The Impactful Engineer Project - Mentorship, Career Growth, and Personal & Professional Excellence for Aspiring Engineers

Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers
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Spreading awareness, success, and accessibility to the world of engineering to aspiring and early career engineers.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 137 – You’re Already Building a Personal Brand… It Might Be Working Against You!

    Most engineers think personal brand is fluff—or something reserved for influencers and executives. That mindset is costing careers. In this episode, Steve Maxey and Jake Maxey break down what “personal brand” actually means for engineers, why you already have one whether you like it or not, and how unintentional behavior is quietly working against you. This isn’t theory—this is practical, tactical advice grounded in real engineering careers and real outcomes.  Episode 137 - Transcript Key Topics Covered • What personal brand really is: reputation plus awareness • Why “doing good work quietly” is no longer enough • How engineers accidentally build negative brands without realizing it • The difference between being technically competent and being known • Why consistency matters more than talent when it comes to reputation • How visibility attracts opportunities, mentors, and leverage • The danger of being everything to everyone—and nothing to anyone • Why complaining online damages your career more than you think • How engineers who lean into soft skills stand out faster Actionable Steps • Audit how coworkers, leaders, and peers would describe you today • Decide what you want to be known for—then act accordingly • Be consistent in how you communicate, respond, and show up • Start engaging intentionally on LinkedIn instead of lurking • Share insights, not complaints—digital history is permanent • Focus on one or two strengths instead of random messaging • Build awareness outside your immediate workplace • Reach out to people in your industry without an agenda • Treat reputation as a long-term asset, not a side effect Who This Episode Is For • Engineers feeling overlooked despite strong technical skills • Early-career engineers who want faster growth and visibility • Burned-out high performers stuck in execution mode • Engineers who avoid self-promotion and pay the price • Professionals who want more control over their career trajectory Why It Matters Your energy, visibility, and reputation compound over time—positively or negatively. The engineers who advance aren’t just capable; they’re clear, consistent, and known. If you don’t take ownership of your personal brand, others will define it for you—and not in your favor. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts

    32 min

  2. JAN 5

    Episode 136 – Why Being the Best Engineer Isn’t Advancing Your Career

    You can be a top-performing engineer and still be stuck—underpaid, overlooked, and frustrated. In this episode, Steve Maxey and Jake Maxey break down why technical excellence alone doesn’t move careers forward. This conversation was sparked by a real example: a highly competent engineer, ten years into his career, still earning well below market rate. Not because he isn’t good—but because he isn’t visible. This episode is not theory—practical, tactical advice for engineers who want clarity, leverage, and real career momentum.  Key Topics Covered • Why results don’t advocate for you on their own • The difference between being productive and being visible • How managers and leadership actually decide who advances • Why loyalty and “head-down work” can quietly cap your pay • The role of self-advocacy in raises, promotions, and opportunity • How misalignment with your organization reveals itself • What happens when leadership doesn’t know who you are • Why asking directly for compensation clarity matters • How career stagnation compounds over time Actionable Steps • Audit your compensation against market rates • Define a clear income target instead of vague “growth” goals • Ask your manager directly what it takes to reach that number • Document your impact in terms leadership cares about • Increase visibility through meetings, updates, and ownership • Schedule recurring check-ins to track progress—not hope • Study how promoted engineers behave, not just what they produce • Test whether your organization rewards advocacy or silence • Decide whether patience or change is the right next move Who This Episode Is For • Engineers who feel underpaid despite strong performance • High-performing ICs stuck without promotion traction • Engineers relying on effort instead of leverage • Loyal team members questioning whether it’s worth it • Anyone tired of guessing how advancement really works Why It Matters Careers don’t stall because of a lack of effort—they stall because of a lack of clarity and visibility. When your work speaks but you don’t, someone else gets the credit. This episode connects energy, action, and advocacy so your performance actually turns into opportunity instead of burnout. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    16 min

