Life as an Owner: Ryan Shore

Our employee-owners are the foundation of Alliant’s success—their innovation, integrity, and commitment drive us forward and make Alliant a top workplace. 

Join us for our series, “Life as an Owner,” where we highlight the people who bring our values to life.

Meet Ryan Shore, a Senior Professional Engineer in Alliant’s Transportation Group. Based in our Minneapolis office, Ryan has been with Alliant since 2016 and plays a key role in roadway design and maintenance of traffic projects to keep communities connected and travelling safely.  

We sat down with Ryan to learn more about his journey into engineering, the projects that shaped his career, and what being an employee-owner means to him. 

Why did you choose engineering as a career, Ryan? 

I’ve always loved building things. Growing up, I was constantly creating with Lincoln Logs, Legos, and Hot Wheels roller coasters — experimenting with new log cabin configurations or redesigning coaster tracks in different ways. As I got older, I realized that passion for building and creating never went away. 

Engineering felt like a natural fit because it allows me to keep doing what I’ve always loved, just on a much larger scale than my basement.

As a transportation engineer, I get to design 3D models to solve complex grading challenges and develop creative construction staging solutions for work zones. It’s rewarding to know I can still be creative and “build” things, but now in ways that make a real impact on communities. 

You’ve likely worked on a wide range of projects — can you share one that stands out to you? 

One project that really stands out is the I-35W Minnesota River Bridge Design-Build project, which reconstructed the river crossing between Burnsville and Bloomington. Along with roadway improvements on both sides of the river, the project also included a shared-use path, one of the few non-vehicle river crossings in the area. 

This project was early in my career and marked the first time I was given a significant amount of responsibility. Because it was a design-build project, I worked directly with the contractor, Ames, which gave me invaluable construction experience. That exposure helped shape my understanding of how designs translate into real-world construction and had a lasting impact on my growth as an engineer. 

Are you involved in any professional organizations or initiatives through Alliant? 

Early in my career, I served on the committee for Alliant’s Young Professionals Group (YPG), which was created to support employees who were just starting out. We hosted events focused on both professional development and connection — everything from retirement planning and estate planning to curling and learning about different groups within Alliant. 

Starting a career can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to a city or don’t know many people. YPG helps create a sense of community and remind young professionals that they aren’t navigating early career challenges alone. I’m proud to have been part of the group’s foundation and even more excited that it’s still going strong today. 

Outside of Alliant, I’m involved in MSES, which hosts industry events and raises scholarship funds for students pursuing careers in engineering. It’s been a great way to connect with consultants and clients outside of day-to-day project work. 

How has Alliant supported your professional growth or helped you reach your goals? 

This is one of my favorite things about Alliant. Any time I’ve asked about professional growth — whether it’s project opportunities, training, or involvement in professional organizations — leadership has always been willing to support it. 

I’ve consistently been given increasing responsibility on projects, which has allowed me to grow and learn with every new challenge. After nearly a decade here, it’s incredible to look back and see the wide range of projects I’ve been part of and how much those experiences have shaped my career. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in this industry? 

Take initiative, advocate for yourself, help wherever you can, and seek feedback early and often. The more you step up and ask questions, the more opportunities you’ll have to learn and grow. 

Feedback isn’t criticism; it’s a chance to improve. If you take the initiative to support your team and actively learn from peers and mentors, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. 

What are you passionate about outside of work? 

Anything outdoors. Soccer, fishing, snowboarding, ice fishing, pond hockey, golf — if it’s outside, I’m probably into it. Recently, my wife and I welcomed our son, and I cannot wait to be able to spend time with my wife and son teaching him all the fun things that his mom and dad get to do.

If you had to choose, what’s been your favorite Alliant event? 

The annual golf event is always my favorite, probably because I really enjoy golfing. But one standout was a curling event we held at the Blaine Curling Club. It was a blast and definitely proved that curling on TV looks much easier than it actually is. 

What do you think sets Alliant apart as a place to build your career? 

What truly sets Alliant apart is how genuine the people are. While Alliant is the only firm I’ve worked at professionally, many people who’ve joined from other firms say the same thing — it’s real people, doing great work, and enjoying the process together. 

Between firmwide events like the chili cook-off, golf outing, and winter social, along with group-specific activities throughout the year, Alliant creates space to connect beyond project work. Those relationships make collaboration stronger and project delivery even better. 

As employee-owners, the work we do every day contributes to something bigger. At Alliant, we’re not just delivering projects — we’re building communities and shaping our future together. 

You can be part of it, too. Explore career opportunities and discover what it means to be an employee-owner like Ryan.