Carr Engineering

What Carr Engineering does

Carr Engineering, Inc. (CEI) is a Houston, Texas-based automotive engineering consulting firm founded in 1984, providing forensic and design-engineering services to legal, insurance, and government clients. The company organizes its work around four service lines: Vehicle Design Analysis (crashworthiness, handling/stability, ABS/ESC, airbags, throttle/ETC, transmission, chassis, electric/electronic, and tire/wheel systems); Crash Investigation & Reconstruction (rapid response investigation, advanced 3D scene survey, crash risk analysis, Bosch CDR imaging, EDR analysis, pre/post-crash kinematic analysis); Vehicle Testing (dynamic testing, off-highway testing, full-scale crash testing, HYGE crash simulator, component failure analysis, static stability factor determination); and Electronic Vehicle Control System Analysis (ECU analysis, ADAS characterization, ISO 26262 functional safety, EMC assessment, embedded software analysis, instrumentation prototyping).

These services are delivered through five integrated laboratory facilities located at the company's 12500 Castlebridge Dr headquarters: a 3D Analysis & Animation Studio (UAS survey, Faro 3D scanning, total station surveying, photogrammetry, kinematic video animation); a Crashworthiness Laboratory (HYGE crash simulator with Delta-V to ~60 mph, anthropomorphic surrogates, vehicle inversion apparatus); a Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory (full-scale closed-course and highway testing, ESC testing, tire failure mode testing, inertial parameter measurement); an Electronics Analysis Laboratory (ECU circuit design, electronic forensics, fault injection, EDR module data recovery); and a General Vehicle Analysis capability for tilt-table testing, CDR imaging, demonstrative exhibits, and scale/functional models.

The firm operates a traditional professional-services business model: project-based, quote-priced, multi-year engagements sold direct to enterprise buyers (law firms, insurance carriers, and government/regulatory bodies) requiring forensic automotive evidence for litigation support, claims investigation, and safety/regulatory assessment. The team is composed of engineers, 3D animators, vehicle technicians, and support staff, with named engineers including Dan Barnes, Michael Broad, Ron Chadwick, Jennifer Crimeni, Amanda Duran, and Michael Johnston. Effective June 5, 2024, Carr Engineering became a subsidiary of YA Group, a multi-disciplinary technical consulting firm; founder Michael Carr was the prior owner. Carr Engineering operates exclusively in the United States with deployment capability from its Houston base.

Name

Carr Engineering

Legal name

Carr Engineering, Inc.

Website

https://carrengineeringinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carr Engineering is a Houston-based automotive engineering consulting firm providing vehicle design analysis, crash investigation, reconstruction, and electronic vehicle control system analysis to legal, insurance, and government clients since 1984.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forensic Automotive Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation & Traffic Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Product Design & Mechanical Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAJ)

Keywords

• Accident reconstruction services
• Crash investigation consulting
• Automotive engineering analysis
• Vehicle crashworthiness testing
• Forensic vehicle electronics analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for automotive engineering analysis, crash investigation, vehicle testing, and electronic control system analysis. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with legal, insurance, and government clients requiring forensic automotive analysis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Carr Engineering provides automotive engineering consulting services spanning four areas: vehicle design analysis, crash investigation and reconstruction, vehicle testing, and electronic vehicle control system analysis. The firm supports these services with on-site laboratory facilities including a 3D analysis and animation studio, a crashworthiness laboratory (HYGE crash simulator), a vehicle dynamics laboratory, and an electronics analysis laboratory. Engagements are project-based and serve legal, insurance, and government clients requiring forensic and engineering analysis.

