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Top 10 Structural Engineering Firms in California
California hosts some of the top structural engineering firms in the country. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, these companies offer exciting projects, career growth, and strong workplace culture. Here are 10 firms that stand out for their innovation, impact, and employee opportunities.
1. Degenkolb Engineers
Location: San Francisco, CA
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Notable Projects:
- Stanford Hospital & Clinics
- UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
- Salesforce Tower, San Francisco
- SFO Terminal 1 Renovation
Website: Degenkolb Careers
Degenkolb Engineers ranks among the top structural engineering firms in California, with its base in San Francisco. Known for healthcare and seismic retrofitting projects, the firm is a leader in complex urban development. For professionals looking to work at a reputed structural engineering firm, Degenkolb stands out in the competitive landscape of structural engineering firms in San Francisco.
2. KPFF Consulting Engineers
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
Notable Projects:
- LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse
- SoFi Stadium
- UC Irvine Medical Center
- Wilshire Grand Center
Website: KPFF Careers
KPFF is one of the largest structural engineering firms, offering extensive exposure to large-scale aviation and commercial developments. With a major presence in Los Angeles, KPFF provides career growth opportunities across diverse domains. Its reputation as a strong civil and structural engineering firm makes it a preferred employer among talent seeking varied challenges. It is also listed among the top structural engineering firms in Los Angeles.
3. Miyamoto International
Location: Sacramento, CA
Headquarters: Sacramento, CA
Notable Projects:
- Port-au-Prince Earthquake Reconstruction
- Sacramento State Parking Structures
- FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Deployments
- Istanbul Seismic Upgrades
Website: Miyamoto Careers
Miyamoto International is a mission-driven civil and structural engineering firm based in Sacramento, recognised for its work in disaster resilience. It offers unique global opportunities and is a notable player in earthquake safety. Engineers looking for purpose-led projects will find Miyamoto among the most fulfilling structural engineering firms in Sacramento, and it remains a top choice for those interested in humanitarian engineering within California.
4. Walter P Moore
Location: San Diego, CA
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Notable Projects:
- Petco Park Renovations
- San Diego Airport Expansion
- Baylor University Stadium
- Q2 Stadium, in Austin
Website: Walter P Moore Careers
Walter P Moore is well-known among San Diego structural engineering firms for concentrating on sports and airport structures. Although its headquarters are in Houston, Hines helps to shape the California skyline. The firm has become a well-regarded structural engineering company in the region that works on many different projects all over California.
5. Rutherford + Chekene (R+C)
Location: Oakland, CA
Headquarters: Oakland, CA
Notable Projects:
- California Academy of Sciences
- UC Berkeley Li Ka Shing Center
- Exploratorium at Pier 15
- UCSF Neurosciences Lab
Website: R+C Careers
Located in Oakland, R+C is a respected structural engineering firm in Bay Area, known for cultural and educational builds. Its multidisciplinary approach helps deliver innovative outcomes, especially in seismic zones. It appeals to professionals seeking depth in academic work and often features among the top structural engineering firms working across Northern California institutions and labs.
6. Nabih Youssef Associates
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
Notable Projects:
- The Broad Museum
- LA City Hall Retrofit
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
- Grand Avenue Project
Website: NYA Engineers Careers
Nabih Youssef Associates, well known for seismic design, is considered a top structural engineering firm in Los Angeles. Many in the industry watch and admire the firm’s accomplishments with cultural and public organizations. Due to the importance of its civic engineering work, the firm keeps attracting engineers wanting to do complex projects at a well-known structural engineering firm that aims for stability and public safety.
7. Coffman Engineers
Location: Orange County, CA
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
Notable Projects:
- LAX Runway Improvements
- Orange County’s main government building
- Planned Enhancements at John Wayne Airport
- Kaiser Permanente Facilities
Website: Coffman Careers
Coffman Engineers is present in Orange County and is dedicated to offering custom healthcare, aviation, and commercial design services. Carey Structural Engineering is well-respected among California structural engineering firms. Coffman encourages its engineers to participate in various fields while making the company a solid civil and structural engineering firm.
