Employee Spotlight: Engineering What’s Beneath the Surface
Meet Kemp Lewis
When Kemp Lewis drives through his hometown of Cedar Park, Texas, he sees more than roads, bridges, and buildings—he sees the intricate network of infrastructure beneath it all. As a Senior Engineer in Schnabel Engineering’s Austin office, Kemp brings over a decade of geotechnical and tunneling expertise to some of the region’s most critical underground projects. His path to underground engineering started with a fascination for infrastructure as a kid and was shaped by strong mentorship and hands-on experience. Now, five years into his career at Schnabel, Kemp is helping shape the future—one tunnel at a time.
Building a Career from the Ground Down
Kemp’s engineering journey began early. “As a kid, I’d wake up my sisters during road trips whenever we crossed a bridge—I thought they were too cool to miss!” That early curiosity led him to the University of Texas at Austin, where influential professors like Dr. Jorge Zornberg and guest lecturer Lizan Gilbert opened his eyes to the world beneath the surface. He began his career working on tunnel construction and later returned to the tunneling world when he joined Schnabel.
“I wanted to work on complex projects and see them through to final design,” Kemp explains. “Schnabel gave me the opportunity to do just that.”
Invisible but Indispensable
What Kemp enjoys most about his work is exactly what many never notice: “Most people don’t think about how underground infrastructure gets there or even that it exists. Yet it’s essential to modern life.” From massive tunnels under city streets to deep water intakes beneath reservoirs, the scale and technical complexity of the projects he works on is staggering—and rewarding.
One such project is especially close to home: BCRUA Phase 2 Raw Water Delivery System and water treatment facilities, which help secure the future water supply for his hometown and surrounding communities. “It’s exciting to work on something so impactful, and it’s fun to share my work with friends and neighbors.”
Lessons Learned Below the Surface
Kemp’s advice to young engineers is simple: get in the field. “Watch geotechnical drilling, observe construction, and—most importantly—talk to the people doing the work,” he says. “Ask questions, learn their perspective, and show them you’re invested. You’ll gain practical insight and earn respect at the same time.”
A Culture Built on Expertise and Collaboration
Kemp is quick to credit Schnabel’s culture for fostering growth, excellence, and collaboration. “As an employee-owned company, Schnabel encourages every individual to make an impact,” he says. “There’s a real emphasis on mentorship, sharing expertise, and working across business units to solve complex problems.”
He also appreciates the wide range of projects Schnabel tackles. “Where else do you get to work on 22-foot tunnels in Austin, restore historic mines in the Rockies, and help design a new bridge over the Potomac?”
Schnabel’s support for professional development, he adds, is equally impressive. From internal programs that promote cross-office collaboration to opportunities that help employees explore new specialties, the firm invests in making better engineers—and helping them find the work they’re most passionate about.
A Culture Built on Expertise and Collaboration
Kemp is quick to credit Schnabel’s culture for fostering growth, excellence, and collaboration. “As an employee-owned company, Schnabel encourages every individual to make an impact,” he says. “There’s a real emphasis on mentorship, sharing expertise, and working across business units to solve complex problems.”
He also appreciates the wide range of projects Schnabel tackles. “Where else do you get to work on 22-foot tunnels in Austin, restore historic mines in the Rockies, and help design a new bridge over the Potomac?”
Schnabel’s support for professional development, he adds, is equally impressive. From internal programs that promote cross-office collaboration to opportunities that help employees explore new specialties, the firm invests in making better engineers—and helping them find the work they’re most passionate about.
Life Above Ground
When he’s not tackling complex underground engineering challenges, Kemp enjoys a hobby that requires patience—and plenty of sunlight. He grows haworthia succulents and other cacti from seed, nurturing these slow-growing plants as a creative and calming outlet. Alongside this, he combines his engineering skills and artistic side by crafting his own concrete planters, bringing a touch of creativity to his time above ground.
Kemp Lewis embodies what it means to be a Schnabel engineer: curious, driven, collaborative, and committed to solving the complex challenges beneath our feet. His work not only supports essential infrastructure but also contributes to the quality of life in the communities he serves—including his own.
I wanted to work on complex projects and see them through to final design. Schnabel gave me the opportunity to do just that.