Building for the Future: Discussing the Value of Engineering with Ardurra Group’s Ernesto Aguilar

In Part 2 of our conversation with Ardurra on Engineering Influence, host Jeff Urbanchuk picks back up with Ernesto Aguilar, President and CEO of Ardurra Group, diving deeper into the topics that matter most to engineering firm leaders right now.

After covering Ardurra’s meteoric rise from a small regional firm to a national water and infrastructure leader, Jeff and Ernesto shift the focus to what sustains that growth over the long haul. Ernesto shares his perspective on one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: workforce development. Attracting the next generation of engineers, retaining top talent in a competitive market, and building a culture where people actually want to build their careers.

The episode also explores the accelerating role of technology in engineering practice. From AI to digital delivery tools, Ernesto reflects on how Ardura is approaching innovation. What does it mean to future-proof a firm? What tools are actually moving the needle?

And then there’s the question of value — perhaps the most important and most underrated conversation in the industry. Ernesto makes a compelling case for why engineering firms need to start articulating the true impact of their work.

Missed Part 1? Go back and listen to hear how Ardurra grew from a regional firm to a national infrastructure powerhouse!