  3. 12/29/2025

    Episode 135 – Unspoken Expectations Are Killing Your Projects and Your Career

    In this episode, Steve and Jake break down what ownership actually looks like in the real world—not theory, not slogans, but practical, tactical advice engineers can use immediately. They unpack why most project failures aren’t caused by bad intent or incompetence, but by assumed expectations, poor follow-up, and misplaced blame. If you want better outcomes without burning yourself out, this episode will challenge how you think about ownership, communication, and leadership. Key Topics Covered • Why ownership is about eliminating blame—not absorbing guilt  • How unspoken expectations quietly create resentment and rework  • The difference between micromanagement and proactive leadership  • Why “I already told them once” is a dangerous assumption  • How reminder systems dramatically increase project success rates  • Using data—not emotion—to diagnose failures and adjust execution  • Why engineers confuse independence with effectiveness  • How trust changes the way expectations are received  • When letting something fail is actually the right leadership move Actionable Steps • State expectations clearly before work starts—even when they seem obvious  • Follow up more than feels necessary; assume people are overloaded, not careless  • Replace blame with data: what failed, when, and why  • Build simple reminder systems to close execution gaps  • Frame expectations around winning and outcomes, not authority  • Adjust your communication style quickly when working with new teams  • Track one variable at a time when fixing broken processes  • Take responsibility for information flow, not just your task list  • Ask: “What would increase the odds of success by 10–30%?”—then do that Who This Episode Is For • Engineers frustrated by repeated project breakdowns  • High performers who feel like they carry more than their share  • Early-career engineers learning how leadership actually works  • ICs trying to increase impact without burning out  • Engineers stepping into informal or formal leadership roles Why It Matters Unclear expectations don’t just slow projects down—they quietly damage trust, drain energy, and stall careers. Engineers who master ownership without blame stand out fast. They deliver better results, build stronger teams, and create momentum instead of friction. Where to Listen Spotify  Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    21 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    Episode 134 – The Trap of Being the “Efficient Engineer”

    You can be busy, productive, and highly praised—and still stall your career. In this episode, Steve and Jake Maxey break down one of the most dangerous traps ambitious engineers fall into: prioritizing speed and execution over real learning. This conversation is about depth, focus, and long-term leverage—not theory, but practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately. If you want to grow into leadership, avoid burnout, and build skills that actually compound, this episode is required listening.  Key Topics Covered • Why being “the fastest engineer in the room” can quietly limit your ceiling • The difference between knowing the what/how and truly understanding the why • How engineers become execution machines—and why companies reward it (at your expense) • Aggressive patience: working hard without rushing past learning • How shallow repetition kills long-term leverage and career mobility • Using modern tools (including AI) to extract deeper lessons from daily work • Why consistent small wins matter more than occasional big projects • The hidden cost of distractions masquerading as “balance” • How focus—not talent—separates impactful engineers from overlooked ones Actionable Steps • Slow down just enough to extract lessons from every task you complete • Ask “why does this matter?” before moving on to the next assignment • Build a habit of documenting insights, not just deliverables • Use AI or senior engineers to peel back fundamentals in real time • Identify where your current work does not apply—and why • Reduce distractions that don’t serve your long-term goals • Optimize for skill transfer, not short-term praise • Track consistency of execution, not just outcomes • Choose depth in one area before chasing the next shiny task Who This Episode Is For • Early-career engineers who feel busy but unsure they’re growing • High-performing ICs who get praised but overlooked for bigger opportunities • Engineers on the edge of burnout from constant execution • Professionals who want leadership leverage, not just technical output • Anyone tired of feeling productive without feeling fulfilled Why It Matters Efficiency alone won’t build a meaningful career. Engineers who focus only on speed become replaceable, while engineers who understand systems, context, and impact become leaders. Depth creates visibility. Focus builds leverage. And learning the why is what allows you to carry value anywhere—across roles, companies, and industries. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    26 min

  5. 12/15/2025

    Episode 133 – Stop Chasing Promotions. Start Being Useful.

