Engineering Services

Our Approach to Engineering

The needs of our society are ever-changing: HDJ’s engineering team strives to meet these needs with intentionally-designed living spaces, workplaces, senior living communities, healthcare centers, and commercial spaces.

HDJ’s in-house engineering team of mechanical/plumbing and electrical engineers support projects for clients throughout the United States. Carefully and thoughtfully designed systems have the potential to improve lives – the vision behind everything we do.

To accomplish these goals, our engineers work closely with our architects to bring diverse projects to life. Our engineers design systems that meet codes and requirements across a variety of sectors.

Safety, sustainability, and reliability are at the forefront. Our experience with technology, planning, cost estimating, and problem-solving enables us to provide innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for our clients.

Learn about our Sustainability efforts

National Experience in Diverse Building Types

HDJ has supported more than $1.2 Billion in construction value in the last four years alone, including projects in:

  • New Construction
  • Adaptive Reuse Renovation
  • Acquisition Rehab
  • Existing Build-to-Suit
  • Historic Preservation

Our Engineering Approach: “Good. Better. Best”

Supporting projects throughout the United States, HDJ places a tremendous amount of importance on managing costs on behalf of our clients. HDJ has created strategies and processes to work closely with our clients as trusted advisors to provide efficiently-planned and designed projects that maximize value within a budget.

Our Expertise in Engineering

Our engineers specialize in A/E projects nationwide across many sectors.

Aerial view of a group of affordable housing apartment buildings, called Grand View Place, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Affordable Housing

As industry leaders in affordable housing, HDJ designs systems to support affordable housing projects throughout the country. Our passion is improving the lives of our local communities through design, all while driving our client’s bottom line.

Our Affordable Housing Sector
White apartment building with nine black balconies in view.

Market Rate Multifamily

Expertly designed systems are key to balancing the resident experience with long-term operational needs. Our engineering expertise encompasses new construction, adaptive reuse, renovation, capital expenditure, and additions

Our Market Rate Multifamily Sector
Grand River Bank, a brown brick two-story building under an overcast sky.

Commercial Retail

Retail centers rely on innovative MEP design to bring to life a positive and memorable experience. Our engineers meet the ever-evolving needs of our commercial retail clients with inspired design while maximizing value.

Our Commercial Retail Sector
Side exterior view of Provision senior living building with front landscape

Senior Living

Our engineers work closely with our architects to deliver the best residential care imaginable for senior communities. Our experience in senior living developments spans from a few dozen to several hundred residents, and from $1 million to over $30 million in construction costs.

Our Senior Living Sector
HDJ Cassapolis Healthcare Exterior building entrance.

Healthcare

As healthcare organizations are challenged to deliver an outstanding patient experience, we navigate these challenges by designing spaces that give world-class care for all types of patients. Our extensive healthcare experience includes programming, planning, design and construction administration services. 

Our Healthcare Sector
Grand Valley State University aerial view of water resource building located on mini peninsula

Government & Education

As healthcare organizations are challenged to deliver an outstanding patient experience, we navigate these challenges by designing spaces that give world-class care for all types of patients. Our extensive healthcare experience includes programming, planning, design, and construction administration services.

Our Government & Education Sector

Our Engineers

We’re innovators, solution finders, adventure seekers, and dedicated deliverers of design for developers. Meet our engineers!

Headshot of Alex Kerslake.

Alex Kerslake

Mechanical Engineer

Headshot of Christian Matthews.

Christian Matthews

Electrical Engineer

Headshot of David Spiegel, EIT.

David Spiegel, PE

Mechanical Engineer

Grace-Roberts-PE-Electrical-Engineer

Grace Roberts, PE

Electrical Engineer

Ike Kuiper, PE, CDT Senior Mechanical Engineer

Ike Kuiper, PE, CDT

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Jacob Tear

Jacob Tear

Mechanical Engineer

Headshot of Josh Wahr.

Josh Wahr, CPD

Mechanical Engineer

Headshot of Ladd Marks.

Ladd Marks, PE

Senior Electrical Engineer

Headshot of Lane Bentsen.

Lane Bentsen, PE

Vice President Engineering

Liam Allen, Mechanical Engineer

Liam Allen

Mechanical Engineer

Mitchell Sherwood, Electrical Engineer

Mitchell Sherwood

Electrical Engineer

Headshot of Rob Gustafson.

Rob Gustafson, PE

COO

Headshot of Rob Sherwood.

