Rod Malehmir, PhD, is senior vice president of artificial intelligence (AI) and product manager for FusionMap® at Tetra Tech.
With more than a decade of experience in AI, machine learning, and robotics, Rod specializes in developing and applying innovative solutions across various engineering domains, including transportation, energy, architecture, and the environment. He leads the strategic vision, design, and evolution of FusionMap—an award-winning AI platform that leverages advanced geospatial technology to enable data-driven decisions across sectors.
He also serves as Tetra Tech’s Delta Analytics lead, delivering scalable, efficient, and sustainable software solutions to solve real-world challenges in transportation, environmental management, and infrastructure resilience.
He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta.
What trends are driving the integration and evolution of AI in engineering and consulting?
The growing demand for faster insights, proactive risk management, and smarter infrastructure investments is driving both public sector and commercial clients to explore how AI can enhance their operations. These needs are accelerating the integration of AI into engineering and consulting services.
Over the past decade, AI has transitioned from a theoretical concept to a practical tool—from promise to something we have never seen before. AI is now actively reshaping how our clients operate and how we deliver consulting and engineering services. Initially, AI applications were largely exploratory, with collaborations with our most curious and innovative clients that led to some of the first-of-kind proof-of-concept projects or pilot initiatives. Now, with the advancement of machine learning algorithms, the proliferation of cloud computing, and more widespread access to high-quality datasets, we are seeing a dramatic increase in broader adoption and sophistication of how AI is integrated in workflows.
Today, we are integrating AI-enabled predicative analytics to warn of potential infrastructure failures or environmental risks before they occur. We are automating repetitive, data-heavy tasks that traditionally consumed countless human hours—freeing up experts to focus on high-value decision-making. We use digital twins to enable organizations to create dynamic, real-time models of their assets, putting accessible planning and operational oversight into the hands of clients’ staff.
With the demonstrated benefits of the solutions we have today, we are working with clients to integrate AI into broader digital transformation strategies that tie together Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, the FusionMap geospatial platform, crowdsourced data collection, drone data collection, and satellite imagery.
At Tetra Tech, this shift is not new territory—it’s a continuation of our legacy in applying innovation to solve complex problems. For decades, we’ve delivered solutions that generate real value for our clients by combining technical excellence with a deep understanding of their goals and challenges.
What are the key considerations and challenges for clients in implementing new AI-driven solutions?
We typically recommend that clients begin by evaluating whether AI can address a specific problem they are facing or if a new approach could generate efficiencies that were previously unattainable. A critical first step is to understand the quality, quantity, and accessibility of their data—because even the most advanced AI models can’t deliver results without a strong data foundation. It’s also essential to consider how AI insights will be operationalized: will they integrate with current systems, and who will interact with these tools?
Some of the most common implementation challenges include fragmented data environments, lack of interoperability with legacy platforms, and limited technical expertise to understand or act on AI outputs. Additionally, organizational resistance can also be a barrier to adoption. Adopting AI means rethinking traditional workflows and often requires cultural shifts around data use and decision-making authority.
To navigate these challenges, I recommend taking a phased, strategic approach. Start with well-scoped pilot projects that can deliver quick wins and build internal buy-in. Invest in training and capacity-building to help your team understand the “why” and “how” of the AI journey. Most importantly, work with partners who bring both domain expertise and technical depth to support the development of solutions that are relevant, actionable, and future proof.
How does our FusionMap software set Tetra Tech apart in offering advanced geospatial solutions powered by AI?
The inception of FusionMap came from a deep recognition that most tools available for geospatial data visualization and analytics were either too rigid, too slow, or unable to handle the vast and complex datasets generated by modern infrastructure and environmental monitoring efforts. We saw an opportunity to build something radically different—an AI-native, cloud-based software designed for collaboration, ease of use, and scalability.
FusionMap offers an intuitive, web-based experience that supports real-time field-to-office workflows, robust GIS integration, and an expanding suite of AI tools for feature extraction, condition monitoring, and even predictive modeling. One of our core differentiators is our ability to rapidly process and analyze massive datasets—such as satellite imagery, LiDAR scans, and field notes—all within the same streamlined interface.
