As a licensed Professional Engineer specializing in advanced water treatment, Raj Vaidya provides oversite on PCL’s largest industrial water projects for manufacturing, data centers and mission-critical facilities. 

Vaidya claims his first love was physics, but the lack of a clear career path in the field led to a shift towards engineering, inspired by a civil engineer father. This motivating force led Vaidya to pursue several degrees, including a B.S. in Civil Engineering, an M.S. in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Environmental Engineering.

Vaidya's journey from engineering into construction with PCL was inspired by Ankur Talwar, district manager of PCL’s Civil Infrastructure division. Having worked with Talwar in a consulting capacity for a few years, Vaidya found that Talwar’s leadership style and vision for the future aligned perfectly with personal aspirations. Additionally, previous collaborations as the engineer of record on three PCL projects over a decade showcased how the company upheld a high standard of excellence even on the most complex projects. 

“On tough projects when there are a lot of hoops to jump through and unexpected complications, a good contractor will still meet all the project specs in terms of quality and scope completion,” says Vaidya. “PCL's ability to maintain good client relationships and never cut corners, even under challenging circumstances, spoke volumes about its culture and leadership support.”

As water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, expertise in water regulations and reuse technologies is crucial for any water infrastructure project. Vaidya's expertise, combined with PCL's longstanding key relationships and experience in building water infrastructure projects, sets the firm apart in this competitive market.

“We’re seeing more innovative delivery models like progressive design-build and P3 partnerships in industrial water projects for manufacturing,” says Vaidya. “Projects with these delivery methods require rapid decision-making and constant collaboration with partners, something PCL excels at.”

The complexity of building and operating these projects requires owners to select general contractors that understand the essential design, construction and legislative considerations associated with water infrastructure and industrial manufacturing.

“The industrial water projects PCL is working on now will serve as benchmarks for future water projects across the industry,” says Vaidya.

Vaidya takes great pride in being a trusted resource for clients and fellow PCL employees, building relationships based on mutual respect. He pursues opportunities to mentor the next generation, finding these experiences very rewarding.

“I’m most proud of my mentees,” says Vaidya. “Seeing them grow into leaders and knowing I played a part in their journey is the biggest source of pride in my career. It reminds me that it’s not just about our own achievements, but about helping others reach their potential.”