#Eweek2025 Spotlight | Eric Wilson
Delivering mechanical solutions for healthcare facilities.
For National Engineers Week 2025, we’re sharing stories from Cushing Terrell’s engineering talent to learn more about how they chose their profession and what makes them tick.Â
Who (or what) inspired you to be an engineer?Â
Growing up, I was always fascinated by taking things apart — though putting them back together again didn’t always go as planned. My curiosity about how things work has never faded, and in high school, I took drafting and introductory engineering classes. Those helped confirm that engineering was the right career path for me.
Who is an engineer you look up to and/or admire?
I’ve worked with so many talented engineers who’ve helped influence my life and career that it would be hard to single anyone out. Between work for Washington River Protection Solutions, Worley, and Cushing Terrell, each business has engineers who are very knowledgeable and passionate about their different fields.
What is your area of expertise and why did you choose it?
Although my educational background is in chemical engineering, I transitioned to HVAC design (mechanical engineering) with a focus on healthcare projects. Early in my career at Cushing Terrell, I was involved in a handful of healthcare projects, and I really enjoyed the added complexity that comes with designing these types of facilities as well as the impact they have on our communities.”
What is one of your favorite projects and why?
One of my favorite projects at Cushing Terrell has been working on the Cancer Center for Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown, Montana. From the large atrium entrance to the linear accelerator vault, it had complex elements that were interesting to design. The overall facility has been great to work on over the years, and the hospital is bringing much-needed, comprehensive care to this area of Montana.
What is the most interesting/strangest thing someone has asked you to ‘engineer’?
During my stint as a professional cider maker, I was asked to help design, build, and operate a small-scale can pasteurizer. This allowed us to package ciders with added sugars without adding sulfites or other chemicals to kill off the live yeast. It kept improving with nearly every modification we made and passed thousands of cans through it while I was working there.
What things can you not help but engineer in your life?
I don’t think anything escapes the influence of the engineering mindset. Whether it’s home projects or building forts with my kids, I’m always looking for a way to make things better or more efficient.
What piece of advice would you give a young person interested in becoming an engineer?
Factor where you want to live and your desired lifestyle into your decision on which engineering discipline to select. Some disciplines may have you working at remote sites and traveling quite a bit. And that can be a lot of fun when you’re younger and don’t have a family yet, but overall, make sure to find out where the jobs are that require your particular skill set.
Are you involved in activities that help engage students/young people in engineering?
For the last few years, I’ve been involved in the Engineering Day coordinated by our local high schools. Students who are interested in engineering are bused to our Billings office to meet up with several of the engineers here. We’ve put them through activities where they get to engineer just about every aspect of a building — from structural and electrical to plumbing and mechanical, they get to experience all the things that go into designing a building. It’s always great to see their faces when they realize how much goes into designing a building and what’s all hidden in the walls and ceilings.
Eric (standing at left) participates in Engineering Day with students who visit the Billings Cushing Terrell office from local high schools to learn about the different engineering disciplines through presentations and hands-on activities.
Eric at a Glance
- Mechanical Engineer
- Living in Billings, Montana
- Defining characteristics: Tries not to take himself too seriously, is resourceful and organized, and likes to solve problems
- Interests: Spending time with family, cooking, working on home projects, game nights with friends
Eric with his wife and oldest daughter taking a ride on the Red Lodge Mountain ski lift to enjoy the beautiful mountain views.