8. Tipping Structural Engineers
Location: Berkeley, CA
Headquarters: Berkeley, CA
Notable Projects:
- David Brower Center
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab Research Facility
- Facebook MPK 21 Campus
- Berkeley Art Museum
Website: Tipping Careers
Based in Berkeley, Tipping specialises in sustainable building strategies. As a focused structural engineering firms Bay Area, it delivers eco-conscious designs in civic and academic contexts. Engineers interested in environmental resilience and long-term impact are drawn to Tipping for its niche expertise and forward-looking methods, placing it among the best structural engineering firms for sustainable innovation.
9. Forell | Elsesser Engineers
Location: San Francisco, CA
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Notable Projects:
- SF Museum of Modern Art Expansion
- California Memorial Stadium Retrofit
- UC Hastings Tower Retrofit
- Asian Art Museum
Website: Forell | Elsesser Careers
Forell | Elsesser Engineers is a top-performing structural engineering firm in San Francisco, with a history of seismic leadership and civic innovation. From museums to universities, its portfolio reflects both artistic and structural excellence. Consistently cited among the top structural engineering firms in California, the firm allows engineers to work on designs that combine technical accuracy with architectural vision.
10. Buehler Engineering
Location: Sacramento, CA
Headquarters: Sacramento, CA
Notable Projects:
- Folsom High School Expansion
- CSU Sacramento Science Complex
- Westfield Galleria Enhancements
- Rancho Cordova Civic Center
Website: Buehler Careers
Buehler Engineering operates from Sacramento and is frequently recognised for its work in education infrastructure. It is a dependable name among structural engineering firms in Sacramento, especially for those starting careers in public project delivery. As a trusted civil and structural engineering firm, Buehler offers strong learning opportunities and is often highlighted in conversations about reliable firms for early-career professionals.
How Can An Structural Engineer Upskill in their Career?
In today’s fast-evolving AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) industry, traditional methods are no longer enough to stay competitive. Structural engineers aiming for faster career growth, better salaries, and international job opportunities must move beyond CAD and embrace more integrated digital workflows—starting with Building Information Modeling (BIM).
The BIM Advantage:
- Structural with BIM skills are very much in demand, earning over 40% more than the rest.
- Better use of BIM boosts efficiency, makes collaboration far simpler, and helps to achieve superior project results.
How Novatr Helps?
Novatr offers BIM Professional Course for Civil Engineers, a thorough 7-month program intended to make civil and structural engineers BIM experts. This course offers a comprehensive curriculum, guiding participants through the fundamental concepts of information modelling, parametric structure families, documentation, and presentation. It also delves into advanced topics like 3D visualisation, BIM for infrastructure, and 4D and 5D modelling. The course places a strong emphasis on practical skills, addressing key aspects such as cloud collaboration, streamlined BIM workflows, coordination, and clash detection.
Also, you'll get to learn Revit and 12+ BIM Software tools by using industry approaches. Upon course completion, you'll be eligible for certifications from both Autodesk and Novatr, validating your hands-on experience with BIM.
Key USPs:
- Dual Certification from Autodesk and Novatr: This program offers participants two valuable certifications upon completion – one from industry leader Autodesk, validating software proficiency, and another from Novatr, confirming mastery of BIM workflows and concepts, significantly boosting career credibility.
- Comprehensive Software and Workflow Mastery: Over 7 months, the program provides 40+ hours of live learning to master essential BIM workflows and 10+ industry-standard software, including Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, Construction Cloud, Tekla, and Civil 3D, preparing learners for diverse project requirements.
- ISO Verified Project Experience and Career Advancement: Participants gain practical skills through international, ISO 19650 and RIBA-structured capstone projects, building a robust portfolio. The program also offers placement assistance, leading to an average 48% CTC hike and helping secure BIM jobs in globally operating AEC firms.
- Dedicated Mentor Support and Continuous Learning: Learners receive personalized guidance and quick query resolution from global mentors who are part of the top 1% AEC companies. Additionally, they benefit from lifelong access to program content and weekly live sessions for ongoing learning, revision, and practice.
Why Choose Novatr?
- Trusted by Thousands: Join 6,000+ BIM learners from over 45 countries who have successfully graduated from Novatr.
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In a rapidly evolving industry, Novatr stands out as the premier choice for civil engineers looking to master BIM. Enroll today to future-proof your career and unlock unparalleled growth opportunities in the AEC sector.
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