At Prudent Engineering, our team's strength comes from experience, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence. We’re proud to spotlight Construction Inspector Susan Case, whose nearly 35 years in heavy highway and bridge construction reflect the dedication and leadership that drive our work forward across New York State.

Following our celebration of National Engineers Week, this spotlight serves as a fitting bridge (pun intended) into Women's History Month 2026. Susan’s career reflects the impact, resilience, and leadership women continue to bring to the engineering and construction industry.

From hands-on field experience to project leadership and client coordination, Susan’s journey represents the depth of knowledge and perspective that define quality construction inspection. In this Q&A, she shares insights on her career path, the value of field-earned experience, and the meaningful role infrastructure plays in serving our communities.

How did your career at Prudent Engineering begin, and what experience or training led you to your current role?

My career at Prudent Engineering began with persistence, specifically, Beverly Strachan’s. In the heavy highway and bridge industry, the professional community is close-knit, and you tend to cross paths with the same people throughout your career. At the time, I was working on the contractor side as a Project Manager for Economy Paving, after managing bridge projects and serving on the cashless tolling project. Beverly reached out multiple times, telling me she believed I would be a great fit for Prudent. At first, I wasn’t interested in making a change but her belief in me and her consistency eventually opened the door. By the fourth call, I found myself filling out paperwork and joining the Prudent Engineering team. I started as an Office Engineer on a NYSDOT railroad project, and it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I valued Beverly’s leadership and mentorship. Our shared values and approach to the industry created a natural connection, and I saw her as someone I genuinely wanted to learn from.

My path into engineering began long before Prudent. I grew up in construction; my father was a superintendent, project manager, and estimator for D&H Construction in Rome, New York. At 14, I started working alongside him, learning the industry from the ground up, sealing driveways, forming and pouring concrete, and eventually operating equipment to screen topsoil and load out material. That early hands-on exposure created a deep respect for infrastructure, heavy equipment, and large-scale construction that has stayed with me ever since. I pursued a degree in civil engineering while working in the field, including time with CCI Companies and later as a Construction Inspector with the NYSDOT in Region 2&7 While I valued the experience, I gravitated toward more hands-on, fast-paced work and returned to the contractor side, where I gained experience across a wide range of projects; including utilities, drainage, paving, bridges, blasting, and large-scale infrastructure work.

Those experiences led me into leadership roles, including Superintendent and Project Manager positions, before ultimately transitioning to Prudent Engineering. Today, my role has evolved into a hybrid position that blends field operations, client coordination, mentoring, staffing, and leadership support. I work across projects as a liaison, Office Engineer, Construction Inspector, and team resource helping solve problems, support staff, and keep projects moving forward.

Every stage of my career, field laborer, inspector, contractor, manager, and engineer has shaped how I lead and how I support others. The hands-on experience, the challenges, the setbacks, and the constantly changing environment of construction taught me adaptability, resilience, and perspective. Most importantly, they taught me how to stay grounded, manage pressure, and lead with calm and clarity. There’s no substitute for feet-on-the-ground experience and every step of my journey prepared me for the role I’m in today.

How long have you been with Prudent Engineering, and what professional growth or experience have you gained during that time?

This September marks six years with Prudent Engineering. During that time, I’ve grown through working with strong leaders, supportive teams, and dedicated professionals across disciplines. I’ve learned that real leadership is about integrity, mentorship, and collaboration, not just titles. Prudent has helped shape me into a more confident professional and a stronger leader within my role, and I’m grateful for the growth, relationships, and opportunities along the way.

What do you enjoy most about working in Construction Inspection, particularly on NYS projects?

What I enjoy most about Construction Inspection is the people and their stories. I love learning, and I’ve found that when you take the time to talk with crews in the field, you’re always gaining something new, a trick of the trade, a more precise solution, a smarter approach, or a more cost-effective method. There’s an incredible amount of knowledge in the field, and I value the opportunity to learn directly from the people doing the work. With nearly 35 years of experience, I’m still learning something new every day and that’s one of the things I love most about this profession. Working on NYS projects has given me a deep appreciation for the standards, complexity, and impact of the work, knowing that what we do truly serves communities across the state.

How has your role or perspective evolved since you first started at Prudent?

When I started at Prudent Engineering, I was focused on learning the role and doing everything right. Now, my perspective has expanded beyond the tasks to the relationships. I see myself as a bridge (no pun intended) between the field and the office, between contractors and clients, and between problems and solutions. I’ve learned that trust, communication, and respect are just as important as technical knowledge, and that leadership often looks like listening, learning, and helping others succeed.

What do you find most rewarding about being part of the Prudent Engineering team?

I find project completions to be the most rewarding part of my work. Being involved from the initial plans on paper, through every step of the process, and finally seeing a ribbon-cutting ceremony is incredibly fulfilling. Whether it’s opening a bridge that improves connections or paving a road that shapes the future, there’s something special about seeing the finished project and knowing how it will serve the traveling public.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in Construction Inspection?

I would tell women considering a career in construction inspection to never let fear stand in the way of their dreams. This field is challenging, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and grow. Trust your skills, ask questions, speak up, and don’t be afraid to step into spaces where you may be the only woman in the room—your perspective and contributions are valuable. I’m especially proud that my 23-year-old daughter followed in my footsteps, earned her degree in civil engineering, and is now working in construction inspection herself.