In 2025, companies across oil & gas, power, chemicals, and infrastructure are under serious pressure to modernize. Aging assets, stricter safety rules, and the push for cleaner operations are forcing people to move fast and get it right the first time.
This is where the best engineering firms come in. These aren’t just design shops; rather, they are out in the field, solving problems with smart tech, tight execution, and teams that actually know what they’re doing. Below are some of the firms that are currently leading the way across North America.
What Defines the Best Engineering Firm?
The most important thing in this category is how the work holds up when it faces real conditions, and not just having the size or tools. The best firm are the ones that:
- Show up when it matters (especially during shutdowns and emergencies)
- Know how to work in tough industrial environments
- Stay compliant without slowing everything down
- Help clients make faster, safer decisions using real-time data
According to IBISWorld, the U.S. engineering services market is expected to reach $370 billion in 2025, driven by infrastructure upgrades, energy work, and environmental compliance. But most of that work and environmental compliance. But most of that work will go to firms that can actually do it.
Top Engineering Firms Driving Innovation in North America
1. Amerapex Corporation
Amerapex Corporation is a Houston-based firm that works across oil & gas, refineries, power generation, and environmental sites. They’re usually brought in for high-risk scopes like turnarounds, shutdowns, asset inspections, and emergency response, especially when time and safety are critical.
They stay involved throughout the job. Their teams stick with it from start to finish, helping clients spot problems early and avoid costly delays.
Their Capabilities:
- Engineering and design services
- Asset integrity and advanced inspection (including NDT)
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Environmental and emissions-related solutions
For companies that need boots on the ground, Amerapex is the kind of partner that delivers when the pressure is on.
2. Jacobs
Jacobs has a big footprint across North America, especially in water, infrastructure, and energy transition work. They’re moving into sustainability and digital tools to help their clients hit climate goals while keeping operations running.
3. Fluor Corporation
Fluor is one of the major players in engineering and construction, known for large-scale energy, chemicals, and industrial projects. They’re pushing modular builds and smoothening the construction to speed things up and reduce the carbon impact.
4. Burns & McDonnell
Burns & McDonnell is employee-owned and has a strong reputation in power, aviation, and manufacturing. They’ve been pushing more design-build projects lately, which helps clients get faster results with fewer handoffs.
5. Hatch
Hatch focuses on mining, metals, energy, and infrastructure. Their teams are helping a lot of companies modernize old systems, cut emissions, and stay ahead of environmental rules, especially in Canada and the U.S.
How to Choose the Right Partner
If you’re running a facility or planning a capital project, you need a firm that knows the environment you’re working in. Look for:
- Proven experience in your industry
- Teams that can actually execute in the field
- A solid safety record
- Flexibility during shutdowns and emergency scopes
Amerapex, for example, brings multiple services under one roof, so that you don’t have to juggle different vendors for inspections, engineering, and compliance.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, engineering firms aren’t just being hired for drawings or compliance paperwork, but they’re being brought in to solve serious, on-the-ground problems. The best firms today are the ones that know how to deliver in high-risk environments, work fast during shutdowns and turnarounds, and stay involved when things get tough.
We covered a handful of companies leading that charge across North America. These firms bring real field expertise, tech that actually helps, and teams that stay accountable from planning to execution. Amerapex, in particular, stands out for its ability to handle complex scopes across oil & gas, power, and environmental projects while staying hands-on through every phase.
Choosing the right engineering firm isn’t just about who’s well-known, it’s about who can actually get the work done when it matters. The best engineering partners show up, adapt fast, and deliver under pressure. That’s what sets them apart.