey in civil engineering is a testament to a relentless pursuit of alternative delivery methods, ensuring that projects not only break ground but also break conventions.
“In the world of civil engineering, it’s not just about the concrete and steel; it’s about the people and the places they connect. My role at Jacobs is to bridge the gap between vision and reality, ensuring that every project I touch is not only a structure but a landmark of progress.”
Brett Jones
During his senior year in high school, Brett took a very memorable drafting class that set him on a course toward selecting civil engineering as a major in college. After graduating high school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, he started with a regional contractor working in the field constructing a variety of projects, while starting at University of Rhode Island in civil engineering. After two years, he transferred to Cal Poly Pomona, began working with a small local engineering/survey firm, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. This early foundation of working construction while finishing his degree in civil engineering set a base of applying engineering principles toward real-world application into construction and delivering meaningful projects for public use.
After college, Brett’s civil engineering career path took on many forms, from land development design to surveying to highway transportation design to transit design to facilities/station projects. Even though his career over the years has involved other phases of design from environmental/planning, preliminary engineering, and traditional design bid build projects, he has always gravitated toward design-build/alternative delivery projects.
Get to know Brett
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32
years of expereince shaping highways and transit routes
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2026
marks the anticipated public unveiling of his current magnum opus at the Los Angeles International Airport
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24
years spent pioneering transit design-build projects
What’s your favorite part of your role?
Starting my career on the construction side sparked a passion for seeing projects built proactively on time, and within budget. My favorite part of my role is to work as a team to successfully complete a project. The old adage that it takes a village to raise a child is similar to the favorite part of my role – it takes tremendous team work to build a project successfully.
When you aren’t working, what are we most likely to find you doing?
Being outside on regular basis is important to me and that’s why I chose a profession that involves some aspect of being in the field. When not working, you’ll find me outside with family, whether walking/running, road biking/mountain biking, hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, boating, or occasionally golfing.
What excites you about the future of this industry?
Seeing the upcoming professionals that truly have a passion for our industry and the built environment.
Can you share one piece of advice?
Success comes with hard work. If you never give up, you will eventually succeed.
What is the biggest challenge in your market?
Retaining those with extensive experience long enough to pass the baton to the younger professionals, to assure a proper level of expertise within the industry.
What do you enjoy most about being part of #OurJacobs?
Being part of Jacobs allows me to be useful to society and to continue to work on large and long lasting iconic public works projects for public use and enjoyment.