The SSOE Employee Experience
Employee-Centric Approach
At SSOE, we see you as a human being, not an employee number. We know that your work life isn’t your only life—and we don’t want it to be. We strive to offer a healthy balance, flexible working arrangements, and an understanding that sometimes you have other priorities.
Because of our size and growth trajectory, SSOE can offer growth opportunities at all stages of your career that many smaller firms struggle to offer. We’re transparent and collaborative in working with you to design your career and every employee develops a formal career path that they regularly discuss with their manager.
Technology & Innovation
Our clients increasingly commend us for our innovative approach to achieving their goals. With a full-time group dedicated to innovation, SSOE equips our employees to drive collaboration through creativity and a full suite of tools and techniques like reality capture, modularization, off-site prefabrication, virtual reality, and BIM. And if you’re not familiar with a particular technology platform or application, we can help. We love eager learners and have programs in place to train you.
Access to Leadership & Multiple Pathways to Ownership
Unlike in many large firms, at SSOE you’ll have direct personal access to all of our leadership team and opportunities like our quarterly town halls to ask questions and participate in the conversation about how we run the firm. SSOE also offers ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above—opening up investment opportunities you can directly impact and benefit from as the company continues to grow.
Community Involvement
We are active in our communities through volunteerism and charitable giving. Every year, our employee population is challenged to donate 20+ volunteerism hours per person, which SSOE matches with a donation as a way of supporting the future of our communities. We also added MLK Day as a paid holiday and encourage our employees to use this time for acts of service.
Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
We are committed to providing a workplace culture where our employees feel respected, included, and safe bringing their whole selves to work. Led by our corporate Director of DEI and internal DEI champions, SSOE is making strides towards this goal by increasing diversity throughout our firm, providing DEI training and creating Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to promote inclusivity and professional advancement for employees in historically marginalized groups. We’re also discussing challenges and opportunities via our DEI podcast A Blueprint for Equity, and nurturing DEI at a societal level through community and university partnerships.
Learn more about our approach to DEI here.
Agility & Autonomy
At SSOE, we eliminate the red tape you may experience at larger employers. While we do provide guidelines and mentorship, we also empower our team members to take ownership of their work and provide the flexibility and resources they need to keep clients happy. In fact, 98% of our surveyed clients say they would recommend us to a colleague—proof that happy employees = happy clients!
Global Projects & Market Diversification
Our work is diverse both geographically and across a wide range of market sectors and project types. As a result, our employees get the experience of working with Fortune 100 clients around the globe as well as peace of mind that their careers will withstand any economic ups and downs.
SSOE: The Best of Both Worlds
At SSOE, our growth trajectory allows us to offer the opportunities normally associated with a large firm while embracing the collaborative and supportive culture often found in smaller firms. As a member of the SSOE team, you will work on exciting and diverse projects for Fortune 100 clients around the globe, supported by the best technology for the task at hand. You will experience our employee-centric culture that strives to offer a healthy balance, flexible working arrangements, direct access to leadership at all levels, and a mindset of continuous learning.
Why Choose SSOE?
Providing the best possible workplace for our employees gives us a competitive advantage—helping us attract and retain top talent and drive better business results.
There are many components that make up what SSOE has to offer our employees, which we like to call our Employment Value Proposition.
The Proof is in the Numbers
With a history of stability spanning more than 70 years, we’ve continued to succeed in an industry of constant change and disruption. Our clients have consistently reported to us that our people are one of our greatest strengths and differentiators.
In 2007, Building Design & Construction named SSOE a “Best AEC Firm to Work For.” More than a decade later, our workplace environment is still gaining attention. Here’s a timeline of the distinguishing marks we’ve received from independent sources to provide you with a snapshot of what you can expect when you join our team.
2023
Top Engineering Firm
With over 40 years of experience executing projects in the Southeast U.S., we were among the top 25 firms in the Birmingham Business Journal’s List in 2023—ranking #9. SSOE has been named a “Top Engineering Firm” in Birmingham, Alabama for eight consecutive years.
2022
Hot Firm
In 2022, SSOE was featured on Zweig Group’s “Hot Firm” List again, further signifying us as one of the fastest-growing architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S. Our new #34 ranking reflects an increase of 59 spots over the 2021 list results.
2022
Top Engineering Firm
With over 40 years of experience executing projects in the Southeast U.S., we were among the top 25 firms in both the Birmingham Business Journal’s and Nashville Business Journal’s Top Engineering Firm Lists in 2022—ranking #9 and #20, respectively. SSOE has been named a “Top Engineering Firm” in Birmingham, Alabama for seven consecutive years and a “Top Engineering Firm” in Nashville, Tennessee for five.
Showcasing our work in the Pacific Northwest, SSOE has been among the Top 15 firms in the Portland Business Journal for three consecutive years, ranking #8 in 2022.
2022
Great Workplace
In 2022, SSOE was re-certified as a “Great Workplace” by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®—proof we are going to great lengths to give our employees the flexibility, challenges, and rewards they’re looking for.
2021
Top Engineering Firm
In 2021, SSOE was named among the top 25 firms in Birmingham Business Journal, Nashville Business Journal, and Portland Business Journal—ranking #14, #19, and #12, respectively.
2021
Hot Firm
SSOE was featured on Zweig Group’s “Hot Firm” List for the fifth consecutive year in 2021. This ranking, established over 20 years ago, is the only list celebrating and honoring growth in the industry.
