What Rick Engineering Company does

Rick Engineering Company (branded as RICK) is a privately held, multidisciplinary civil engineering, planning, and design firm founded around 1950 in San Diego, California, with 400+ employees across 11 offices in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. The firm delivers 14 core service lines including civil engineering, community planning, surveying/mapping/photogrammetry, water resources engineering, transportation, traffic engineering, environmental planning, landscape architecture, community revitalization, reality capture (3D laser scanning), GIS & geospatial, forensic services, construction management, and training programs, and reports more than 20,000 completed projects over its 70+ year history.

The firm's technical differentiators are concentrated in its Water Resources practice (established 1980 by Dennis Bowling) and its Reality Capture service line, which combines terrestrial 3D laser scanning, point cloud processing, and web-based Reality Portal viewers to support BIM coordination for healthcare, military, and data center clients. RICK operates as a project-based professional services firm serving both public sector clients (municipalities, counties, ports, federal/military agencies including the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Olympic Committee) and private sector clients (developers, healthcare systems such as Kaiser and Scripps, retailers including CVS under a 10+ year preferred-vendor program, and educational institutions including SDSU and University of Arizona).

Revenue is generated through negotiated project-based fees and multi-year on-call/as-needed contracts, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise engagement with government agencies and private developers, supplemented by preferred-vendor program agreements that effectively productize RICK's civil and survey scope for multi-state retail rollouts. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, and its 2018 acquisition of JeHN Engineering is the only material M&A event in its recent history.

Name

Rick Engineering Company

Legal name

Rick Engineering

Website

https://rickengineering.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Rick Engineering Company is a privately held, 70+ year-old multidisciplinary civil engineering, planning, and surveying firm with 400+ employees across 11 western US offices, serving public agencies, developers, healthcare systems, universities, and enterprises via project-based and on-call contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transportation & Traffic Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAC), Construction Program Management (Multi-site/Portfolio) (IMAFAAAF)

Keywords

• Civil engineering services
• Land surveying mapping
• Water resources engineering
• Transportation planning design
• GIS geospatial services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Professional Engineering and Consulting Services: RICK generates revenue through project-based professional service fees for planning, engineering, design, surveying, and construction management services provided to government agencies, private developers, and institutional clients.
2. Preferred Vendor Program Services: As preferred vendor for major clients like CVS, RICK provides ongoing professional engineering and survey services under vendor agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rick Engineering Company is a multidisciplinary civil engineering, planning, and design firm that delivers 14 service lines — including civil engineering, community planning, surveying/mapping, water resources, transportation, traffic engineering, environmental planning, landscape architecture, Reality Capture (3D laser scanning), GIS & geospatial, forensic services, and construction management — to government agencies, private developers, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and commercial/industrial clients across the western United States. Services are provided through project-based and as-needed contracts out of 11 offices in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado.

