Sharia Roberts, a project engineer at Kiewit, exemplifies the company’s commitment to fostering talent and supporting women in STEM. From her early passion for building things as a child to her dynamic career progression within Kiewit, Sharia’s story highlights adaptability, skill development and the value of diverse opportunities. In this Q&A, we explore her career journey, the importance of mentorship and networking in her success, and how Kiewit’s involvement in initiatives like the SWE conference reinforces the company’s dedication to empowering women in the field.
Can you walk us through your career journey at Kiewit so far?
“I initially joined Kiewit on a contract basis as a field engineer at Cove Point. Later, I officially became a full-time field engineer with Kiewit as an experienced hire, having already spent about nine years in the industry. In Kiewit’s Southwest District, I progressed from an office engineer role to a project engineer. I then transferred to Kiewit’s oil, gas and chemical engineering team about two and a half years ago in the project engineering role. I’m now learning project engineering from the engineering design perspective.”
What motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
“I think it started with arts and crafts; I like to make and build things. When I was a kid, I decided that I wanted to be an architect because I thought they were the ones who built all the buildings. I was not formally introduced to engineering until I was in college, and in pursuit of wanting to build and be as involved as I possibly could, I found civil engineering. That same motivation to build cool things is what brought me into this field.”
What do you think has been the biggest factor in your career growth?
“Adaptability and being open to try new opportunities.”
What are your key responsibilities at Kiewit?
“Currently my key responsibilities are mostly rooted in coordination. As a project engineer, I take the scope of work that I’m assigned and facilitate the interface between the various disciplines, functions and stakeholders to ensure that deliverables are submitted in accordance with the schedule and contract. As part of the project management team, I assist where needed.”
Can you share an example of a recent project or task that you’re particularly proud of? What was your role in it?
“I was tasked with leading the client value engineering evaluations and submittals for a FEED verification project. This included coordination with the client’s engineering team via various workshops and submitting design change packages for final approval. The team was successful in completing all 56 evaluations, getting approval from the client and ensuring that these value engineering items were incorporated into our estimate as per the schedule.”
Talk about the importance of the SWE conference and how excited you are to attend.
“This is my first time attending the SWE conference, and I’m truly honored to represent Kiewit at such an impactful event. I’m excited about the opportunity to hear from inspiring keynote speakers, connect with talented candidates from across the country, and build relationships with other women leaders in the industry. The chance to network, exchange ideas, and be part of a community that’s driving change in engineering is incredibly motivating, and I’m eager to bring back new insights and energy to my team.”
Why is it so important to have Kiewit as a sponsor of the event?
“It’s important to have Kiewit as a sponsor because it reflects the company’s genuine commitment to supporting women in STEM and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. While many in the industry talk about diversity, there’s often a gap between words and meaningful action. Kiewit is setting itself apart by taking intentional steps to lead by example, not just in policy but through visible actions, like sponsoring events that empower women engineers. This sponsorship shows Kiewit’s dedication to creating lasting change and fostering a more inclusive environment in the industry.”
