Civiltech congratulates Jeff Lange, P.E., who was named Director of Construction Engineering Services in April. Jeff’s promotion to Director is part of Civiltech’s continued growth and long-term planning. Jeff’s career at Civiltech has spanned over 28 years and brings outstanding leadership and expertise to the role. In this article, Jeff shares his background, insights, and plans for the future of the Construction Engineering Services department.
What is your background with Civiltech?
I joined Civiltech as a co-op student after my sophomore year of college and was fortunate to gain experience in many phases of transportation engineering, including traffic studies, design, construction inspection, materials testing, and surveying. I worked for three summers and two semesters as a co-op student. That experience gave me a strong understanding of how projects come together and the importance of teamwork across every engineering discipline. After graduating, I joined Civiltech full time and progressed through roles as Construction Engineer, Resident Engineer, Project Manager, and now Director. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors who guided me, the coworkers who supported me, and the clients who trusted our team. They’ve all played an important role in my career. 
What do you enjoy about Construction Engineering?
I enjoy that no two projects are ever the same. Every project presents new challenges and different people to work with. Construction engineering is unique because it brings together multiple transportation specialties. Roadway, structural, drainage, traffic, electrical and environmental engineers all work toward a common goal of successfully delivering projects in the communities that we live in. I also enjoy collaborating with clients, contractors, and our design teams to find practical solutions while keeping projects moving forward. It’s rewarding to drive past a completed project and know our work improved the community by making travel safer and more efficient for the people who use it every day.
What are your goals for this role and the Construction Engineering department?
My primary goal is to build on the strong foundation already established. Civiltech has developed an outstanding reputation because of the leadership that came before me and the talented people that I’ve worked alongside over the years. I look forward to helping build on that success. I want to preserve our collaborative culture while continuing to grow the department and to create opportunities for our staff. Mentorship is especially important to me. We have experienced professionals with decades of knowledge, and I want to make sure that experience is shared with the next generation of engineers. I’m also excited about incorporating emerging technologies such as AI to streamline routine tasks, enhance efficiency, and enable our staff to devote more time to solving engineering challenges, expanding their skills and expertise, and delivering value to our clients.
What do you enjoy the most about working with the Construction Engineering staff?
The people. Construction engineering is a team effort, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredibly talented professionals throughout my career. I enjoy seeing people develop confidence, solve increasingly complex challenges, and eventually become mentors themselves. I also value the camaraderie that develops when teams come together to overcome unexpected challenges. Whether facing difficult weather conditions, long hours, or high-stakes situations, there is something special about seeing everyone step up, support one another, and work toward a common goal. Some of the most memorable and rewarding moments in my career have come during these demanding situations, when teamwork, dedication, and trust make success possible. One of the most rewarding parts of leadership is watching newer engineers, inspectors, and technicians grow into respected professionals. I find it especially rewarding when I can play even a small role in someone’s career development.
To what do you attribute the Construction Engineering department’s continued growth and success?
I think our growth comes down to relationships and reputation. We’ve built long-term trust with our clients by consistently delivering quality work, being responsive, and taking ownership of every project. Internally, we’ve created an environment where people enjoy working together and helping one another succeed. We invest in emerging professionals, encourage questions, and give people opportunities to grow. This attracts talented people and encourages them to build long careers here.
What current Construction Engineering projects are you most excited about?
All our projects have exciting aspects, and I value all of our client relationships. I would love to highlight them all. But to answer the question, two current projects come to mind. The US 14 Underpass in the Village of Barrington is exciting because of the level of coordination required between a wide range of stakeholders to successfully deliver a complex transportation project. On a personal level, the Braintree Drive reconstruction in Schaumburg is meaningful to me because it’s in the neighborhood where I grew up. I spent many hours riding my bike on that street as a kid, so having the opportunity to help rebuild it is a full-circle moment. 
Can you share a funny story or interesting anecdote from your career?
One story that I’ll never forget happened long before cell phones were common. I was purchasing an engagement ring and gave the jeweler our field office phone number because I did not want them to call my parents or siblings at my house and the field office seemed like the safest and easiest way to reach me. One of my coworkers answered the call while I was on the jobsite, quickly figured out what I was planning, and decided to have a little fun and hung up a big “Will You Marry Me?” sign across the wall for all to see. Needless to say, my secret was out. It all worked out though as we’ve now been married for many years, and my wife even spent about ten years working at Civiltech herself. It’s a memory that reminds me of the friendships you build throughout your career as you end up sharing in each other’s life journeys as well as building amazing projects and careers together.