Despite a potential slowdown in work, local engineers say they are choosing to focus on infrastructure and essential needs in Orange County.
Overall, with 21 firms on the list, engineering billings by OC offices for the 12-month period ending June 30 were flat compared to last year at $1.3 billion. Companywide billings were up 2.7% to $59 billion.
The number of licensed engineers at local offices fell 11% to 905 as of August. Total OC employees came in at 3,609, up only 1.2% from a year ago.
“The current state of the engineering industry in OC is mostly positive due to the concentration of real estate development experts in Orange County and the need for more housing of all types,” said John Olivier, chief executive of Fuscoe Engineering Inc.
Fuscoe is involved in two ongoing residential projects with the Irvine Company.
Darin Anderson, chairman and CEO at Salas O’Brien, agreed that the overall industry is showing strength despite a few sectors softening.
“Demand remains steady in critical sectors here in Orange County such as healthcare, medical, and defense, where our expertise helps keep essential facilities operating at their best,” Anderson said.
“At Burns & McDonnell, we continue to see increased demand for both engineering and construction services tied to critical infrastructure,” Vice President and General Manager Rashmi Menon said. “Whether it is expanding the power grid, designing and building data centers, improving water systems, or supporting environmental and advanced manufacturing projects, our clients are seeking integrated solutions that take projects from concept to completion.”
Local Activity
Aecom Technical Services in Orange grew OC billings by 16% compared to last year with $213 million for the 12 months ended June 30. This bumped the firm up to No. 2.
Stantec’s Irvine office also saw a significant increase in local activity, showing an 18% jump to $30 million in OC billings.
The largest increase on the list resulted from last year’s closing of Tampa-based Verdantas’ acquisition of Leighton Consulting in Irvine, which contributed to the 36% jump in OC billings reported by the local office. Verdantas was able to expand business to the west coast and Leighton provided the proper resources to grow its services in the larger market, according to the company.
“In 2025, Verdantas has continued its strong trajectory of growth—both organically and through strategic acquisitions—significantly expanding our presence across Southern California,” Area Leader Kristen Williams said. “While our physical footprint in Orange County has remained relatively stable, the expansion of nearby resources has meaningfully enhanced our operational capacity.”
Verdantas said it specializes in providing geotechnical engineering, environmental science, and testing and inspection services to public clients and municipalities now including the cities of Irvine, Huntington Beach and Anaheim.
On the other hand, Salas O’Brien saw a 10% decrease to $24 million in OC billings from last year. Much of the firm’s work is focused on modernizing existing infrastructure, according to the CEO.
“Our Irvine office experienced some softening in the market after a particularly strong prior year,” Anderson said. “Fluctuations like this are a natural part of our business, and we continue to evolve by staying close to our clients.”
Notable OC Projects and Partners
Irvine-based Fuscoe, with a 12% increase to $23 million in OC billings, is working on the Irvine Co.’s Pacifica Place apartments in the Irvine Spectrum District and The Market Place apartments.
The firm credited “Irvine Company’s resurgence in the local apartment market, the impact of state housing mandates taking hold and serving a diverse mix of land development asset classes” for its year-over-year growth.
Fuscoe is also working at the OCVibe development in Anaheim, along with Stantec and Hunsaker & Associates Irvine Inc.
Burns & McDonnell is partnering with Anaheim to design and build additional power capacity in the city. The Brea-based firm, with OC billings of $108.5 million, said it’s “a meaningful opportunity to support the growing energy needs of the region and play a role in powering a destination as iconic as Disneyland.”
Wright Engineers, a newcomer this year with $4.2 million in OC billings, also lists the resort as one of its notable clients.
Santa Ana’s Tait & Associates Inc. is the master engineer of the Dana Point Harbor revitalization run by project partners Burnham Ward Properties, Bellwether Financial Group and R.D. Olson Development.
