AUSTIN PAYNE, P.E.

FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Austin is the owner and lead engineer of Upright Engineering, bringing over 20 years of experience in civil and structural engineering. His extensive knowledge spans residential, commercial, and municipal projects, with a focus on grading, drainage, utilities, structural design, and wetlands restoration.

Before founding Upright Engineering, Austin managed the planning, permitting, design, and construction of wetland restoration projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and California. His previous experience includes designing large infrastructure projects, military installations, and onsite wastewater treatment facilities, as well as serving as a land surveyor and materials testing laboratory manager. This broad range of experience in the engineering field has provided him with a unique understanding of the nuances involved in various types of projects.

Austin takes a hands-on approach to design; he is actively involved in all his projects from start to finish. He provides guidance while empowering engineers to take ownership of their projects. This approach ensures a more efficient and seamless experience for clients, who benefit from working directly with a dedicated engineer. He conducts all his work with a focus on maximizing client satisfaction by optimizing, sustaining, and enhancing the natural beauty of all projects.

A Bay Area native and resident of Lafayette, Austin is deeply committed to his community and our natural spaces. He volunteers for local community days, youth sports, and has served for 14 years on the city committee for local creeks. When not engineering you will find him on a soccer field, enjoying the outdoors, or spending time with his wife and children. He can often be found knocking off items on the “honey-do list” and gardening on his “farm.”