Rob Sherwood

Electrical Engineer

Headshot of Scott Haskins.

Scott Haskins

Electrical Engineer

Headshot of Steve VanAst, EIT.

Steve VanAst, EIT

Mechanical Engineer

Headshot of Will Mouw.

Zach Davis

Mechanical Engineer

Join the Team

HDJ is continuously seeking passionate mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, engineering professionals, and engineering interns to share our vision and join our team to help us improve lives through design. 

Explore our engineering job openings across the United States

Nationwide Engineering Services

HDJ is an architectural engineering firm with headquarters in Michigan and distributed workforce locations throughout the United States. The HDJ team of engineers supports projects nationwide. Team up with our architects and engineers today to efficiently plan and design your projects to maximize value within budget.

Contact us at any one of our offices, including:

Atlanta, GA

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Chicago, IL

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Cleveland, OH

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Detroit, MI

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Grand Rapids, MI

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Indianapolis, IN

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Los Angeles, CA

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Muskegon, MI

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Phoenix, AZ

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Interactive USA Map

  Atlanta, GA  

  Chicago, IL  

  Cleveland, OH

  Detroit, MI  

  Grand Rapids, MI  

  Indianapolis, IN  

  Los Angeles, CA  

  Muskegon, MI  

  Phoenix, AZ  

Engineering Case Studies

TEN21 Exterior Building Rendering

TEN21 | Muskegon, MI

September 29, 2022

Downtown Muskegon is undergoing an impressive transformation, and the General Capital Group has played a crucial role. Community reinvestment, redevelopment, and revitalization are vital to this change. The heart of Muskegon’s Lakeshore has seen a growing community come alive with history, art, performance venues, and culture. This growth has created the need for more affordable living options. TEN21 Apartments is the General Capital+HDJ team’s latest endeavor and an exceptional example of this growth and transformation.

View Project »
Street view of apartment building named Osborn Commons during evening hours in downtown Sue Ste Marie, Michigan

Osborn Commons with Woda Cooper + HDJ

June 9, 2022

While HDJ certainly doesn’t chase or design for awards and honors, we have to admit that it is nice to be recognized for our impactful contribution to improving lives. One recent project that is indicative of our portfolio was selected for honors through a pair of programs. Osborn Commons, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a prime example of the positive impact affordable housing and community development can have on a neighborhood and city.

View Project »
HOM Flats Building surrounded by cars and facility sign

HŌM Flats 28 West + HDJ

May 25, 2022

How do we meet the challenge of developing affordable living workforce housing solutions? This is a challenge facing communities throughout the country, including West Michigan. One ardent and perceptive developer is helping meet this affordable living challenge by transforming the residential experience.Magnus Capital Partners (Magnus), a privately-held asset management and real estate investment firm, focuses on developing innovative residential communities.

View Project »
TEN21 Exterior Building Rendering
TEN21 | Muskegon, MI

TEN21 | Muskegon, MI

•
September 29, 2022

Downtown Muskegon is undergoing an impressive transformation, and the General Capital Group has played a crucial role. Community reinvestment, redevelopment, and revitalization are vital to this change. The heart of Muskegon’s Lakeshore has seen a growing community come alive with history, art, performance venues, and culture. This growth has created the need for more affordable living options. TEN21 Apartments is the General Capital+HDJ team’s latest endeavor and an exceptional example of this growth and transformation.

View Project »
Street view of apartment building named Osborn Commons during evening hours in downtown Sue Ste Marie, Michigan
Osborn Commons with Woda Cooper + HDJ

Osborn Commons with Woda Cooper + HDJ

•
June 9, 2022

While HDJ certainly doesn’t chase or design for awards and honors, we have to admit that it is nice to be recognized for our impactful contribution to improving lives. One recent project that is indicative of our portfolio was selected for honors through a pair of programs. Osborn Commons, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a prime example of the positive impact affordable housing and community development can have on a neighborhood and city.

View Project »
HOM Flats Building surrounded by cars and facility sign
HŌM Flats 28 West + HDJ

HŌM Flats 28 West + HDJ

•
May 25, 2022

How do we meet the challenge of developing affordable living workforce housing solutions? This is a challenge facing communities throughout the country, including West Michigan. One ardent and perceptive developer is helping meet this affordable living challenge by transforming the residential experience.Magnus Capital Partners (Magnus), a privately-held asset management and real estate investment firm, focuses on developing innovative residential communities.

View Project »
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