Building Dreams, One Structure at a Time
For Carleen Altinok, PE, SE, a fascination with engineering began somewhere many people go just to have fun: an amusement park.
As a high school student on a trip to Six Flags in New Jersey, she found herself looking beyond the thrill of the roller coasters and asking a different question: How are these structures standing? Who designed them? That curiosity sparked a passion that would eventually lead her to a career in structural engineering.
Today, Carleen is a Structural Engineer at BRPH in Seattle, where she has been helping bring complex and innovative projects to life since 2020. After earning her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and later specializing in Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego, she spent several years building her expertise before joining the BRPH team.
Full-Circle Career Moment
One of Carleen’s first projects at BRPH turned out to be a dream assignment.
When she learned during her first interview with BRPH that she would be working on a theme park project, she was excited. Not only was it an opportunity she never imagined would be possible for her, but it also connected directly back to the experience that first inspired her to pursue engineering years earlier. She went on to work on Super Nintendo World™, helping create an environment designed to delight and inspire visitors.
“It was something I thought I was never going to be able to do,” she recalled. “And then suddenly I was working on a theme park.”
Having a Real-World Impact
For Carleen, one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering is seeing a project move from concept to reality.
After spending months or years designing a structure, she enjoys visiting completed projects and watching how people interact with them. Seeing guests look around in amazement and experience the joy, reminds her of the same curiosity she felt as a teenager studying roller coasters and buildings.
“Being able to design something, bring it to life and then watch other people enjoy it—that’s incredibly rewarding,” she shared.
While Carleen is proud of many projects throughout her career, a recent aerospace facility stands out because of the teamwork involved.
The project required extensive coordination among BRPH’s structural engineering team, with each engineer contributing specialized expertise to solve complex design challenges. For Carleen, the experience highlighted the value of collaboration and demonstrated what can be accomplished when a team works together toward a common goal.
She believes one of the most important engineering skills is recognizing when to ask for help.
“No one knows everything,” she explained. “Knowing when to ask questions, where to find answers and how to learn from others is incredibly important.”
Growing Confidence in a Male-Dominated Field
Like many women in engineering, Carleen’s journey began in classrooms where female students were often the minority. Early in her career, she sometimes felt extra pressure to prove herself and demonstrate her technical expertise. Over time, however, her experience and confidence helped her realize that learning and asking questions are part of every engineer’s growth, regardless of gender.
One particularly meaningful experience came while working in the field during construction of a major entertainment project. Initially nervous about coordinating directly with contractors, she found the experience overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone was super respectful,” she said. “It ended up being a really great experience.”
When asked how organizations can encourage more women to pursue engineering careers, Carleen believes visibility is key.
“If you see other women succeeding in engineering, it’s much easier to see yourself doing it too,” she said. She encourages companies to celebrate and showcase the accomplishments of women engineers, helping young women recognize that engineering is not only an achievable career path, it can also be an incredibly fulfilling one.
She’s encouraged by the progress she’s already seeing. In BRPH’s Seattle structural group, the team is approaching an even split between women and men—a milestone she never imagined when she was first starting out.
For young women considering engineering, Carleen’s advice is simple: stay curious and keep an open mind.
Engineering offers countless paths and specialties, many of which students may not even know exist when they begin their education. She encourages aspiring engineers to explore different disciplines, seek advice from experienced professionals and remember that uncertainty is part of the journey.
“Everyone feels like they don’t know what they’re doing when they first start,” she said. “That’s normal. Keep learning, keep asking questions and stay open to opportunities.”
Celebrating Women Who Build the Future
This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate engineers like Carleen whose curiosity, expertise and passion help shape the world around us. From creating immersive entertainment experiences to supporting the future of aerospace, her career shows the impact engineers can have and the importance of inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
At BRPH, we are proud to recognize the talented women engineers whose innovation, leadership and dedication continue to drive our industry and BRPH forward.
