2021 40 Under 40: Brett Friedman, PE, LEED AP, NCEES, 39

Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Affiliated Engineers Inc.; BS, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University

By Gary Cohen, Chris Vavra and Amara Rozgus May 17, 2021

Friedman is driven to seek out innovative projects and is hungry to learn new things, which has carried him throughout his career. That hunger hasn’t dissipated since he’s become a leader and he encourages his fellow engineers to join him on the journey. He focuses his management and technical capabilities on complex mechanical systems analysis and design for industrial, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and process clients. His design experience includes facilities containing test stands for diverse engine types, fuel and oxidizer types and dust types. Friedman is adept at facility utility and infrastructure design with attentiveness given to excellent test data collection, manufacturing quality and safety. Keys to Friedman’s success include his flexibility, responsiveness and ability to find innovative solutions. His flexibility is exemplified by his willingness to start a project with limited information, assist the client with developing criteria, deliver projects in a phased approach to meet the client’s cash flow requirements, produce pre-purchase documents to meet the client’s schedule requirements, deliver projects in any delivery method and work as an embedded engineer. With regard to innovative solutions, Friedman goes above and beyond, considering lower-cost options or more readily available components that can compress a construction schedule. His passion for learning and experiencing new things is felt when he’s away from work. His love of science has served him well making his own beer of all types. He’s also an eager traveler and likes spending time on Lake Mendota with his dogs.