EC&M On Air The 2025 Top 40 Electrical Design Firms: A Conversation with Top 40 Executives
Sep 26, 2025
Darin Anderson, CEO of Salas O'Brien, leads a prominent employee-owned engineering firm, while Matt Goss, a senior VP at CDM Smith, specializes in electrical engineering for public infrastructure. They delve into the surprising 18% revenue growth in 2024, key hiring challenges in the industry, and innovative strategies for attracting talent, such as employee ownership and robust internship programs. The conversation also touches on the ethical implications of AI in engineering and forecasts for 2025, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in an evolving market.
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Invest In Interns And Early-Career Paths
- Recruit and heavily invest in entry-level talent via internships, co-ops, and mentoring programs.
- Develop career pathways and remote flexibility to retain and grow engineers.
Large Internship Intake Pays Off
- Salas O'Brien ran 200 internships from 1,000 applications and emphasizes hands-on learning across markets.
- They pair ownership structure and robust training to attract new graduates.
Younger Engineers Excel With Tech
- Younger engineers bring stronger digital skills and faster learning curves than prior generations.
- Firms must enable rapid growth while providing safe oversight and mentorship.