Danielle Schroeder has been a practicing engineer for nine years. In 2022, she earned her professional engineer license and today, she’s a senior engineer and assistant project manager with Huitt-Zollars, Inc.  

Working out of the firm’s Philadelphia office, she serves as assistant project manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Transit Program Management Office project, supporting oversight on a nearly $800 million construction program involved with transit agencies across the commonwealth. She and her team work as an extension of PennDOT’s Bureau of Public Transit, where they help with initial planning and scoping of projects through technical reviews, compliance coordination and performance dashboards. Specifically, Schroeder leads numerous high-profile assignments and acts as the technical review lead of the office.  

During her tenure, Schroeder has taken on more responsibilities. In 2025, Huitt-Zollars recognized her leadership and initiative, selecting her as one of 14 employees to participate in the company’s project manager training program. She has also represented the firm as a conference speaker over the past few years at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Convention and as an attendee at the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Annual Meeting and Expo.  

Prior to her time at Huitt-Zollars, Schroeder worked at another consulting firm where she contributed to several major road projects, like the Pennsylvania Turnpike I-476 widening project and a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant project that improved safety and equity within Philadelphia streets. She was also a technical lead for the I-95 Ann Street to Frankford Creek project, where she oversaw environmental design for 1.5 miles of interstate reconstruction. Schroeder’s early career focused on bridge design and inspection projects, participating in over 20 bridge inspections and leading efforts on a retaining wall alternative analysis.  

In addition to her conference participation, Schroeder is highly active in the industry. She has held leadership positions at ASCE at the section, regional and society level—including past chair of ASCE’s Committee on Developing Leaders. In this role, she helped launch ASCE’s Leadership & Management Certificate Program. Currently, she’s the secretary of ASCE’s Philadelphia Chapter, chapter relations director for WTS Philadelphia and member of the SEI Advisory Council. Additionally, she’s the vice chair of SEI’s Student Engagement Committee. Under her leadership, scholarship applications increased by 35% in a year.  

Outside of industry associations, Schroeder is equally committed to STEM outreach and workforce development. Since 2019, she’s connected with thousands of students, working with local organizations and national outreach campaigns promoting engineering careers.  

Her industry contributions, leadership and innovation have been honored with several awards throughout the years, including ASCE’s Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award for Professional Achievement, ASCE Eastern Region Outstanding Young Civil Engineer, Delaware County PSPE Young Engineer of the Year and recognition from the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today?  

My interest in engineering began at home. My dad, a union carpenter, built the house I grew up in, and I often helped him with projects over the years. However, it was not until my junior year of high school when my biology teacher shared a flyer for an engineering camp for girls that I discovered my path. Attending that camp showed me that civil engineering was the perfect fit, combining my love of math and science with problem solving. Learning about engineering at an outreach event and being the first engineer in my family is why I am so passionate about STEM outreach and teaching students how rewarding a career in engineering can be.  

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

Making a meaningful difference in real communities, especially close to home, is incredibly rewarding. Pennsylvania’s shared ride transportation program operates in all 67 counties, providing more than four million trips annually. I take pride in supporting projects that deliver safe, reliable mobility throughout the commonwealth, particularly knowing that many riders rely on this service as their primary or only means of transportation to get to their employment, medical care and vital community activities. 

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?  

I am especially proud of earning my Professional Engineering (PE) license. In Pennsylvania, this achievement requires passing two rigorous, multi-hour exams and completing four years of progressive engineering experience under several licensed PEs. Of the roughly 495,000 active PE license holders in the U.S., only about 12% are women, which makes this accomplishment even more meaningful to me. 

What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career? 

I am committed to continuing my focus on mentoring the next generation of transportation professionals. As a student, I was fortunate to have several inspiring engineers as role models, and today, I am proud to mentor several students to help them with their transition to their first full-time engineering job and navigate their early career. I strive to create pathways for others to succeed or what I like to call “lifting as you rise.” And that engineering camp for girls where I learned Civil Engineering was the perfect career for me; I now volunteer at this camp annually and lead some of the engineering labs throughout the day. 

What is your best advice you can share from your area of expertise? 

My best advice is that the greatest learning often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. As an introvert, I understand that this is easier said than done but embracing stretch opportunities and taking on public speaking engagements to strengthen my soft, or power skills, has led me to truly invaluable experiences.