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Not every engineer follows the same path.

For many, the journey begins with college, followed by licensure and a career in the profession. For Principal Engineer Jason McCray, the road looked a little different. Although he excelled academically in high school, he chose to enter the workforce instead of heading directly to college. What followed was a career built on experience, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning.

Looking back, that decision shaped the engineer he would become.

For nearly five years, while many of his peers were studying in classrooms, Jason was working at a land surveying firm, learning firsthand how projects come together in the field. At the time, he may not have realized it, but those early experiences would become invaluable once he entered the engineering profession.

Finding His Place in Engineering

Engineering has always been part of Jason’s story.

As a second-generation engineer, he grew up watching his father build a career with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), where he spent more than 40 years in roadway design. Inspired by that example, Jason eventually joined the FDOT Design Group as a drafting technician, where his own engineering journey began.

Early in his career, he was fortunate to work alongside several mentors who recognized his potential and encouraged him to continue growing. One mentor in particular, a highly respected engineer without a formal engineering degree, had a lasting impact on Jason’s approach to the profession.

He encouraged him to ask questions, no matter how small they seemed, and challenged him to continue his education while gaining practical experience.

Those lessons stayed with him.

Throughout his career, Jason found that the best engineers never stop learning. They remain curious, seek out new perspectives, and understand that experience is often gained one question at a time.

The Road to a Degree and Professional Licensure

While building his career, Jason also committed himself to earning a college degree.

His educational journey began at Daytona Beach Community College, where he worked toward an Associate of Arts degree. Balancing work, family responsibilities, and coursework extended the timeline, but Jason never lost sight of the goal.

Fourteen years after starting, he earned his associate degree and transferred to the University of Central Florida. Six years later, he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.

It was a long road, but one that reflected the same persistence that defined his professional career.

With more than 20 years of engineering experience already behind him, Jason was eligible to pursue professional licensure immediately after graduation. Preparing for the Professional Engineer exam while leading a roadway department presented a new challenge.

There were lunches spent studying. Evenings were dedicated to review materials after work. Weekends often became opportunities to fit in one more practice session while balancing family life and professional responsibilities.

When he finally received notice that he had passed the exam and earned his PE license, it represented far more than a professional credential. It marked the culmination of years of sacrifice, perseverance, and belief in a goal that had taken decades to achieve.

Turning a New Page

In June 2026, Jason joined C&S as a Principal Engineer in Orlando with a mission he knows well: building a transportation practice from the ground up.

In fact, this is the third time he has helped establish a transportation group in Florida.

For many engineers, that challenge might seem daunting. For Jason, it’s exactly the type of opportunity he enjoys most.

Every day brings something different. One morning might involve meeting with clients and developing strategy. Another may be spent writing proposals, recruiting staff, or helping position the team for future growth.

But among all those responsibilities, one area stands out—mentoring.

Throughout his career, Jason benefited from leaders who invested their time and knowledge in him. Now, he sees it as his responsibility to do the same for the next generation of engineers.

Helping young professionals develop confidence, technical skills, and leadership abilities is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.

Looking Ahead

As he helps grow C&S’s transportation presence in Florida, Jason sees tremendous opportunity ahead.

He’s excited about building a strong team, developing future leaders, and creating an environment where engineers can continue learning and growing throughout their careers.

One lesson has remained constant throughout his nearly four decades in the industry: engineering is always evolving.

“The profession is constantly changing, and you have to be willing to change with it.”

That mindset has served him well throughout his career and continues to guide him today. Every project presents an opportunity to learn something new. Every challenge brings a chance to improve.

It’s what has kept the work interesting for nearly 40 years, and it’s what continues to motivate him as he helps build the future of transportation in Florida.

At its core, Jason’s story is one of perseverance, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping others succeed. It’s proof that there is no single path into engineering, only the determination to keep moving forward.