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4 Of the Top 50 National Architecture & Engineering Firms are based in KC:
#15 Black & Veatch
#25 HNTB Corp.
#35 Burns & McDonnell
#50 Terracon
Source: Engineering News-Record

KC Careers

Architecture / Engineering

Kansas City is a hot bed for architecture, engineering and construction services. Four area architectural and engineering firms rank among the top 50 most successful in the U.S. by Engineering News-Record magazine.

Made in KC

Kansas City architects are literally changing the landscape of the planet.

  • Populous is the world leader in stadium design with 14 of the world’s most impressive stadiums in Hong Kong, Sydney (host of 2000 Olympics), San Francisco, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. In the works are new stadiums for the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Washington Nationals.
  • HNTB has done its share of innovative stadium designs, as well. Their portfolio includes Denver’s new Invesco Field and major renovations of legendary football stadiums at Ohio State, Purdue and the University of Georgia.
  • Top national architecture and engineering firms like Burns & McDonnell, Ellerbe Beckett, Black & Veatch, 360 Architecture, Hoefer Wysocki Architects and BNIM Architects are involved in a variety of nationally and internationally significant projects from downtown arenas to energy plants, retail developments, government facilities and airports.
  • A host of exciting up-and-comers including el dorado, Helix, and Gould Evans are helping to further solidify Kansas City’s spot as a leader in the world of architecture.

Professional Organizations

 

Advanced Degrees and Certifications
Kansas State University
Architectural Engineering
Architecture
Chemical Engineering (MS, Distance Learning)
Civil Engineering (MS, Distance Learning)
Engineering
Engineering Management (Distance Learning)
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Interior Architecture and Product Design
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
University of Kansas
Architecture (MA, M.Arch., PhD)
Urban Planning (MUP)
Aerospace Engineering (ME, MS, PhD, DE)
Architectural Engineering (MS.)
Bioengineering (MS, PhD)
Chemical Engineering (MS)
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (PhD)
Civil Engineering (MS, PhD, DE, MCE)
Construction Management (MCM)
Electrical Engineering (MS, PhD, DE)
Engineering Management (MS)
Environmental Engineering (MS, PhD)
Environmental Science (MS, PhD)
Mechanical Engineering (MS, PhD, DE)
Petroleum Engineering (MS)
Water Resources Science (MS)
University of Kansas-
Edwards Campus
Architecture Management (MA)
University of Missouri-
Columbia
Architectural Studies (MA, MS,PhD)
Chemical Engineering (MS, PhD)
Electrical Engineering (MS, PhD)
Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering (MS, PhD) Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MS, PhD)
Nuclear Engineering (MS,PhD)
University of Missouri-
Kansas City
Computer and Electrical Engineering (PhD)
Engineering (PhD)
Civil Engineering (MS)
Electrical Engineering (MS)
Mechanical Engineering (MS)

MBA programs are offered at most colleges in the KC area. Visit Higher Education for a list of schools.

Select Architecture and Engineering Employers
Firm Name
Office Type
Contact
360 Architecture Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
Al J. Mueller Construction Co.
Main Office
NA
Black & Veatch
World Headquarters
BNIM Architects
National Headquarters
Burns & McDonnell
World Headquarters
CRB Consulting Engineers
National Headquarters
Davidson-Brown
Headquarters
NA
DLR Group
Regional Branch
Ellerbe Becket
Regional Branch
George Butler Associates Inc.
National Headquarters
Gould Evans
Regional Affiliate
HarenLaughlin Construction Co.
Headquarters
Harris Construction Company Inc
Regional Office
Helix Architecture + Design, Inc.
National Headquarters
HR Contact
HNTB Companies
World Headquarters
Hoefer Wysocki Architects Headquarters HR Contact
JE Dunn Construction Company
National Headquarters
Kiewit Power Engineers
Division Headquarters
Mark One Electric Company Inc.
Headquarters
McAninch Corporation
Regional Branch
McCownGordon Construction
Headquarters
Meyer Companies Inc.
National Headquarters
Miller-Stauch Construction Co. Inc.
Headquarters
Olsson Associates
Regional Kansas City Branches
P1 Group
Corporate Headquarters
Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets Inc.
(PGAV Architects)
Kansas City Office
Populous
Headquarters
HR Contact
R.F. Fisher Electric Company LLC
Headquarters
1-800-385-3880
Rosemann & Associates
Corporate Headquarters
& Design Studio
R/S Electric Corporation
Headquarters
1-800-540-1938
Shafer, Kline & Warren Inc.
Corporate Offices
Terracon Consultants Inc.
Corporate Office
Tevis Architectural Group
Main Office
NA
TranSystems Corporation
Headquarters
Turner Construction Company
Company Office
& Special Projects/
Interiors Division
U.S. Engineering
Corporate Headquarters
Walton Construction Company Inc.
Regional Office

History

Kansas City’s architecture and engineering industry is responsible for the foundation of the city’s infrastructure.  As early as the 1900s, Kansas City engineering firms began to notice problems with Kansas City’s infrastructure including its water system and electric lights. 

In 1898, Clinton Burns and Robert McDonnell joined to form Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, and tackled the sewer sanitation system in Kansas City and surrounding towns.  After several projects in its first year, the new company made a profit of only 13 cents. Burns & McDonnell designed Kansas City’s first water treatment plant, which it updated again in 1945 to carry a capacity of 150 million gallons of water per day.

In 1915, Ernst Bateman Black and Nathan Thomas Veatch, began a partnership that would become an engineering legacy in Kansas City.  Black & Veatch began building roadways and streets in Kansas City in 1925.  By 1928, 250 miles of modern roadway were in place in and around Kansas City.

Many civic projects in Kansas City were constructed in the 1960s and 70s including the Truman Sports Complex, KCI Airport, Kemper Arena and the Truman Medical Center.

HOK Group also succeeded in the sports, venue and event industry. In 1983, HOK Sport Venue Event division was formed and employed eight architects and engineers.  HOK’s diverse clients include 24 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 National Football League franchises and more than 120 colleges and universities.  Since the division was formed, HOK Sport Venue Event has grown to the largest sports venue architecture and engineering firm internationally.  HOK’s latest sports venture includes master planning for the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London.  

The concentration of successful architecture and engineering companies has made Kansas City a leader in the industry.

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