Happy International Women in Engineering Day: Meet Robin Young, PE

Some people bring technical expertise to a team. Others bring energy, encouragement, and a sense of community. Robin brings all of the above.

As a leader overseeing municipal projects and managing a team of inspectors, Robin has built her career around collaboration, mentorship, and service. Ask her what makes Qunity special, and her answer is simple: the people. The firm's strong sense of community and family is what stands out most. Her teammates look after one another, share knowledge, and work together toward common goals.

Robin at the Colosseum

That spirit of teamwork is woven throughout Robin's approach to engineering. Whether she is coordinating municipal projects, mentoring inspectors, or solving challenges in the field, she thrives on collaboration. What motivates her most is working alongside talented people to solve problems and move projects forward. She finds fulfillment in watching a project evolve from conception and design through construction and ultimately into public use. Even after a project is complete, she is already evaluating the outcome and looking for ways to make future projects more effective and efficient.

Robin & a very old olive tree

Throughout her career, Robin has taken pride not only in the projects she has helped deliver, but also in the resources she has created to support others. One accomplishment she is particularly proud of is developing a comprehensive guidebook for complex projects—a practical "how-to" resource designed to help new engineers and employees navigate challenges with confidence. She is also proud of her work upgrading curb ramps to meet Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) standards, a responsibility that took on additional meaning after spending several months navigating the world on crutches herself. Lesson learned: be extra careful when a game of pickleball gets competitive.

Robin's leadership philosophy is grounded in practicality and forward momentum. One of the most valuable lessons she has learned over the years is the importance of balancing analysis with action. Research, evaluation, and data collection are critical parts of the engineering process, but there comes a point when the best possible decision must be made so the project can continue moving forward.

In fact, the best professional advice she ever received was simple: "Make a decision." As long as a decision is ethical, thoughtful, and does no harm, progress matters. That mindset has helped Robin guide projects, support her team, and navigate the countless decisions that engineering work requires every day.

The same philosophy shapes how she defines success. For Robin, success is often found in the small victories that accumulate over time. Crossing tasks off a daily to-do list may seem simple, but it represents progress, momentum, and the satisfaction of seeing work accomplished. The list may never truly end, but there is fulfillment in knowing meaningful steps are being taken every day.

When reflecting on Qunity's success, Robin again points to the importance of people. Great projects are built by talented individuals who enjoy working together, supporting one another, and investing in the next generation. Teaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge are just as important as technical expertise, and Robin believes those qualities are essential to building a strong team and a strong company.

Outside of work, Robin enjoys staying active and pursuing a wide range of interests. As she puts it, one of the benefits of a fulfilling career is that it allows her to enjoy the many things she loves beyond the office. Lately, she has been especially excited about travel, with both domestic and international adventures on her radar. Looking ahead, she is also eager to tackle a new goal: earning her drone license.

If you ask Robin about her ideal deep-work environment, it might not be a traditional office setting. She would prefer to be outside on a warm, sunny day near a pool, lake, or other body of water, with only the sounds of nature in the background. In the field, however, her favorite workdays involve visiting project sites, checking progress, and collaborating with or teaching others along the way.

Whether she is managing municipal projects, supporting her team in the field, or mentoring future engineers, Robin brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a collaborative spirit to everything she does. Her ability to balance technical expertise with genuine care for people makes her not only a respected engineer, but an invaluable part of the Qunity team.

Happy International Women in Engineering Day, Robin!