World Engineering Day: The Backbone Behind Every ICON Project
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
At ICON, structural engineers provide the backbone of every project. Their role goes far beyond calculations on paper—they are responsible for balancing logic, safety, efficiency, and budget throughout the design process. ICON’s structural engineering team is expected to deliver solutions that not only meet and exceed client expectations, but are also safe, durable, cost-effective, and adaptable for future use.
With years of experience and a deep understanding of current design standards, ICON’s engineers design flexible building systems that can evolve alongside the communities they serve. To celebrate World Engineering Day, we sat down with two of ICON’s in-house structural engineers—Tim Olson and Michael Jochim—to learn more about their paths into engineering and the impact of their work.
Tim Olson, Structural Engineer
What inspired you to become a structural engineer?
I come from a family of engineers. I was exposed to engineering early so that made the decision on a career path pretty easy. I like the challenge of figuring out how things need to go together to make a structure work.
What’s one project you’re especially proud of and why?
Killdeer High School – I liked the mix of structural systems and complexity of building on a site with pronounced grade changes.
What’s the biggest problem structural engineers help solve every day?
Figuring out how to provide a sound structure while allowing space for all the other disciplines to make the building functional.
What’s one thing people might not realize about structural engineering?
Even with the advances in building codes and technology, engineering judgement based on available information and experience remains an important aspect of the profession.
What advice would you give to students interested in engineering?
Take as many math and science classes as you can. Do a job shadow or internship to help decide what discipline of engineering suits you best.
Michael Jochim, Structural Engineer
What inspired you to become a structural engineer?
I spent my childhood obsessed with building the biggest LEGO towers and structures possible. I loved the math, the sketching, and the colors of the finished product. People often think that math and art are opposite, but that’s simply not true. I chose structural engineering because it incorporates the precision of math and the artistry of visual design, and every day here at ICON I get to do both.
What’s one project you’re especially proud of and why?
Mandan High School is a project that I’m especially proud of. Because of its scale, it was a massive undertaking that pushed our small structural team to the limit. The architectural desires of large, open spaces with curved roofs challenged our typical design conventions, and designing the cantilevered balcony seating in the auditorium presented a new puzzle. It required some serious math and design ideas to make sure the space still felt open and sightlines weren’t compromised. I’m proud to have been a part of such a feature project that will be a part of this community for years to come.
What’s the biggest problem structural engineers help solve every day?
The biggest problem structural engineers help solve every day is withstanding the elements. In North Dakota, that means designing for the snow loads from blizzards and the relentless winds of the open prairie. Buildings are constantly being acted on by some force, and if we do our job correctly, people never even notice.
What’s one thing people might not realize about structural engineering?
People don’t realize that we are the ones who make the cool, crazy building the architect draws possible. Working here at ICON, I collaborate with architects all day. We work together to find a way to take their vision for a building and turn it into a reality. The designs we work on today become the exciting, safe spaces our communities use tomorrow. Sure, the architect gets all the credit for the building, but the structural engineer makes sure that building stands the test of time.
What advice would you give to students interested in engineering?
Don’t just learn how to do math, learn how to communicate that math to others. Take the math classes and technology classes in school, but don’t forget that you will have to communicate your ideas to others as well. Find time to do hands-on activities, whether through school or a job. If you learn how things are built and how they work, you will be a better engineer in the future.
On World Engineering Day, we celebrate the problem-solvers, collaborators, and innovators who quietly shape the spaces we use every day. At ICON, our structural engineers combine technical expertise with creativity and judgment to design buildings that are safe, resilient, and built for the future. Their work may often go unseen—but it is essential, enduring, and foundational to every successful project.
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