Engineering Executive Search Austin
ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE SEARCH AUSTIN
Austin and Central Texas engineering and civil engineering executive search
Alexander Executive Search runs engineering executive search in Austin and across Central Texas, including Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. We serve Austin clients from our headquarters at 1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131, and we recruit senior engineering and civil engineering leaders for roles paying $150K and above.
Our clients include consultancies, contractors, developers, advanced manufacturers and owner-side teams. We also work with firms of every size, from national and international firms to growing regional practices. This work is part of our wider civil engineering executive search practice and our Texas executive search team.
What is driving engineering executive search in Austin
Austin is one of the fastest-growing large metros in the country. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro had 2,620,945 residents in July 2025, up 53,796 in a single year. That was the sixth-largest numeric gain of any U.S. metro (U.S. Census Bureau). Consequently, that growth puts pressure on highways, transit, the airport and water supply at the same time.
Public investment is following. TxDOT is rebuilding I-35 through central Austin, Austin Transit Partnership is preparing to build the city’s first light rail line, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is planning a new midfield concourse. As a result, consultants and contractors need leaders who can win and run large public programs, often under design-build or progressive design-build contracts.
Advanced manufacturing adds a second source of demand. Samsung is building a new semiconductor fab in Taylor (Samsung), and Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas covers 2,500 acres along the Colorado River (Tesla). These projects compete with civil and infrastructure firms for the same site, utility and construction leaders, so strong candidates rarely stay on the market for long.
The talent pool is tight across the state, too. Texas had about 34,870 civil engineers in May 2025, second only to California, and about 4,940 of them worked in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects civil engineering employment to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 22,700 openings a year (BLS). As a result, Austin firms compete with contractors, developers and manufacturers across Texas for the same proven leaders.
ROLES WE PLACE
Engineering executive search in Austin: roles we recruit
We focus on senior roles paying $150K and above, from office leadership to practice and program leadership. Most Austin and Central Texas searches fall into four groups.
You can also see the full list of engineering leadership roles we recruit. In addition, for pay benchmarks, read our Engineering Leadership Salary Report 2027.
LOCAL PROGRAMS
Programs and employers shaping Austin’s engineering market
Together, these public programs and private investments create steady demand for senior engineering leaders. In each case, the figures and dates come from the organizations named, not from AES.
OUR PROCESS
How our engineering executive search in Austin works
Because the search is retained, your appointment gets a dedicated team, clear milestones and a process built on evidence. Comparing firms? See our comparison of engineering executive search firms in the USA.
You can also see our executive search process step by step.
RoleDNA™ Mapping: 8 levels of assessment
Every shortlisted candidate is assessed across the same 8 levels, so you can compare Austin engineering leaders fairly before the first interview:
- Job Location Mapping
- Executive Summary
- Professional Photo
- Candidate Introduction
- Key Competency Responses
- Behavioral Assessment
- Verified References
- Detailed Resume
For example, the Candidate Introduction is a short video, so you can see how each leader communicates. In addition, the Behavioral Assessment uses the McQuaig Word Survey, matched to the role profile from the McQuaig Job Survey.
Results are then scored against the success profile for your role and shared in a 24/7 online client dashboard. Learn more about RoleDNA™ Mapping.
Texas PE license checks
Many senior roles in Austin need a Texas Professional Engineer license, which is issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. We confirm each candidate’s license and its status before shortlisting. We also flag early when a leader licensed in another state will need Texas licensure (see NCEES).
RESULTS
The evidence behind our engineering executive search in Austin
A free replacement guarantee and proven retention
Every placement also comes with a 12-month free replacement guarantee as standard, extended to 2 years for senior roles. If the person leaves within the guarantee period, we find a replacement free of charge, subject to the agreed terms of engagement. How our guarantee works.
In one engagement, a growing U.S. engineering firm needed 10 appointments over two years. Before working with us, about 70% of its new hires stayed for 12 months. In contrast, all 10 leaders we appointed were still with the business after their first 12 months. Read the case study.
Firms of every size
We work with engineering firms of every size, from national and international firms to growing regional businesses. In a smaller firm, however, one senior hire can change the direction of the business. That is why we also run a dedicated executive search process for engineering firms under $120M, with the same research, assessment and guarantee.
LOCATIONS
Serving Austin and Central Texas from our Miami headquarters
We serve Austin from our headquarters at 1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131. We don’t have a Texas office, but we travel to meet clients and candidates whenever a search needs it.
For statewide work, see our Texas civil engineering executive search page, and for North Texas and the Gulf Coast, see our Dallas and Houston engineering executive search pages. You can also see our discipline pages for transportation, water and wastewater, land development and structural engineering, and our engineering executive search page.
Engineering executive search Austin: FAQs
Do you have an office in Austin?
No. We serve Austin and Central Texas from our headquarters at 1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131, and we travel to Austin for meetings and interviews when a search needs it.
What do senior engineering leaders earn in Austin?
Pay depends on the role, but federal data gives useful context. In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro, the median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $176,540, and the 90th percentile was $288,330. For civil engineers, the median was $100,470 (BLS OEWS May 2025, Austin metro). However, these figures cover all employers and exclude most bonuses.
Do semiconductor and manufacturing projects affect engineering hiring in Austin?
Yes. Large fab and factory projects need site, utility, water and construction leaders, so they draw on the same senior talent pool as civil and infrastructure firms. For that reason, we map that wider pool, so you can see who is available and what it will take to attract them.
Do you verify Texas PE licenses?
Yes. We confirm each candidate’s license and its status with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors before shortlisting, and we flag early when out-of-state leaders will need Texas licensure.
What do senior engineering leaders in Austin look for in a new role?
Pay matters, but it is rarely the only factor. In our experience, the strongest candidates want credible leadership, a visible project pipeline, a manageable workload and a real path to progression. They also expect a clear, quick process, so a slow or vague search often loses them to a competitor. We help you present the role well, set pay expectations early and keep candidates engaged through offer and onboarding.
Can you recruit leaders from outside Central Texas?
Yes. We map and approach leaders across Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, and nationally. Many Austin searches consider leaders who are willing to relocate or who are already licensed in more than one state, so we plan for relocation and Texas licensure from the start.
Do you work with smaller engineering firms?
Yes. We work with engineering firms of every size, and growing firms under $120M can also use our dedicated executive search process.
What happens if a placement leaves?
If the person leaves within the guarantee period, we find a replacement free of charge, subject to the agreed terms of engagement. Specifically, the guarantee runs for 12 months as standard and is extended to 2 years for senior roles.
CONTACT US
Planning a senior engineering hire in Austin?
Whether you are replacing a regional leader, opening an office or planning a confidential succession, we can help you define the role, map the market and find people who will deliver and stay. Complete the form, and a partner will be in touch soon.
Headquarters: Alexander Executive Search, 1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131. We serve Austin and Central Texas from Miami.