At Blattner, progress happens through connection. Our engineers collaborate across teams to develop solutions that enhance safety, efficiency and quality. Whether in the corporate office or the field, they turn innovation into real-world success for our wind, solar and storage projects.
This National Engineers Week, as we highlight three members of our Engineering team, we celebrate and thank all our engineers for pushing boundaries, solving complex problems and leading the charge toward a cleaner, brighter tomorrow.
Robert Apedaile, Senior Engineer – Civil & Structures - Wind
Robert, a Senior Engineer specializing in civil and structural elements of wind energy, joined Blattner in 2017 as a Field Engineer after earning his Civil Engineering degree from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. He worked on various Blattner wind projects across the country, gaining firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by Blattner’s crews in the field. He then transitioned to a corporate Project Civil Engineer role in 2021, focusing on efficient, standardized designs that empower wind project teams.
Designing for Success and Setting the Standard
One of Robert’s biggest contributions has been improving wind turbine generator (WTG) pad designs. As turbines grow bigger, traditional layouts require review and adjustment for safe crew operations. Collaborating with engineers and field leaders, he developed the new standard for all Blattner wind projects. Additionally, he helps standardize grading, testing specifications and civil infrastructure details, ensuring consistency, efficiency and high-quality results while minimizing costly surprises. On a wind project in Texas for instance, he helped adjust road designs to the local ground conditions, saving the client money without sacrificing durability.
Solving Problems, Saving Time and Money
Today, Robert is tackling his biggest challenge yet — the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, currently being constructed by Blattner in New Mexico. With tough terrain and complex geotechnical conditions, it’s a test of engineering skill. He ensures roads, foundations and other infrastructure are built to handle the conditions while keeping the project on track.
Engineering for the Future
As renewable energy accelerates, Robert is excited about the industry’s future and Blattner’s ability to adapt and lead. He sees engineering as a dynamic field and is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. From his early field days to shaping civil design at Blattner, Robert exemplifies the power of engineering to transform ideas into reality — ensuring projects are built for quality, safety and sustainability. His work helps Blattner lead the charge in powering a cleaner, brighter future.
Jen Duffy, Lead Engineer – Electrical - Solar
Jen Duffy, Lead Engineer – Electrical, has been developing innovative solar engineering solutions at Blattner for nearly a decade. Her passion for math, science, and problem-solving led her to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and build a career where technical expertise meets real-world impact.
Inspiring Engineering Efficiency
When Jen joined Blattner in 2015, solar engineers still relied on manual tools for CAD layouts and pile plans. She took the initiative to develop the foundation for Blattner’s enhanced approach streamlining automation and designs for efficiency and precision on solar projects. She also maintains crucial tools for bidding and designing projects, improving estimates and optimizing project execution.
A Collaborative Approach to Engineering Challenges
Jen thrives in Blattner’s team-oriented environment where she can be part of constructing practical and impactful solutions. She bridges Engineering and IT, ensuring the engineers have the right software and hardware for success. As a Lead Engineer, she prioritizes safety, constructability and mentorship — guiding fellow engineers and CAD designers to build high-quality, efficient and safe solar projects.
Client Collaboration for Optimized Project Outcomes
Jen works with our clients’ engineering teams to develop tailored solutions that align with their priorities and project goals. By understanding their needs, she ensures that Blattner’s designs optimize key elements such as buildable areas, equipment selection and special project considerations.
Looking to the Future
Jen is driven by the continuous growth and evolution of renewable energy engineering. As Blattner expands in solar and energy storage, she’s focused on improving processes and maximizing value and efficiency. Her dedication to innovation and teamwork helps Blattner stay ahead — delivering smarter, safer and more effective projects for the future.
William Chesemore, Lead Project Engineer – Storage
As a Lead Project Engineer, William Chesemore ensures Blattner’s battery energy storage systems (BESS) meet evolving technology, safety and performance standards while keeping projects on schedule and within budget. William’s curiosity and passion for problem-solving led him to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering and Theater Arts from the University of North Dakota, blending his technical expertise with his natural creativity.
Engineering That Impacts
In 2017, William became a Field Engineer at Blattner, gaining firsthand experience with installation processes and the challenges that arise during construction. “Working in the field helped me see that what looks good on paper isn’t always practical,” he explains. This insight shaped his approach when he transitioned into a corporate engineering role, ensuring his designs are grounded in real-world application and field efficiency.
From the earliest stages of a project, Blattner’s engineers shape how work gets done in the field. William knows that what looks good on paper isn’t always practical on-site, which is why he constantly asks, "How would I build this?" If a design doesn’t make sense for the crews installing it, he adjusts it or works directly with General Superintendents to find the best solution.
Keeping Up with Change
Battery storage is one of the fastest-evolving areas of renewable energy and is a quickly growing component of Blattner’s work. It requires adaptability to new technologies, safety regulations and owner expectations. William takes pride in keeping Blattner ahead of the curve, proactively integrating advancements rather than waiting for the industry to catch up.
Solving Problems in Real Time
Great engineering requires teamwork and agility. When a Blattner storage project faced unexpected issues with UPS sizing for fire protection panels, William’s team quickly redesigned the system to keep critical safety systems running if auxiliary power failed. On another project, changing material specs threatened delays, but by working with supply chain teams, they found an alternative vendor that kept things on track.
A Culture of Innovation and Practicality
At Blattner, progress isn’t about waiting for change — it’s about driving it. William embodies this mindset, ensuring innovation and engineering excellence lead to real-world success for crews in the field. His biggest lesson? A design that looks good on paper doesn’t always work in the field. But with collaboration, adaptability and commitment to quality, engineering can create safer, more efficient and more effective projects.
Honoring Our Engineers--Innovators, Problem-Solvers and Builders of the Future
At Blattner, engineering is more than calculations and blueprints—it’s about connection, collaboration and turning challenges into opportunities. Our engineers, like Robert, Jen and William, ensure our projects are built with precision, efficiency and innovation. Their expertise makes our work safer, smarter and more sustainable.