2020
Top Engineering Firm
In 2020, SSOE was named among the top 25 firms in Birmingham Business Journal, Nashville Business Journal, and Portland Business Journal—ranking #4, #15, and #12, respectively.
2019
Great Workplace
In 2019, SSOE was named a “Great Workplace” for the fourth consecutive year by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®—proof we are going to great lengths to give our employees the flexibility, challenges, and rewards they’re looking for.
2019
Hot Firm
SSOE was featured on Zweig Group’s “Hot Firm” List for the third consecutive year in 2019, further signifying us as one of the fastest-growing architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S.
2019
Top Engineering Firm
In 2019, we were featured among the top 10 firms in both the Birmingham Business Journal’s and Nashville Business Journal’s Top Engineering Firms List—ranking #3 and #8, respectively.
2018
Great Workplace
In 2018, SSOE was named a “Great Workplace” for the third consecutive year by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®.
2018
Hot Firm
In 2018, SSOE was featured on Zweig Group’s “Hot Firm” List again, further signifying us as one of the fastest-growing architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S.
This ranking, established over 20 years ago, is the only list celebrating and honoring growth in the industry.
2018
All-Star Employer
SSOE was named 2018’s “All-Star Employer” by Samaritan Health Plans for exemplifying best in workplace wellness, recognizing the firm among the more than 35 companies in Oregon that competed for the honor.
A home run for SSOE, the award proves we’re creating a healthy, happy, and high-performing work environment for our employees.
2018
Top Engineering Firm
SSOE was named one of Birmingham Business Journal‘s “Top Engineering Firms” for the third consecutive year. The list ranks the top 25 engineering firms in Birmingham, Alabama, based on the total number of licensed professional engineers. SSOE, named the second largest engineering firm in the city, moved up two spots in 2018.
SSOE was also ranked #5 on Nashville Business Journal‘s “Top Engineering Firms” list in 2018. This was the first time the firm was named on this list.
2017
Great Workplace
In 2017, SSOE was named a “Great Workplace” for the second consecutive year by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures.
2017
Top Engineering Firm
SSOE was named the fourth largest engineering firm for the second consecutive year by the Birmingham Business Journal.
We have a diverse pool of architectural and engineering professionals in our five Southeast U.S. offices, which are complimented by 13 additional offices across the U.S. and around the world.
2017
Hot Firm
SSOE was named a “Hot Firm” by management consulting and research firm Zweig Group in 2017, a ranking that signifies SSOE is one of the fastest-growing architecture and engineering firms in the U.S.
Our employees spend their day on the cutting-edge of R&D, bringing well-known products to market, and helping clients expand globally.
2016
Great Workplace
The independent analysts at Great Place to Work® first honored SSOE with their “Great Workplace” certification in 2016 based on exemplary ratings provided by our U.S. employees in an anonymous survey.
2016
Top Engineering Firm
In 2016, the Birmingham Business Journal named SSOE the fourth largest engineering firm in Birmingham, Alabama based on the total number of local licensed professional engineers. We continue to make our mark throughout Alabama.
2014
Culture of Health
CHC Wellness honored SSOE with their Culture of Health Award for our leadership in raising the level of engagement among employees by creating a culture of health that encourages, supports, and rewards healthy living.
By dedicating considerable efforts to expand participation in our wellness programs, we’ve been able to positively impact the lives of our employees.
2011
Distinguished Employer
In 2011, SSOE was named a “Distinguished Employer” by the Ohio Cooperative Education Association for our exceptional commitment to providing employment and learning opportunities to our co-ops.
If you’re looking for a student co-op / internship program that offers high-quality work assignments, hands-on technical training, scholarship opportunities, and more, you’ve come to the right place.
2011
Work-Life Balance
SSOE was recognized by national labor and employment law firm Constangy, Brooks & Smith for our commitment to work-life balance.
With flexible working arrangements, a compressed work week program, and the ability to buy and sell personal time off, we’re making sure our employees have the versatility they need.
2010
Psychologically Healthy
The Ohio Psychological Association named SSOE one of four “Psychologically Healthy Workplaces” in 2010.
Evaluated in five areas—involvement, growth and development, health and safety, recognition, and work-life balance—SSOE earned high marks for fostering our employee’s overall health and well-being.
2010
Healthiest Employers
SSOE was recognized as one of “Middle Tennessee’s Healthiest Employers” by the Nashville Business Journal based on our employee wellness program.
With a proactive approach to wellness and preventive health benefits, we don’t just tell employees to “take care”—we help them do that.
2009
Parent-Friendly
Balancing work and family is one of the most significant parenting challenges. In 2009, the United Way and Lucas County Family Council recognized SSOE with their Parent-Friendly Workplace Award for being supportive of family obligations.
We understand that employees need flexibility to make decisions in the best interest of their families while meeting their employment responsibilities.
2008
Human Resources Award
In 2008, SSOE was honored by the University of Toledo and Toledo Area Human Resources Association for our outstanding recruitment program, clearly defined progression track, industry-leading 401(k) and profit sharing plans, and learning and development program.
Today, our consistently high employee retention rate proves people are still getting what they want and need from SSOE.
2007
Cool Place To Work
SSOE was named a “Cool Place to Work” by Crain’s Detroit Business for our innovative work-life balance and talent management initiatives, communication, total benefits package, corporate citizenship, and fun culture.
2007
Best AEC Firm
Building Design+Construction named SSOE a “Best AEC Firm to Work For” in 2007, an honor given to industry-leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.