    Most engineers stall their careers not because they lack talent—but because they stay trapped inside the task in front of them. In this episode, Steve Maxey and Jake Maxey (Owner & Principal Engineer at NLS Engineering) break down why being useful is the real force multiplier in engineering careers. This is not theory—practical, tactical advice on how usefulness compounds faster than credentials, experience, or job titles, and why engineers who think beyond their scope earn more trust, better work, and faster growth. Key Topics Covered • What “being useful” actually means in real engineering work—not buzzwords • Why executing tasks alone keeps you invisible and replaceable • How usefulness outperforms raw technical expertise over time • The difference between completing work and compounding value • Why scope blindness quietly kills career momentum • How to use inversion thinking to instantly increase your impact • Serving beyond expectations—and without immediate reward • Why the most trusted engineers get the hardest, highest-visibility work • How usefulness creates leverage across teams, projects, and leadership Actionable Steps • Ask “what problem does this task solve?” before starting any assignment • Identify the pain point around the task, not just inside it • Offer to remove friction for teammates before being asked • Audit the work you’re doing for cost, risk, and downstream impact • Bring alternatives, not just execution • Learn why decisions were made—not just what was decided • Volunteer for ambiguity instead of avoiding it • Spend extra time where usefulness compounds, not where effort looks busy • Stop waiting for permission to think like an owner Who This Episode Is For • Engineers doing “good work” but not getting noticed • Early-career engineers who want to accelerate trust and responsibility • Burned-out engineers stuck in task execution mode • High-performing ICs who feel capped without authority • Engineers who want leadership impact without formal titles Why It Matters Promotions don’t come from doing more tasks—they come from increasing leverage. Usefulness connects energy, visibility, and execution into a compounding system. When you consistently make others more effective, you stop chasing opportunity—and opportunity starts finding you. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    25 min

  6. 12/08/2025

    Episode 132 – The Golden Opportunity for Young Engineers to Build Their Careers: Jake Maxey joins “The Construction Corner” podcast with Dillon Mitchell

    Young engineers keep asking how to get ahead, stand out, or break into the industry. This episode gives them the real playbook. Jake joins Dillon Mitchell on The Construction Corner Podcast to break down how he built his engineering career from zero connections, zero clarity, and zero direction—into a high-impact operator and now founder of NLS Engineering. Not theory—practical, tactical advice grounded in real experience. Key Topics Covered • Why “showing up” is the unfair advantage most young engineers ignore  • The mindset shift that separates high performers from complainers  • How Jake broke into AEC with no experience and turned it into a career  • Why usefulness—not talent—is the currency that moves careers forward  • The real reason career fairs, events, and meetups change everything  • Tactical ways to become the person decision-makers want to hire  • How to think clearly about anxiety, action, and preparation  • Why engineering firms win or lose based on talent, visibility, and courage  • The hidden value of mentorship programs like ACE for early-career engineers  • How relationships—not résumés—create long-term career momentum Actionable Steps • Go to every industry event you can—opportunity is a volume game  • Build relationships before you “need” them  • Write a real cover letter focused on how you’ll help the firm win  • Send video intros when applying—stand out immediately  • Learn to call people instead of hiding behind email  • Practice being useful: ask clients, contractors, and maintainers what matters  • Treat anxiety as a signal to prepare, not freeze  • Study the business side of engineering—understand money, timelines, risk  • Take responsibility first, blame never  • Show up consistently for months—not days—and let the compounding work Who This Episode Is For • Early-career engineers who feel invisible or overlooked  • Students who want a roadmap to get hired quickly  • Engineers stuck in “wait and see” mode who need to take ownership  • High-performers who want more responsibility and impact  • Anyone frustrated with the job market and ready to try a better strategy Why It Matters Your career is built on visibility, usefulness, and action—not wishful thinking.  Engineers who consistently show up, contribute, and build relationships win faster, avoid burnout, and create opportunities most people never see. This episode gives you the mindset and tactics to do exactly that. Where to Listen Spotify  Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    1h 5m

  7. 12/01/2025

    Episode 131 – The PE Exam Isn’t Hard; Your Approach Is.

