National Engineers Week Spotlight: Alphonse Occil, PE

As part of our ongoing National Engineers Week celebration, we’re proud to spotlight Alphonse Occil, PE, a structural engineer whose career reflects technical rigor, accountability, and a deep commitment to responsible design.

With approximately eight years of experience in structural engineering, Alphonse is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. His work spans a wide range of project types, including residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, railway, and waterfront structures. Over the course of his career, he has progressed from performing detailed calculations under supervision to leading design coordination and taking responsibility for final project deliverables.

In this spotlight, Alphonse shares insights from his engineering journey, the project he is most proud of, and the principles that guide his work.

How many years have you been working in the engineering industry?

“I have approximately eight years of experience in structural engineering. I am a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, and Texas, and my work has spanned residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, railway, and waterfront structures. Over time, I have progressed from performing detailed calculations under supervision to leading design coordination and taking responsibility for final deliverables.”

What is the proudest project you have ever worked on?

"One of the projects I am most proud of is my first residential design project, a pool house in Connecticut, where I was responsible for the analysis and coordination from concept through final design. It required balancing code requirements, budget constraints, and architectural intent while maintaining structural efficiency and safety. What made it meaningful was the level of ownership involved. From refining load paths to addressing field conditions, every decision required sound engineering judgment."

What advice would you give a future engineer?

“Master the fundamentals. Structural software is powerful, but it is only as reliable as the engineer uses it. You must understand load paths, boundary conditions, and structural behavior before you trust a model output. Develop strong checking habits early in your career. Engineering is a profession of responsibility. Precision, clarity in communication, and continuous learning will distinguish you over time.”

Why is diversity important in the engineering industry?

“Engineering serves communities, and communities are diverse. A diverse engineering workforce brings broader perspectives to problem solving, risk evaluation, and decision making. Different cultural and professional backgrounds lead to more innovative and resilient solutions. In collaborative environments, diversity strengthens coordination and ensures that infrastructure decisions reflect the needs of the people they serve.”

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from a mentor?

“One of the most impactful lessons I received was to always understand the load path before starting calculations. If you understand how forces move through a structure, the analysis becomes logical rather than mechanical. That mindset has shaped how I approach every project and has strengthened my engineering judgment. Also, a handy sketch that illustrates the engineering scenario always helps before diving into a more detailed design.”

Celebrating Engineers Who Lead with Responsibility

Alphonse’s approach to engineering reflects a strong foundation in fundamentals, thoughtful problem‑solving, and a clear understanding of the responsibility engineers carry. His commitment to precision, ownership, and continuous learning embodies the values we celebrate during National Engineers Week.

We’re proud to recognize Alphonse and the many engineers whose expertise and dedication help shape resilient, safe, and well‑designed infrastructure every day.