Joshua Arnold: ensuring projects avoid regulatory pitfalls and meet safety standards

Building stronger outcomes through dialogue and ownership

Safety-focused surveyor, Joshua Arnold, discusses how dialogue fosters excellence and shares why taking ownership of both successes and mistakes can accelerate growth.

What do you do at Mott MacDonald and what are you currently working on?

I oversee our surveying department and serve as the licensed surveyor for projects requiring professional licensure in the states where I am licensed. My role combines technical responsibility, leadership, and oversight to ensure our surveying services meet regulatory requirements and client expectations.

Currently, I am supporting the development of a large (~75-mile CO₂) pipeline, focusing on aligning title information and resolving ownership details to support the creation of an accurate and reliable property mosaic. This effort plays a critical role in ensuring downstream engineering and right-of-way decisions are based on fully vetted and defensible data.

What does a typical workday look like at Mott MacDonald?

A typical day involves a significant amount of problem solving and decision making. Team members often come to me after they have exhausted available resources, so my focus is usually on complex technical or logistical issues rather than routine fixes.

In addition to managing the team, I coordinate the deployment of field personnel to maintain proper client coverage and maintain alignment between survey crews, office support staff, and other disciplines across Mott MacDonald. I also serve as a point of integration to help ensure survey data supports broader project objectives.

I find opportunities to excel by prioritizing effectively addressing smaller, time sensitive issues first so that larger, more complex challenges receive the attention they require. Over time, I’ve also learned the importance of setting boundaries and communicating availability clearly. I recognize that it is both appropriate and necessary to let others know when I need to follow up rather than attempting to solve everything immediately.

What opportunities have you had to grow your specialism or develop your career here?

Mott MacDonald has provided significant opportunities for both technical and professional growth throughout my career. I began as a surveyor III, working primarily in the field and supporting a variety of project assignments.

When I transitioned into a full-time survey technician role, I took advantage of Mott MacDonald’s tuition reimbursement program to invest in my professional development and successfully obtain licensure. This advancement allowed me to move into a licensed surveyor role, and ultimately into survey management, where I now lead teams and contribute to broader project strategy.

Each step has been supported by meaningful opportunities to expand my responsibilities, develop leadership skills, and grow my technical expertise.

At work, how do you manage your well-being and safety?

I manage my safety and wellbeing by maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal time. I prioritize completing work during normal working hours whenever possible and make a conscious effort to fully disconnect outside those hours so I can spend quality time with my family.

I also maintain a strong safety-first mindset. I recognize that wellbeing, both physical and mental, is essential to making good decisions, particularly in a leadership and oversight role. By staying rested, focused, and present, I am better equipped to identify risks, support my team, and reinforce safe practices both in the field and in the office.

What does it mean to you to be trusted to do brilliant things at Mott MacDonald?

Being trusted to do brilliant things at Mott MacDonald means being empowered to apply sound judgment, technical expertise, and leadership in ways that positively impact our clients, our teams, and the communities we serve. It reflects confidence in my ability to make thoughtful decisions, take ownership of complex challenges, and act in the best interests of the business and our stakeholders.

How do you collaborate with colleagues to achieve common goals?

I collaborate with colleagues through consistent, proactive communication and intentional engagement tailored to the needs of each project and team. This includes regular check-ins, structured team meetings, and project specific coordination calls to ensure alignment on scope, priorities, and deliverables.

How does Mott MacDonald create an environment where you feel empowered and supported?

Mott MacDonald fosters an empowering and supportive environment through connected conversations, regular manager check-ins, and flexible hybrid work options. Ongoing conversations with managers create open dialogue around priorities, workload, and development, helping ensure I have the guidance and support needed to succeed.

The ability to work within a hybrid model further supports productivity and wellbeing, allowing me to balance collaboration with focused work while staying connected to my team. Together, these elements create a culture of trust, accountability, and support that enables me to perform my best.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their career with Mott MacDonald?

I would encourage them to be proactive and outgoing, and to take full advantage of the many development programs and opportunities available at Mott MacDonald. Building connections early and being willing to ask questions can significantly accelerate learning and growth.

It’s equally important to take ownership of both successes and mistakes. Being accountable, learning from challenges, and continuously improving are key to building credibility and long-term success within the organization.