Get your start with projects that power the nation. At Baker, you’ll work alongside a team that puts people first, honors integrity, and digs deep to solve complex challenges. From day one, you’ll contribute to mission-critical infrastructure that keeps communities running — and gain the experience to grow fast and lead with purpose.
Meet Clay Johnson — Baker Construction Project Engineer
From nuclear reactors to clean energy stations, Baker Construction’s Power and Process team helps build some of the most complex and essential structures in the country. Our projects keep lights on, communities moving, and industries growing. And for those ready to move fast, that kind of experience fuels momentum.
That’s exactly what Clay Johnson found when he joined Baker in 2023. As a project engineer, he was welcomed onto a high-performing team and given real opportunities to stretch his skills and prove himself early. With mentorship, trust, and the chance to take on meaningful work, Clay is building the confidence — and the foundation — he needs to lead.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
My decision to go into construction was based on my parents, who ran a traffic control business for 28 years. I started college in mechanical engineering but switched to construction management because I wanted to be more involved in the process and see the fruits of my labor. I focused on industrial infrastructure to be at the forefront of the industry; I felt I would be part of something bigger than myself. Also, the thought of going from job to job and seeing the U.S. appealed to my need for adventure.
How did you come to work for Baker?
I joined Baker’s Power and Process team in 2023 after working as a subcontractor on a project in New York. The people I worked with at Baker and their willingness to be a part of a team really spoke to me.
What does your role involve?
As a project engineer, I provide technical support on all fronts, including project management, project controls, QA/QC, safety, and scheduling. I also have engineering responsibilities such as requests for information, submittals, document control, progress calculations, quantity calculations, and everything else under the sun.
How has Baker supported your growth?
When I first started, I worked closely with a project executive who went out of his way to provide me with the tools I needed while tasking me with assignments outside of my comfort zone. I was given the opportunity to prove myself and my skills in a comfortable environment and quickly became a productive member of the team. I found out I was more than ready to take on any challenge.
What advice do you have for future interns?
Ask every single question that you have. Coming into this industry, you will be faced with real tasks and challenges. They are no longer a class assignment that you can get a C on and still pass. These are now tangible assets. It’s time to ask every stupid question that you were afraid to ask in class because you will not know everything and never will. Learn everything you can from every person you meet, from laborers to project managers. There really are no dumb questions out here.
Baker’s purpose is Building Better Structures, Building Better Lives. What does this mean to you?
It means Baker takes the time to not only provide a quality product for their clients but also a better structure for their co-workers. They take the time to train their co-workers and give them room to grow, which provides a better life for co-workers along with a better product for our clients. Many companies preach that they value people but never truly come through with the promise. Baker actually takes that to heart and does what’s right by their people.
Take your ambitions to the next level.
Be more, gain more, and achieve more with a company that is grounded in the values of People, Honor, and Grit.
At Baker, you’ll find more than a job. Here, you get to touch projects, set your own path, and work with a diverse group of co-workers who support, protect, and encourage each other like family. You’ll be be part of a team that lives by the Golden Rule, prioritizes your training and development, and gives you real responsibilities to unleash your potential. And if you have grit and tenacity, you’ll have the freedom to accelerate your career — on your terms.
