From Technical to Transformational: Apurva Sawant’s Road to Project Leadership

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Apurva Sawant, a transportation project manager at Jacobs, whose professional and personal journey spans continents, disciplines, and leadership roles. Apurva reflects on her early years in India, where an unexpected spark of curiosity led her toward engineering—a field that would eventually guide her across the world to the United States. She shares how Denver, with its thriving infrastructure community and opportunities for growth, became the place she chose to call home. Apurva opens up about the pivotal mentors who helped shape her path, offering insight into how thoughtful guidance supported her shift from hands-on technical work to managing complex projects and leading diverse teams. She discusses what it means to build confidence in your expertise, how to recognize your potential, and why strong mentorship can make all the difference—especially for young professionals navigating the early stages of their careers. Throughout the conversation, Apurva provides actionable advice for rising engineers: be proactive, ask questions early and often, embrace collaboration, and seek out mentors who challenge and support you. She also shares her broader vision as a project leader—driving work that meaningfully improves communities, from safer transportation systems to more accessible infrastructure, while inspiring the next generation of engineering professionals. This episode offers an honest and motivating look at career growth, leadership development, and the power of building supportive networks within the engineering industry.