Mott MacDonald

Support project coordination and technical review activities for Utah Transit Authority rail fleet programs. Work with vendor engineering teams to review design documentation, clarify requirements, and ensure compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory expectations. Contribute to issue tracking, risk discussions, and project communication across internal and external stakeholders.

Project Manager - Rolling Stock

School of Rock Salt Lake City

Co-own and operate a performance-based music education studio serving the Salt Lake City region. Responsible for business strategy, staffing, operational systems, local partnerships, financial planning, and student program development. Focused on building a sustainable, community-centered learning environment that develops confident young musicians.

Co-Owner / General Manager

Writing Architect

Provided brand messaging, website content, and conversion-focused marketing copy for small and mid-sized businesses.

Owner / Copywriter

JKD Products Inc

Served as the sole engineer responsible for electrical and mechanical product design across custom trailer and equipment builds. Converted functional requirements into manufacturable wiring harness and component layouts, coordinated directly with fabrication and assembly teams, and supported testing, troubleshooting, and iterative refinement through release.

Design Engineering Manager

Designed wiring harness systems and electrical layouts for commercial trailer products. Coordinated with suppliers and production teams to implement manufacturing-ready designs.

Electrical Design Engineer

Stadler US

Supported train system integration, resolving cross-system electrical compatibility and performance issues. Worked directly with OEM engineering teams to align design packages with U.S. regulatory and operational requirements.

Electrical Systems Engineer II

Led on-site commissioning and testing of passenger rail vehicles, coordinating issue identification and resolution across propulsion, control, and safety systems. Facilitated collaboration between shop technicians, systems engineers, and vendor reps to meet delivery milestones and acceptance criteria.

Electrical Commissioning Engineer

NJ TRANSIT

Maintained, diagnosed, and repaired electromechanical and control systems across passenger rail equipment. Interpreted technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and system documentation to ensure safe, compliant operations. Collaborated with operations, maintenance, and safety teams to return rail assets to service efficiently and reliably.

Electrician

US Navy

As a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, I qualified through one of the most rigorous technical training pipelines in the military. I maintained, operated, and troubleshot electrical systems within a high-reliability naval nuclear propulsion environment, performing both preventive and corrective maintenance on power distribution equipment, control circuitry, and safety systems. The role demanded strict adherence to procedures, precise technical documentation, and consistent systems discipline. My time in the Navy built habits of accountability, attention to detail, and composure under pressure — habits that continue to shape how I approach engineering work today.

Electrician's Mate (Nuclear)

I help digital coaches/consultants attract high-quality clients with scalable marketing systems | Marketing Copywriter + Electrical Systems Engineer | 5% goes to Whale and Dolphin Conservation

I’ve always been drawn to how things connect — systems, processes, people, and the ideas that keep them moving.

I began my career in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate, where I learned to work with high-reliability systems, uncompromising standards, and the kind of discipline that only comes from environments where mistakes aren’t optional. That foundation shaped how I approach technical work and responsibility today.

After the Navy (and a lot of subsequent schooling in physics and engineering), I continued building my career in complex transportation and engineering environments. I moved into hands-on electrical systems work in passenger rail operations and later took on roles in commissioning and systems integration.

Today, I work in multi-stakeholder project coordination and technical review for rail fleet programs while also co-owning School of Rock Salt Lake City, where I manage daily operations, program development, and community engagement. Operating a business alongside a technical career has sharpened my ability to understand people, prioritize decisions, and stay accountable for outcomes.

Earning my Professional Engineer (PE) license has deepened my sense of accountability, not just to technical standards, but also to the people and systems those standards serve.

My goal is to continue bridging the gap between engineering precision and people-centered management, and to grow into a leader who brings clarity, empathy, and structure to complex environments.

Learning to lead through systems and people.

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute!

Cian Earls

Utah PE + PMP | Electrical Engineer & Business Owner | Learning to Lead Through Systems & People

Big milestone today.
I officially earned my Professional Engineer (PE) license.

It’s been a long road getting here,
and for a while, I’d given up on the idea.
I thought it wasn’t meant to be.

Between the strict requirements, full-time work, starting a business,
and finding my footing again after a few career detours,
it more often than not felt out of reach.

But every setback became part of the process.
Every late night.
Every moment of self-doubt.
Every small win that eventually added up to something that mattered.

Engineering, for me, has always been about connection and trust.
Earning my PE has deepened that sense of accountability.
It’s not just about technical precision.
It’s about integrity, clarity, and the impact behind every decision.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come,
and excited (and grateful) to continue learning to lead.

My daughter was born last week,
and it’s made me reflect on what
my other two kids have already taught me.

Lessons about patience and presence.
Lessons about slowing down in a fast world.

The truth is, my kids have taught me 
more about leadership than
any course or title ever could.

Being a parent requires sacrifice,
the kind that asks you to put others first,
not once, but every single day.

And I’ve learned that real leadership is similar.
Long-term outcomes are built on quiet, consistent sacrifices
that no one sees except the people you’re showing up for.

With another little one joining us,
I’m reminded that learning to lead
starts and ends at home.

What have your kids (or the people you care for) taught you about leadership?

Something I’ve been noticing:

A lot of stress in projects comes from assumptions rather than disagreements.

When expectations are clear, work feels lighter.
When expectations are vague, even small tasks feel heavy.

Clarity isn’t flashy, but it changes everything.

Sometimes, people get under your skin.

They miss details.
They give pushback.
They don't listen.
They don't follow through.
They make poor decisions.

And the natural instinct is ALWAYS to react.

But good leadership is the opposite of reaction. 

It's the ability to slow down instinct:
the power to overcome the moment,
setting the tone for everything else.

Not because you’re above it,
but because you’re responsible for it.

It's not about control of others.
It’s about control of yourself.

How do you slow yourself down before reacting?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means to lead. 
Not in a title sense, but in the everyday sense. 

How you respond when things get messy. 
How you communicate when you’re frustrated.
How you balance systems, people, and expectations 
when all three pull you in different directions. 

Those are the moments that shape your leadership style 
and mold the culture around you. 

What does good leadership look like to you these days?

taplio

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