Engineers Week 2018 - Meet Ed Duell

With more than 25 years of experience in aerodynamic and aeroacoustic design and commissioning work for wind tunnels, Ed Duell serves as Jacobs’ manager for advanced technology and chief engineer.

During National Engineers Week, he shares more details.

Tell us what you do. 

I earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in Aerospace Engineering. I have more than 25 years of experience with aerodynamic and aeroacoustic design and commissioning work for wind tunnels for the global automotive and aerospace industries. I work with a team of experts on test facility designs, modernizations and construction projects.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering? 

Engineering is in my family blood, so I guess you could say it was pre-determined. My father, uncle, brother, sister, many cousins and now my nephew and nieces were or are engineers.  

What has been your most exciting career moment so far? 

It’s always exciting when we win an award for a new, big project after a long marketing effort. It’s also especially memorable (and nerve-wracking) when we take a new facility into operation at maximum design point for the first time. That’s the real confirmation of the design work! 

If you could go back in time and work on any engineering project, what would it be? 

I’d be involved in the early development of airplanes during the first half of the 20th century. There was so much to learn and develop, and it was all being done for the first time. 

What is your favorite part of your job? 

I have two favorite parts – the first is seeing our design work come to reality on a construction site and then getting to evaluate how that facility performs relative to design so we can continually improve our projects. The second is helping younger engineers develop their skills and finding opportunities for them to achieve their career potential. 

If you’re not in the office, you’re likely…

In the mountains, hiking or biking up a mountain in the summer or skiing down the slopes in the winter.  

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I am a life-long cyclist and have ridden 100,000+ miles and in 10 countries.

What advice would you give to the future generation of engineers? 

Work to your strengths. Find out what you are good at (and enjoy) and focus on that.