MELBOURNE, Florida — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture and construction firm, was joined by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast at a ribbon-cutting and open house event on April 4. Attendees celebrated the firm’s rapid growth in Florida and its newest office — at 6767 N. Wickham Road, Suite 106 — which opened in July 2022. This office currently has 10 employees with plans to double that number by year’s end and reach 50 employee-owners by 2025 — a testament to the momentum generated by innovative aerospace, space and defense projects along Florida’s Space Coast.

“The dynamic activity we are witnessing in the local aerospace industry during the Space Coast’s second golden age is unique to the world,” said Lynda L. Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “The continued success of Burns & McDonnell in Brevard County is a true reflection of this activity. As a valued member of the EDC Board of Directors, I congratulate them for this exceptional accomplishment.”

In 2023, Burns & McDonnell is celebrating its 125th anniversary and recently hired its 125th employee-owner in Florida. The firm will continue its expansion in Florida during the coming years, adding jobs from the local community and recruiting from local universities.

“The Space Coast is home to the best aerospace designers and engineers, and the employees of Burns & McDonnell are a welcome addition to our growing STEM-based workforce,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, whose district includes Melbourne. “These employees are vital to our technological advancement, maintaining America’s leadership in space, and ultimately building our future.”

The office in Melbourne is led by Richard Pruss, PE, who has more than 17 years of experience in structural engineering and design-build project delivery supporting aerospace, government and manufacturing facility projects. Employee-owners in the Melbourne office work primarily on state-of-the-art aerospace and defense projects.

“We look forward to being part of the economic growth and prosperity of Melbourne and Florida as we build a thriving and growing aerospace team — right here in the Space Coast,” said Rich Mahaley, vice president and general manager of Burns & McDonnell in Florida. “Our Melbourne team is delivering innovative solutions and we are thrilled to work with our commercial aerospace partners. As we add exceptional talent to this growing team, we’ll continue delivering world-class service to support the Space Coast and surrounding communities.”

Burns & McDonnell is proud to rank among the nation’s leading design and construction firms, including No. 1 in the Power sector and No. 2 in the Aerospace sector of Engineering News Record’s Top 500 Design Firms.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of more than 13,500 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from 70 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.