History of innovation fuels Sargent & Lundy’s future in power industry

Sargent & Lundy, a pioneer in the electric power industry since its founding over 130 years ago, continues to lead in energy innovation. The firm is providing the technical expertise behind grid modernization, renewable wind and solar power, energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, nuclear power, conventional power, carbon capture, hydrogen, environmental compliance and specialized government services.

Fueled by rapidly advancing technological innovations, the power industry is experiencing tremendous growth as it transforms to bring new, reliable and clean power generation to emerging technologies.

None of these advancements would be possible without Sargent & Lundy’s employees who work in more than 30 offices nationwide and around the world.

There are many opportunities to join – or rejoin ­– the rapidly growing team. The firm currently has more than 1,000 open positions for engineers, designers, project managers and others, and it offers generous salaries and benefits to attract and retain employees. Many employees who leave the company return. In 2023, 10% of all new hires were returning employees.

“We’re seeing tremendous growth across all markets as the demand for energy increases,” said Victor Suchodolski, the firm’s chairman, president and CEO. “To meet these demands in a responsible, sustainable and resilient manner, it takes motivated employees to plan, design, engineer and implement new power generation, transmission and distribution and modernize existing infrastructure. It’s an exciting time to be in the power industry, and I would encourage anyone looking for new opportunities to see what we have to offer.”

Suchodolski became CEO in 2023 and continues the firm’s legacy of being managed and led by engineers. He is focused on employees and places an emphasis on diverse perspectives and professional growth. Training, coaching and employee experience are at the forefront of the company.

Sargent & Lundy’s intranet recently received an award for its employee onboarding experience, which aims at setting new employees up for success. The company celebrates the long tenures of many employees – some with as many as 30, 40 or 50 years. Of the company’s total workforce, 20% have been with the company for more than 25 years.

Sargent & Lundy uses Energage, an online reporting tool, for employee surveys – an area of focus for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Energage, a Pennsylvania-based research company, recently named Sargent & Lundy to its Top Workplaces USA list for the fourth straight year.

It has also earned Top Workplace regional and Culture Excellence recognition for employee well-being, employee appreciation, professional development, leadership, purpose and values, innovation, and compensation and benefits.

The company offers a generous compensation and benefits package and sponsors activities to promote camaraderie and a healthy work-life balance. Industry-leading benefits include medical, dental and vision plans; HSA plans and flexible spending accounts; on-site wellness screenings; paid parental leave and adoption expense reimbursement; vacation, sick, holiday, personal and bereavement leave; a 401(k) with employer contribution; tuition assistance; and a scholarship program for children of employees.

Sargent & Lundy also is invested in the communities it serves. Employees are active in educational and advocacy programs such as ACE Mentor after-school program. The firm also supports university scholarships and STEM organizations to make engineering education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Sargent & Lundy invests directly in causes such as the United Way and the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago. Through the company’s charitable giving program it offers matching support to employee donations to causes they are passionate about. 

“We’ve earned the distinction of being a Top Workplaces USA company every year since it began, and prior to that we earned regional recognition,” Suchodolski said. “This is not something we take for granted. It’s bestowed on us by our people and we’re grateful for their positive feedback. We listen to what our employees have to say, and we’re always looking to improve and continue to build on Sargent & Lundy’s reputation. Providing an environment where people can thrive is part of our core values and we live by that every day.”

To learn more about why Sargent & Lundy is a 2024 Top Workplace, visit sargentlundy.com.