a New Model for Design Professionals
Build Your Career with Level Engineering & Architecture
The Firm Model Is Broken. Going Solo Is Hard. There’s a Third Option. We've spent a decade building it.
Take Ownership of Your Career and Earn What You’re Worth
Level Engineering & Architecture was built on a simple premise: experienced design professionals should have the power to lead their own practice without sacrificing the stability and reach of a national firm.
For over a decade, our multidisciplinary team has solved complex challenges for homeowners, building owners, contractors, real estate professionals, special districts, and local governments. Serving 25,000+ clients and earning 500+ five-star reviews, we’ve built a collaborative national network across civil, structural, MEP, forensic engineering, and architecture.
Founded and led by an accomplished P.E. who spent decades in the trenches — managing hundreds of millions in infrastructure projects across both private and public sectors. Level A&E combines the credibility of an established firm with a progressive, incentive-aligned model designed for entrepreneurial engineers and architects.
Most engineering firms still operate within structures built decades ago — rigid hierarchies, fixed compensation ceilings, and limited autonomy. For ambitious engineers, that structure can start to feel restrictive.
While many firms continue to operate within those structures, we’ve spent over ten years proving there is a better way. This is where purpose meets autonomy. You aren’t just executing someone else’s vision — you are building your own practice within a proven and supportive framework. You stay agile, and locally rooted, while leveraging a national collaborative to deliver thoughtful, sustainable solutions in the communities you serve.
We’ve proven that you don’t have to choose between independence and stability. Build your practice on your terms, supported by the branding, resources and reach of a national organization.
If you’re ready to take ownership of your career and earn what you’re worth, let’s talk.
What if your salary
had no ceiling?
Most engineering careers follow a predictable path. Explore what happens when you own your work — and your earning potential. Drag the slider to see the difference year by year.
Traditional firm
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Earned so far: —
Level hybrid model
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Annual difference
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30-yr gap: —
Firm trajectory based on BLS & ASCE 2025 data: entry $77k → senior $148k avg → principal ~$165k ceiling. Hybrid model starts ~$75k and accelerates as engineers build teams and practice ownership. Level A&E top earner: $350k+ mid-career. Individual results vary.
Our Industry Needs a Change
In today’s A&E industry, the value of design professionals is often overlooked, reduced to mere commodities in pursuit of increased profit margins. Despite their expertise and education, professionals find themselves undervalued, with their fair market value stagnating over the past four decades.
This trend has led to a significant drop in their market value, sometimes as low as one-fourth of what they should be earning. Consequently, dissatisfaction runs rampant, leading to shortages and a mass exodus from the industry, with a staggering 57% of graduating engineers seeking more lucrative career paths.
This crisis has far-reaching implications, posing a threat to our infrastructure, economy, and our future generations’ interest in the field. Many professionals are exploring freelance opportunities to escape the constraints of traditional firms, only to find themselves burdened by the complexities of self-employment.
Managing the business side of freelancing can consume up to 50% of their time, leaving limited hours for billable work and diminishing the appeal of this alternative.
From the Founder
The Human Convenience
The single largest adverse impact to our planet is the endeavor for human convenience. The subsequent maintenance and furtherance of human convenience is a cultural and societal choice.
Society turns to Engineers and Architects to deliver these conveniences. Human demands for convenience will not wane.
Therefore, it is logical that the future of reducing society’s adverse impact will substantially rely on a cultural shift within the genius of the designers.
Scott A. Zurn P.E.
CEO & Founder of Level Engineering & Architecture
Listen to the Podcast
With Hosts Scott Zurn, P.E. & Miles Hanson
The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.
Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.
Scott is a professional Engineer with over 3 decades of experience and Founder of Level Engineering & Architecture.
The Mission
We’re building a team of independent architects and engineers who are transforming how our industry works—delivering better service, creating sustainable solutions, and strengthening the communities where we live and play.
Over 25,000 clients served. 500+ five-star reviews. From small residential to large commercial and government projects, we’re changing our communities one project at a time.
Open Positions
We’re looking for licensed Professional Engineers who are ready to work with more autonomy, build their own client relationships, and take ownership of their projects from start to finish.
The ideal candidate brings 6+ years of experience in civil or structural engineering, holds an active P.E. license, and has a track record of managing projects and coordinating with clients, municipalities, and consultants independently.
Beyond technical proficiency, we value engineers who communicate clearly, operate with a high degree of professionalism, and are motivated to grow a referral-based project pipeline over time. This is a 1099 contract structure built for experienced engineers who want the flexibility of independent practice without sacrificing firm-level support.
We have work and are ready to hire in these locations:
- Denver, CO
- Northern CO
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Francisco, CA
- New York, NY
- Tampa, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Miami, FL
- Austin, TX
- Houston, TX
- Dallas (DFW), TX
Don’t check every box? If you’re in a different market, open to relocating, or still working toward your P.E. but bring real experience, we’d still like to hear from you.
Apply
Apply by filling out the form below, attach a cover letter and resume and we’ll promptly review. Thanks for your time!
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Open Positions
Colorado
Texas
Utah
Florida
Don’t see a role for you, reach out to us via recruiting [at] levelengineering [dot] com.