Redmond, Washington-based earth science and engineering company GeoEngineers Inc., which has a longtime presence in Spokane, is expanding into the southern California market.

Chris Nordfors, chief marketing officer for GeoEngineers, says the company is starting a new office in San Diego due in part to demand from clients.

“They mentioned to us that it would be great if we had a physical presence there, so that we could collaborate on some projects more directly,” he says.

GeoEngineers had been considering expansion into California for a couple of years, as the company has completed several projects in the state, he says.

“We’ve done a number of projects with some of our civil teaming partners in that area on naval facilities,” Nordfors says. “That was our primary entree into the market.”

Nordfors says the company expects its expertise in waterfront and seismic engineering also is expected to be in demand in the San Diego area. GeoEngineers uses performance-based design, an approach in which analytical software is used to evaluate the structural reliability of a project by modeling real-world conditions a structure is likely to face, he adds.

In Southern California, those conditions can include water or earthquakes, Nordfors says.

While one employee is currently staffing the San Diego office, GeoEngineers ultimately will hire several people for its Southern California location, he says.

“It gives us a foothold in the California market in general,” Nordfors says. “It gives us a physical presence in Southern California that enables us to work more directly face-to-face with clients on projects.”

GeoEngineers has about 350 employees companywide, he says. The company has 21 offices throughout the U.S., including the San Diego office. 

In Spokane, the firm has 21 employees at its office at 523 E. Second.