Product overview

Carr Engineering is an automotive engineering consulting firm providing specialized analysis and testing services. The company operates as a unified consulting service organization offering four core service areas: Vehicle Design Analysis, Crash Investigation & Reconstruction, Vehicle Testing, and Electronic Vehicle Control System Analysis. These services are supported by five integrated laboratory facilities including a 3D Analysis & Animation Studio, Crashworthiness Laboratory, Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, Electronics Analysis Laboratory, and General Vehicle Analysis capabilities. The company serves the legal, insurance, and automotive industries with forensic engineering expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vehicle Design Analysis Engineering analysis of vehicle components and systems including crashworthiness, handling and stability, braking systems, electronic stability control, safety systems, and electric/electronic systems. Used by legal, insurance, and government clients evaluating vehicle design performance.
• Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Rapid response investigation services using advanced scene survey technologies, 3D analysis, crash risk analysis, Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) system imaging, Event Data Recorder (EDR) analysis, and pre/post-crash kinematic analysis. Used by law firms and insurance companies for litigation support and claims investigation.
• Vehicle Testing Dynamic testing services including vehicle acceleration/deceleration testing, off-highway testing, location-specific demonstrations, full-scale crash testing, component failure analysis, and HYGE crash simulator testing. Used by manufacturers, legal teams, and regulators requiring physical vehicle performance data.
• Electronic Vehicle Control System Analysis Analysis of electronic control modules, ADAS characterization, functional safety assessment (ISO 26262), EMC assessment, embedded software analysis, and instrumentation prototyping. Used by manufacturers, suppliers, and legal teams analyzing vehicle electronics.
• 3D Analysis & Animation Studio 3D modeling of vehicles and environments, video animation, kinematic analysis, UAS survey and digital imaging, 3D laser scanning, total station surveying, and photogrammetry services. Used by legal teams needing demonstrative evidence and by engineers performing scene reconstructions.
• Crashworthiness Laboratory HYGE crash simulator testing with delta-V up to 60 mph, event-specific crash pulse re-creation, anthropomorphic surrogate analysis, vehicle inversion apparatus, drop testing, and component testing capabilities. Used by manufacturers, insurers, and legal clients needing controlled crash test data.
• Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory Full-scale vehicle testing in closed course and highway environments, vehicle instrumentation, tire laboratory for failure mode testing, electronic stability control testing, and inertial parameter measurement including center of gravity position. Used by manufacturers and litigators needing vehicle dynamics data.
• Electronics Analysis Laboratory ECU circuit design analysis, electronic forensics, electrical system integrity testing, fault injection testing, serial communication analysis, actuator and sensor durability testing, and damaged EDR module data recovery. Used by legal teams and manufacturers needing forensic electronics and ECU analysis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rapid response investigation capability for crash scene analysis
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• YA Groupmajor acquisitionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024As of June 5, CEI (Carr Engineering Inc.) is now part of YA Group, a preeminent technical consulting firm. YA Group specializes in accident reconstruction and biomechanics, forensic accounting, government grant consulting, and the planning and forensic assessment of the built environment. This represents an acquisition of Carr Engineering by YA Group, marking an exciting new chapter for the company.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MGA Research Corporation: Independent vehicle testing laboratory performing crash testing, sled testing, and component validation in automotive and commercial applications — directly comparable proprietary testing infrastructure to Carr's HYGE and crashworthiness labs.
• Scientific Safety Solutions: Forensic engineering firm offering accident reconstruction, biomechanical analysis, and vehicle dynamics testing to the legal industry — comparable specialty consulting practice and expert-witness delivery model.
• ARCCA: Engineering and scientific consulting firm providing accident reconstruction, biomechanics, and vehicle testing services to legal and insurance clients — directly comparable in core offering, customer base, and forensic expert-witness model.
• Biomechanics Research Foundation: Forensic engineering firm providing accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, and biomechanical analysis to plaintiff and defense counsel — comparable forensic engineering and expert witness specialty practice.
• KARCO Engineering: Vehicle crash testing and product evaluation laboratory offering full-scale crash testing, sled testing, and engineering analysis for automotive, motorcycle, and off-road vehicles — comparable proprietary test facilities and engineering consulting deliverable.
• Collision Analysis & Research: Boutique accident reconstruction and vehicle forensic engineering consultancy performing crash investigations and EDR/CDR analysis for legal and insurance clients — directly comparable niche forensic engineering business model.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD America: Global testing, inspection and certification firm providing automotive and mobility testing, EMC, functional safety, and homologation services — broader incumbent with overlapping automotive E/E testing and ISO 26262 capabilities relevant to Carr's electronics lab.
• Rimkus Consulting Group: National forensic engineering and consulting firm with vehicle accident reconstruction, biomechanics, and failure analysis practices — comparable forensic engineering model serving legal/insurance markets but with broader multi-discipline platform.
• Exponent: Large public engineering and scientific consulting firm offering vehicle engineering, accident reconstruction, biomechanics, and electronic/electrical systems analysis across transportation and consumer product industries — broad overlap with Carr's service portfolio at much larger scale.

Others

• YA Group: Parent company and acquirer of Carr Engineering as of June 5, 2024. YA Group is a technical consulting firm specializing in accident reconstruction and biomechanics, forensic accounting, government grant consulting, and built-environment assessment — overlapping directly with Carr's automotive forensic practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carr-engineering-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Carr Engineering