In this episode, we talk with Daniel McCaulley, P.E., founder and principal of Ultimus Engineering, LLC, about building a niche in aquatics structural engineering and why communication is just as critical as technical skill. We explore how pool design presents unique structural challenges, how soft skills turn clients into long-term partners, and why asking for more opportunities drives engineering leadership and career growth.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Daniel:
- What ultimately pushed you to take the leap and start your own aquatics structural engineering firm?
- How did you carve out your niche in aquatics structural engineering, and what does that pool design work involve?
- Beyond soil movement, what other challenges in pool and aquatics structural engineering might civil engineers often overlook?
- What role do communication skills play in building client trust, and what practices help turn those relationships into long-term partnerships in aquatics engineering?
- For engineers who are new to networking or uncomfortable with public speaking, what practical steps can they take to strengthen their personal brand and improve those communication skills?
- What is one final piece of advice you would give to engineers who want to take on more engineering leadership responsibility and deliver greater value in their aquatics structural engineering roles?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mastering Aquatics Structural Engineering: From Design Challenges to Client Trust:
- The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic creates a turning point to pursue independence and new challenges. With guidance from mentors and a clear runway, the decision leads to building an aquatics structural engineering firm that thrives on communication and competition.
- A mentorship connection opens the door to pool design work when a contractor needs faster turnaround. By cutting project lead times significantly, the firm grows into a niche that combines structural design of watertight vessels with plumbing, mechanical systems, and geotechnical requirements in aquatics structural engineering.
- Empty pools act like boats under hydrostatic pressure, so aquatics structural engineering designs must address buoyancy forces with thicker shells, footings, or piers. Additional challenges include thermal gradients, deep-water pressures, and specialized detailing that goes beyond typical building design.
- Strong communication transforms technical delivery into lasting client trust. Engineers who listen carefully, ask meaningful questions, and adapt their language to different stakeholders create relationships that generate repeat work in aquatics structural engineering.
- Joining a Toastmasters club provides structured practice that builds confidence in public speaking and leadership. Engineers who connect their personal passions to their work develop a relatable brand that strengthens conversations and professional presence in structural engineering environments.
- Engineers should not hesitate to ask for opportunities to expand their role. Lifelong learning and proactive involvement in new aquatics structural engineering projects position them to grow as leaders and deliver stronger value to clients and teams.
More Details in This Episode…
About Daniel McCaulley, P.E.:
Daniel McCaulley is the founder of Ultimus Engineering, a national design firm specializing in structural, MEP, and aquatics engineering. A licensed professional engineer with over a decade of experience, Daniel holds master’s degrees in both mechanical engineering and business administration. He has led engineering efforts on construction projects exceeding $80 million and brings deep technical insight to every phase of the project lifecycle.
Known for his relationship-driven approach, Daniel blends practical field experience with business acumen to help clients—from startups to industry giants—build better companies through smarter design. He believes in doing engineering right the first time, favoring thoughtful planning upfront to avoid costly issues later.
Whether he’s working with franchise owners, developers, architects, or general contractors, Daniel treats every project like it’s the most important—because to his clients, it is.
About the Hosts
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, concrete parking structures, and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Alexander Daddow, PE, CDT
Alex Daddow is a registered professional engineer in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in architectural engineering. Before joining Simpson Strong-Tie in 2019, Alex was a consulting engineer working on podium structures, custom housing, bridges, historic retrofits, schools, and advanced foundation systems. He is now a Professional Engineer and educates the industry on composite systems throughout the Pacific and Western regions. Alex also works directly with specifiers, installers, contractors, and plan reviewers, assisting them with the technical aspects of designing and building composite strengthening systems.
Sources/References:
Ultimus Engineering
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)
International Building Code (IBC)
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
Meetup
Toastmasters International
Mathcad
Microsoft Excel
University of California, Berkeley
Georgia Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Connect with Daniel McCaulley, PE, on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Please leave your comments or questions in the section below.