Product overview

Rick Engineering Company is a multidisciplinary civil engineering, planning, and design firm offering a comprehensive suite of 14 core service offerings. The company's portfolio spans civil engineering, community planning, surveying/mapping, water resources, transportation, traffic engineering, environmental planning, landscape architecture, community revitalization, reality capture (3D laser scanning), GIS & geospatial services, forensic services, construction management, and training programs. These services are delivered across 11 offices throughout the western United States to clients in both public and private sectors. The firm operates as a unified practice where these interconnected services support each other across various markets including residential, public works, education, healthcare, commercial/industrial, and local government.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Civil Engineering Core civil engineering services including site development, grading, utility design, and infrastructure engineering for public and private clients across the western United States.
• Community Planning Comprehensive planning services including general plans, specific plans, and community engagement for municipalities and developers.
• Surveying, Mapping, & Photogrammetry Land surveying, topographic mapping, boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, and aerial photogrammetry services for public- and private-sector clients.
• Water Resources Engineering Hydrology, hydraulics, drainage studies, stormwater infrastructure, and water quality improvement project design; foundation division at RICK since 1980.
• Construction and Industrial Stormwater Stormwater management and pollution prevention planning for construction and industrial sites.
• Transportation Transportation planning and engineering including roadway design, interchange improvements, and traffic circulation for public- and private-sector clients.
• Traffic Engineering, Planning, & Municipal Services Traffic analysis, signal design, traffic impact studies, and municipal traffic services for cities, counties, and private developers.
• Environmental Planning Environmental review, CEQA/NEPA compliance, environmental impact reports, and environmental assessments for public- and private-sector clients.
• Landscape Architecture Landscape design, streetscape improvements, park planning, and aesthetic enhancements for public and private projects.
• Community Revitalization Urban revitalization, downtown redevelopment, and adaptive reuse planning for communities across the western US.
• Reality Capture 3D laser scanning, point cloud processing, TruView creation, surface modeling, and BIM coordination for existing conditions documentation on healthcare, military, and commercial projects.
• GIS & Geospatial Geographic information systems, spatial analysis, GIS web applications, and geospatial data management, including GIS-based master drainage plans for regional planning.
• Forensic Services Engineering forensic analysis and expert consultation for legal and insurance purposes, leveraging RICK's multidisciplinary engineering and surveying capabilities.
• Construction Management Construction administration, staking, observation, and project management services for public- and private-sector projects across the western United States.
• Training Programs Professional training and workforce development programs for engineering staff and clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 successful projects completed in 70+ years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KleinfeldercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2024Kleinfelder served as consultant alongside RICK Engineering Co. for the City of Encinitas Moonlight Beach Triple 72-in. CMP UV-CIPP Rehabilitation Project, a storm drain infrastructure upgrade that won the 2024 Trenchless Technology Project of the Year Rehabilitation Runner Up award.
• Performance Pipeline TechnologiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 November 2024Performance Pipeline Technologies served as subcontractor for the Moonlight Beach UV-CIPP Rehabilitation Project, performing the ultraviolet cured-in-place pipe lining work for the three deteriorated corrugated metal pipe culverts.
• Canigou CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICK was brought on board by client Canigou Capital to create a 3-D model reflecting the impact a 5,200-acre solar farm on the Ute Mountain tribal lands would have on the surrounding area and tribal residents.
• McMillin Land DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICK worked for both the City of San Diego and McMillin Land Development to transfer the 510-acre Naval Training Center into Liberty Station, a thriving heritage-inspired hub for commerce and arts.
• Bernards Construction CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIn partnership with Bernards Construction Company, RICK captured over 30,000 square feet at Children's Hospital LA for BIM coordination tasks including PACU and hospital rooftop areas.
• Davis ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with Davis Architects, RICK scanned existing interior space and exterior patio area for The Spotted Donkey restaurant project at El Pedregal Festival Marketplace.
• Thompson Thrift ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRICK partnered with Thompson Thrift Construction for the Switch apartment project in Colorado Springs, providing infrastructure, flat work, and building layout surveying services.
• Brightview Landscape ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICK partnered with Brightview Landscape Services on Discovery Park project in Aurora, CO, providing surveying and construction staking services for the flagship amenity serving Aurora Highlands subdivision.
• Hunt ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRICK performed civil engineering services for San Diego State University Basketball Performance Center design-build project alongside Hunt Construction as prime general contractor.
• San Diego State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdgar Camerino serves as Chair of the College of Engineering Alumni Advisory Committee at SDSU, demonstrating long-standing partnership with the university including recruitment and workforce development.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Psomas: California-based multi-disciplinary engineering, planning, surveying, and construction management firm of similar size operating across the western US. Closest comparable in service mix and regional footprint, with extensive municipal and private developer relationships.
• Michael Baker International: Large multi-disciplinary engineering, planning, and consulting firm with strong presence in transportation, water resources, and civil engineering for public and private clients, including significant western US operations. Direct overlap on service lines like water resources and transportation engineering.
• Dudek: California-based environmental and engineering consulting firm providing planning, environmental, and civil engineering services to public agencies and private developers. Strong overlap in environmental planning and municipal infrastructure work in the western US.
• Harris & Associates: Western US-focused engineering and program management firm serving municipal, education, and infrastructure clients across California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. Comparable in size and public-sector focus, especially in water and transportation.
• Brown and Caldwell: Specialty environmental and water resources engineering firm with deep water/wastewater expertise, serving municipal and industrial clients across the western US. Particularly comparable on RICK's water resources and stormwater capabilities.
• NV5 Global: Technical engineering and consulting firm that has grown significantly through acquisitions of western US civil engineering and surveying firms. Direct overlap in civil engineering, surveying, and geospatial services for infrastructure and environmental clients.

Broad incumbents

• Kimley-Horn: National multi-disciplinary engineering, planning, and design consulting firm with strong western US presence covering civil, transportation, water resources, and environmental. Larger scale but directly overlapping in core service offerings.
• Stantec: Global multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, and environmental services firm with significant California operations (acquired former RBF Consulting). Competes on similar civil, water, transportation, and planning engagements across the western US.
• Tetra Tech: Global consulting and engineering firm specializing in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure. Overlapping capabilities in water resources, environmental planning, and municipal infrastructure in the western US.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with extensive western US operations across civil, transportation, water, environmental, and planning practices. Broad incumbent competing for the same public-sector RFPs and large-scale private development projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rickengineeringcompanysd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rick-engineering-company

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rick Engineering Company