    Passing the PE exam isn’t about being the smartest engineer in the room—it’s about having a strategy. In this episode, Jake breaks down the exact system he used to pass the Power PE while working full-time, raising a family, and refusing to waste months in overbuilt study courses. This isn’t theory—this is practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to get licensed without burning out.  Key Topics Covered• Why your PE prep starts on Day 1 of your engineering career, not 4 years later • How to track every project so your PE application basically writes itself • The two categories of project documentation engineers ignore—and why both matter • What PE reviewers actually look for in your experience narrative • How to record decision-making, trade-offs, and technical judgment that prove growth • A simple, repeatable process to build your personal “experience database” • The study approach that saves you months: identify weaknesses before studying • A practical, momentum-first test-day strategy that reduces stress and boosts accuracy • How to categorize exam questions into easy/medium/hard, lookup vs. math • Why building judgment around order-of-magnitude checks can save you on tough questions Actionable Steps• Start documenting every project today—scope, dates, fees, cost, square footage, systems • Capture factual statements (“designed X,” “calculated Y”) after each project • Capture decision-making—trade-offs, constraints, who you coordinated with, and why • Keep a running list of supervising PEs and which projects you completed under each • During PE prep, spend the first 1–2 weeks only on problems to find your weak areas • Build a ranked study list based on where you struggle—not what a course tells you • Create your own “fundamentals card” of the few core equations you actually need • On exam day, scan all questions and label them: easy / medium / hard + lookup / math • Complete all easy questions first to build momentum, then tackle medium, then hard • If stuck, set a cutoff time, eliminate obvious wrong answers, choose the most logical option, and move on Who This Episode Is For• Engineers preparing for the PE exam (any discipline) • Early-career AEC engineers who want a roadmap before they start studying • Engineers overwhelmed by the application process or unsure how to track experience • Busy professionals balancing PE prep with work, kids, and life • Anyone who wants a clear, proven, no-BS strategy instead of anxiety and guesswork Why It MattersYour PE license isn’t just a test score—it’s a signal that you can think clearly, make sound decisions, and document real engineering judgment. When you build the right system—project tracking, strategic study, and a test-day plan—you remove the guesswork and take control of your career. The result? More credibility, more opportunity, and more leverage in every role you take on. Where to ListenSpotify  Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Or wherever you get your podcasts. ShareIf this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    28 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Episode 130 – You’re Not Owed Anything: Reciprocity Is the Real Engine of Your Career

    Intro Most engineers want promotions, recognition, and bigger opportunities—but few understand the real driver behind all of it: reciprocity. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down how giving more than you take, especially early in your career, becomes a force multiplier for visibility, trust, and long-term growth. Not theory—practical, tactical advice pulled from real engineering leadership experience and real conversations in the field. Key Topics Covered• Why reciprocity is a career accelerant—not a feel-good idea  • How “doing small jobs well” sets you up for big opportunities later  • Why most engineers stay invisible in their organization  • How relationships with leadership directly impact promotions  • The trap of “staying in your lane” and waiting to be noticed  • Why engineers underestimate how much effort is required early in their career  • The difference between delivering projects vs. being top-of-mind  • The danger of underserving customers, teammates, or cross-functional partners  • How to reset your reputation when you switch companies or roles  • Why aggressive patience matters—relentless input, patient expectation Actionable Steps• Give more value than you expect back—especially early in your career  • Take on unglamorous tasks and over-deliver  • Follow up with people consistently, even when no project is on the table  • Ask better questions when networking: dig into pain points, goals, constraints  • Build visibility with leaders before you need it  • Connect the dots for others by showing not just what you did, but the impact  • Shift from “I should get promoted” to “I need to become undeniable”  • Build relationships across your organization—not just your department  • Over-communicate progress, blockers, and wins to avoid going invisible  • Reset your brand quickly after switching companies by delivering big early Who This Episode Is For• Engineers who feel overlooked or stuck despite strong performance  • Early-career engineers who want to accelerate growth fast  • Burned-out contributors who need to rebuild momentum  • Individual contributors aiming for leadership roles  • Engineers jumping to a new company and needing to re-establish credibility Why It MattersYour career isn’t powered by hours worked or technical skill alone. It’s powered by visibility, relationships, and the reputation you build by consistently giving more than you take. Reciprocity compounds—people remember who helped them, who showed up, who delivered without being asked. Engineers who master this don’t compete for opportunities—they attract them. Where to ListenSpotify  Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Or wherever you get your podcasts ShareIf this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

    34 min
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Spreading awareness, success, and accessibility to the world of engineering to aspiring and early career engineers.

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