Zac Smith

Background

About Zac Smith

I am a business and operations leader in the AEC industry, passionate about building high-performing teams and driving strategic growth across global markets. As Civil Practice Group Lead at SSOE Group, I have led significant expansion efforts—doubling our Mexico-based team, launching new operations in India, and growing our group by 10 full-time professionals. I’ve also helped extend our leadership presence into key markets such as Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia.My leadership style is empowering and trust-based: I provide opportunities for my teams to excel and expect them to deliver, without micro-managing. I foster a continual improvement mindset, encouraging innovation and growth at every level. My experience spans advanced manufacturing sectors—including automotive, semiconductor, battery, and solar facilities—where I focus on delivering innovative, design-based solutions and operational excellence.I am committed to leveraging technology to transform business outcomes, having championed the adoption of automation and AI tools to increase efficiency and deliver substantial business impact. Additionally, I led the implementation of a firm-wide resource management tool, enhancing enterprise-wide visibility and optimizing project delivery.Prior to SSOE, I served as Civil, Structural, and Architectural Manager at KBR, Inc, leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects for government, defense, and industrial clients. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama and am a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in multiple states.Let’s connect if you’re interested in AEC industry innovation, business operations leadership, or the future of advanced manufacturing.