Shahin Ariaey-Nejad

With nearly four decades of experience spanning civil and structural engineering, Shahin Ariaey-Nejad has a profound under­stand­ing of bridge inspection, marine facilities, and industrial structures. Over the past two decades, Shahin has been an active leader in bridge inspection, including specialized underwater diving projects, and has built a reputation for excellence with clients like the New York State Department of Trans­porta­tion (NYSDOT). His commitment to quality and precision has led him to inspect over 1,500 bridges and oversee quality control on projects valued at over $18 million.

“I’m inspired when I find a subject that is somewhat of a mystery to me and I take a deep dive,” Shahin says. “Throughout my career, I have been involved in more than my share of unique projects. Each of these projects were one of a kind, at least for me, and have not been repeated. I was given some subject matter books and design manuals, and I was then thrown into the proverbial deep end of the pool to figure out the design methodology and fished out the deliv­er­ables.”

Shahin’s work with NYSDOT has been especially rewarding, reflecting years of trust and collab­o­ra­tion. He has reviewed over 1,000 bridges annually. In 2020, his leadership helped CDM Smith secure a four-year contract renewal for NYSDOT’s Region 1. “Each year we have increased our level of mutual trust and respect across orga­ni­za­tions,” Shahin explains. “The DOT in general uses us as the "go to firm" when other regions or consultants need help.”