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What Is an Engineering Consulting Firm?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An engineering consulting firm is a company which provides expert advice to clients by request. There are a number of reasons to retain the services of such a firm, ranging from the need for an expert witness in a criminal case to the desire for the services of an engineer during the development of a real estate project. These firms typically specialize in a particular branch of engineering, such as environmental engineering, electrical engineering, or chemical engineering, maintaining experts who work full time for the firm or are held on a retainer so that they are always available.

Like other consulting firms, an engineering consulting company is designed to provide people with access to highly trained and very skilled experts who provide information, advice, and recommendations to their clients. Since many people do not have the need for a full time engineer on staff, an engineering firm provides people with the resources available to the engineer without the need to keep an engineer continuously employed. Access to a specialist can be critically important for a number of applications.

Engineers are often hired to consult on the design and construction of new facilities.
Engineers are often hired to consult on the design and construction of new facilities.

Tasks performed by an engineering consulting firm can vary considerably. The firm may be called in after the fact to evaluate the response to an engineering failure, or to audit a company's engineering department to identify flaws and areas where the department could benefit from improvement. The firm may also be brought in at the beginning of a project, when the expertise of people from numerous fields is required to ensure that a project runs smoothly. Engineering consulting companies are designed to help people improve their performance, whether they are trying to design a new manufacturing facility or discussing ways to clean up the natural environment.

Some engineers are experts in manufacturing processes, while others have another focus.
Some engineers are experts in manufacturing processes, while others have another focus.

Employees of an engineering consulting firm include engineers, along with assistants who help them collect and process data, arrange meetings, and develop documentation of their work. The administration in the firm is responsible for assigning clients to the best staff members, coordinating relationships between clients and individual engineers, and promoting the firm so that people are familiar with the services it offers.

An engineering consulting firm may be hired to evaluate the effectiveness of specific parts of the manufacturing process.
An engineering consulting firm may be hired to evaluate the effectiveness of specific parts of the manufacturing process.

Clients may establish a one time relationship with an engineering consulting firm, calling the firm in for a very particular need, or they may have an ongoing relationship. Some companies and organizations have routine needs for the services of consulting firms due to the nature of the work that they do, and they may enjoy maintaining a strong relationship with a particular engineering consulting firm.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

KaBoom

@starrynight - I could definitely see how you might run into trouble hiring an engineering consultant who is a one man operation so to speak. It definitely seems like it would be safer to hire someone from a large, established engineering consulting firm.

On the other hand, hiring from a large firm doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get quality either. With a large or small firm I think it would still be important to check references and credentials.

starrynight

Consulting firms in general can be a great idea when a company doesn't need the help on a full time basis. However I would like to offer a word of caution to potential employers, especially small businesses.

Anyone can go into business for themselves and form a sole proprietorship and call it a structural engineering consulting firm. Even if the person does have a degree in engineering that doesn't necessarily mean they have all the expertise to be in business for themselves. Before hiring a consultant be sure to thoroughly check into their background and their references and get someone experience.

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    • Engineers are often hired to consult on the design and construction of new facilities.
      By: Kadmy
      Engineers are often hired to consult on the design and construction of new facilities.
    • Some engineers are experts in manufacturing processes, while others have another focus.
      By: uwimages
      Some engineers are experts in manufacturing processes, while others have another focus.
    • An engineering consulting firm may be hired to evaluate the effectiveness of specific parts of the manufacturing process.
      By: Maurizio Targhetta
      An engineering consulting firm may be hired to evaluate the effectiveness of specific parts of the manufacturing process.