Engineering the Infrastructure of Pomona
Pomona's infrastructure supports daily life for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the Inland Valley. The city sits at the junction of major freeways and several rail lines, including the Metro A Line extension and Metrolink commuter service. It depends on reliable water, sewer, and stormwater systems, and it faces ongoing challenges such as seismic safety, drought resilience, and aging infrastructure. Behind every successful infrastructure project are skilled civil engineers.
Civil engineering firms plan, design, and oversee the construction of transportation systems, water infrastructure, land development, and environmental projects. Here are ten of the best civil engineering firms serving Pomona and Southern California.
How We Evaluated These Firms
We considered technical expertise, experience with Southern California agencies such as Caltrans, Metro, and county public works departments, portfolio quality, innovation, sustainability practices, and reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget. We included global engineering leaders and respected regional firms.
The Top 10 Civil Engineering Firms Serving Pomona
1. AECOM
AECOM is one of the world's largest infrastructure consulting firms, headquartered in Los Angeles County. Its expertise spans transportation, water, environmental services, and program management, and it has played major roles in Southern California transit and highway projects.
2. Jacobs
Jacobs provides engineering, design, and program management for transportation, water, and environmental projects worldwide. Its Southern California teams work on water treatment, recycled water, and transit infrastructure that improve regional resilience.
3. Kimley-Horn
Kimley-Horn is a leading engineering firm known for transportation planning, traffic engineering, land development, and smart mobility solutions. Its Southern California offices support cities, developers, and transportation agencies with practical, client-focused engineering.
4. HNTB
HNTB specializes in transportation infrastructure, including highways, bridges, rail, and transit. The firm has deep experience with major Southern California transportation programs and helps agencies plan and deliver complex mobility projects.
5. Psomas
Psomas is a California-based engineering firm with a long history in Southern California. It provides civil engineering, surveying, water resources, and transportation services, and its local knowledge makes it a trusted partner for municipal and private development projects.
6. Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International provides engineering and consulting services in transportation, water, planning, and environmental compliance. It supports many Southern California cities with municipal engineering services, including roadway design and capital improvement programs.
7. Stantec
Stantec is a global design and engineering firm with strengths in water, transportation, community development, and environmental services. Its sustainability-focused approach helps communities build resilient infrastructure.
8. WSP
WSP is a global engineering and professional services firm with extensive transportation and infrastructure experience in California. Its expertise includes transit systems, highways, tunnels, and climate resilience planning.
9. Willdan
Willdan, based in Southern California, provides engineering, energy efficiency, and municipal consulting services to cities and public agencies. Its city engineering, plan review, and infrastructure design services help local governments manage capital projects efficiently.
10. Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of water, environmental, and infrastructure engineering services. Its expertise in stormwater management, water reuse, and environmental remediation is especially valuable in drought-conscious Southern California.
Civil Engineering Trends in Southern California
Water resilience is a top priority, with investments in recycled water, groundwater recharge, and stormwater capture. Transportation agencies are expanding transit, active transportation corridors, and complete streets. Seismic retrofits and climate adaptation are shaping bridge and building design. Digital tools such as GIS mapping, drone surveying, and digital twins are improving planning and asset management.
How to Choose a Civil Engineering Firm
Look for firms with licensed professional engineers and relevant experience in your project type. Review their record with local permitting agencies and public clients. Ask about project management practices, quality control, and approaches to sustainability and community engagement. For development projects, a firm with local entitlement experience can help avoid costly delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a civil engineering firm do on a development project? Civil engineers design grading, drainage, utilities, streets, and site improvements, and they prepare plans needed for permits and construction.
Why is stormwater management important in Pomona? Capturing and treating stormwater reduces flooding, improves water quality, and helps replenish local groundwater supplies.
Do cities hire private engineering firms? Yes. Many cities contract with private firms for design, plan review, and city engineering services to supplement their staff.
How is climate change affecting civil engineering in the region? Engineers now design for more intense storms, longer droughts, and extreme heat. That means larger stormwater capacity, heat-resistant pavement materials, drought-tolerant landscaping, and infrastructure that can recover quickly after wildfires or earthquakes.
What careers are available in civil engineering locally? Graduates of programs such as Cal Poly Pomona's civil engineering department frequently join consulting firms, public agencies, and contractors, working in transportation, water resources, structural, geotechnical, and environmental engineering.
Final Thoughts
From transit corridors and freeway improvements to water systems and flood control, civil engineering firms keep Pomona safe, connected, and resilient. Partnering with an experienced firm ensures infrastructure projects are designed to serve the community for generations.