Chasing Innovation: How PSC’s Commitment to Technology – and People – Drives Our Future
December 5, 2025
At Penn State Construction (PSC), innovation isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a daily practice. It shows up in the equipment we invest in, the training we provide, and the opportunities we create for our team to grow. Today, we’re excited to launch Chasing Innovation, a new series highlighting how PSC stays on the leading edge of construction technology while building an exceptional place to work and develop a career.
To kick off the series, we sat down with Austin Fisher, Estimator and Project Manager, who joined PSC in July. Austin recently completed training on our new RTK-enabled GPS technology—an investment that is transforming how our field teams work and how we deliver accuracy, speed, and reliability for our clients.
A Culture That Exceeds Expectations
Austin came to PSC with high expectations for hard work—his brother already worked here, and he knew the pace and standards would be strong. What surprised him was the culture.
“The culture was better than I could have expected,” Austin shared. “Everyone is very welcoming—happy to talk with you, happy to help, and eager to give you opportunities to prove what you’re capable of.”
That culture is a foundation of why PSC is able to embrace new technologies quickly: employees feel supported, trusted, and empowered to grow.
What Is RTK Technology—and Why Does It Matter?
PSC recently invested in advanced RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GNSS positioning systems, allowing our teams to work with centimeter-level accuracy on job sites.
In simple terms, here’s how it works:
- A base station sits on the job site as a fixed reference point.
- It measures tiny variations in GPS signals caused by the atmosphere.
- It then broadcasts correction data to the rover units—our handhelds, dozers, and excavators.
- This correction allows operators to know their exact X, Y, and Z positions on a local site grid with incredible precision—down to about half an inch, roughly the size of a golf ball.
This technology dramatically improves accuracy in grading, surveying, trenching, and material measurement.
Training That Builds Capability and Confidence
Austin’s recent RTK training covered everything from setup to advanced field application.
“The training walked us from start to finish—how to set up a Topcon RTK unit, establish control points, pull in job-site data, and connect to satellites,” Austin explained. “We got into topographic surveys, staking points, and using the tech to make sure our accuracy stays within about half an inch.”
The technology isn’t limited to handheld use. PSC’s equipment fleet—including dozers and a newly acquired excavator—can now receive digital models and automatically adjust grading or trench depth as operators work.
“The dozer can automatically tilt, lower, or raise the blade to match the design in the software,” Austin said. “You can cut a perfect 2% slope while you drive. The operator still has to know what they’re doing—the technology doesn’t replace experience—but it elevates what we can achieve.”
And for excavators:
“As you dig a trench, the system keeps a flat bottom and prevents you from going too deep. It takes guesswork out of it.”
Benefits for Our Team—and for Our Clients
This innovation pays off across the board.
For the PSC team:
- Less rework
- Faster learning curves for newer operators
- Confidence in achieving precision grades and elevations
- A more engaging, modern work environment
For clients:
- Higher accuracy
- Faster production
- Better cost control
- Better documentation and measurement
Austin sees it as a strategic advantage—especially for a company of PSC’s size.
“Large companies have this technology. For a smaller company to invest in it…it really sets Penn State Construction and Redrock Construction apart.”
Innovation as an Investment in People
Perhaps the most important part of the RTK rollout is what it signals about PSC’s values.
“I believe ambition allows a company to grow,” Austin said. “When you chase what your clients need, it gives employees more opportunities to learn—and that makes people feel valued.”
He added:
“When you invest in your employees—not just making them feel appreciated, but showing they’re important—it builds loyalty. That’s how you keep good people in this industry. And when you keep talent longer, you deliver more consistent, higher-quality projects.”
The Cool Factor: Advanced Measurement at Our Fingertips
The technology also opens new doors for efficient, data-driven decision-making.
“One of the coolest things we learned was how to compare surfaces in the Pocket 3 software,” Austin shared. “We can calculate how many cubic yards we need to cut or fill, or measure stockpiles with a level of accuracy that wasn’t possible before.”
This means faster estimates, better planning, and clearer communication with clients.
Chasing Innovation—Together
PSC’s adoption of RTK technology is just the beginning. As we continue this series, we’ll highlight new equipment, new training, and the people who make innovation possible.
Because innovation isn’t only about machines and software—it’s about creating a workplace where people can grow, contribute, and take pride in what they build.
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