By empowering clients to understand what’s happening on the ground faster and with more confidence, FusionMap enables data-driven decision-making in real time. This aligns with Tetra Tech’s mission to provide high-end consulting and technology services, allowing us to meet complex challenges with elegant, efficient solutions.
What emerging technologies or innovations should clients consider adopting, and how does Tetra Tech help implement them effectively?
We help our clients think bigger when adopting new technologies. Innovation isn’t just about using the latest tools—it’s about solving problems differently and creating repeatable, scalable solutions. Technology that is readily accessible has enabled solutions that were not practical or even achievable a few years ago.
Generative AI, partnered with tools like FusionMap, can move ideas from concepts to application in days instead of years. Some areas for clients to explore include solutions that integrate LiDAR, drone-based inspections, and advanced remote sensing methods for high-resolution mapping and real-time situational awareness. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies now offer immersive environments for training, planning, and stakeholder engagement—especially when layered with live data. Continuous monitoring and smart decision automation can use AI to more effectively leverage more accessible instrumentation IoT.
Tetra Tech plays a key role in this transformation. We don’t just deploy tools—we co-design solutions with our clients. That means helping them collect and structure their data appropriately, selecting the right tech stack for their context, and guiding the deployment through to a successful outcome. Our multidisciplinary teams work with clients to advance innovations that are grounded in operational reality, compliant with regulations, and aligned with strategic goals.
Can you share examples where AI-enabled tools have delivered measurable benefits to clients, such as increased efficiency or resilience?
Absolutely. One example I’m particularly proud of with FusionMap is a recent collaboration with a first-class railway operator in North America, where we codesigned and implemented an AI-powered solution to address one of their most critical operational risks—flooding.
Our team developed an advanced flood predictive modeling system using high-resolution satellite data, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multispectral imagery. The system monitors more than 12,500 miles of railway tracks in near real time, analyzing over 10,000 satellite images weekly to offer both early-warning alerts and post-event insights to guide emergency response and asset recovery.
We created a dynamic risk model that adapts to changing environmental conditions by leveraging AI to analyze seasonal precipitation trends, terrain elevation, soil saturation, and historical flood records. Before flood events, it helps operators proactively position inspection crews, reroute cargo, and protect high-value infrastructure. After events, the same system supports rapid assessment of impacted corridors using updated satellite imagery, minimizing downtime and enhancing safety.
This end-to-end solution, delivered through FusionMap, gave the client the ability to visualize complex risk zones, access real-time data overlays, and coordinate decision-making across departments. The project demonstrated how AI and remote sensing can deliver powerful, scalable infrastructure resilience and was recognized with an Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) Award of Excellence for innovation and impact on a continental scale.
Looking ahead, what trends do you foresee in AI and geospatial tech, and how is Tetra Tech helping clients prepare for and thrive in that future?
We’re moving toward a world where real-time data, edge AI, and embedded intelligence will be the norm. I see a future in which field sensors communicate directly with cloud-based AI systems to trigger maintenance, reroute resources, or even alert communities of hazards in real time. Generative AI will also play a larger role, helping teams explore hypothetical scenarios or automate technical reports based on real-world observations.
Tetra Tech is preparing for this future by continuously investing in research, talent, and partnerships. We continually evolve platforms like FusionMap to be more modular and API-friendly, enabling integration with the growing ecosystem of AI and smart infrastructure technologies. We are also doubling down on training and outreach, helping clients of all sizes understand the art of the possible—and then turn those possibilities into tangible outcomes.
We’re already seeing this potential in action for underserved communities. We’re supporting Indigenous peoples in Canada through the FusionMap AI platform, applying it across long-term planning, disaster response, and climate resiliency. This work highlights how AI-powered geospatial tools can expand access to critical insights and strengthen community preparedness in the face of growing environmental risks.
Ultimately, the future isn’t just about more data or better tools. It’s about empowering people to make smarter, faster, and more impactful decisions. That’s the core of what we’re building at Tetra Tech.