MARK NIECHWIADOWICZ
Job Title: Electrical Designer
Company: DLR Group
Location: Dallas
Age: 29; Years on the Job: 7
Interests: Staying active in recreational sports, doing yard work, hiking, cooking meals, and watching Yankees baseball with his wife
Mark Niechwiadowicz went to school for engineering based on his interest in buildings and excelling in math and science. As he studied architectural engineering, he discovered a passion for lighting design.
“I was drawn to the impact that lighting has on how we experience architecture and the space, creating mood and drama,” he says.
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, S.D., he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architectural engineering with an emphasis in electrical and lighting design from the University of Nebraska.
“My education prepared me to directly enter the building engineering industry,” he says.
Following a four-year apprenticeship under a licensed engineer, he passed the Electrical and Computer Professional Engineering Exam and became a licensed engineer in the state of Nebraska. He then pursued his passion for lighting design by passing the NCQLP Lighting Certification Exam.
“My engineering licensure was critical in preparing me for my role as an electrical engineer and team leader,” he says.
In his current role as the regional electrical engineering leader, his responsibility is to manage the electrical engineering staff and facilitate all electrical engineering work in Texas.
“In my role, I enjoy leading many exciting projects,” says Niechwiadowicz, who is serving as an electrical design leader and engineer of record on the new Football Operations Center at the University of Houston. “I am always rewarded to see a project completed.”
While it’s been a challenge to adapt from a doer to a delegator, he likes to empower other team members to take on tasks and have ownership in the design process. In five to 10 years, he wants to see the electrical engineering team grow to 12-plus team members and expansion into the Austin and Houston office.
“I want to be more involved with our project pursuits and interviews with large clients to win work,” he says.
