Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal Modernization Program
Pittsburgh International Airport | Aviation
Served as part of the Gensler + HDR in association with luis vidal + architects team for the terminal modernization program.
Directory
Public engineering firm profile
Burns Engineering, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA
Partners in Reliability, Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Safety
- Services
- 39
- Offices
- 6
- Projects
- 14
- Leaders
- 12
- Founded
- 1960
- Size Estimate
- 100-250 employees
Overview
Burns Engineering is a specialized engineering practice serving mission-critical facilities across aviation, railroad, transit, healthcare, higher education, power, utility, and commercial sectors. Founded in Philadelphia, it brings deep expertise in electrical systems, structural engineering, technology and security systems, civil engineering, and program management. It is consistently recognized as an ENR Top 500 Design Firm and a top workplace.
- Founded
- 1960
- Size Estimate
- 100-250 employees
Services
Electrical Engineering
Designing resilient power systems, campus infrastructure upgrades, and grid modernization solutions to secure mission-critical operations.
Railroad and Transit Engineering
Providing signal design, train control integrations, and zero-emission mobility planning for passenger and freight rail networks.
Aviation Engineering
Delivering airfield paving designs, terminal systems integrations, and lighting upgrades for major commercial airports.
Structural Engineering
Engineering safe, code-compliant, and durable structural systems for municipal facilities, bridges, and parking structures.
Technology and Security Systems
Engineering telecommunications networks, surveillance systems, and spatial mapping integrations for sensitive infrastructure.
Healthcare Facilities Engineering
Modifying critical clinical facilities, backup power distribution, and sterile processing areas without disrupting patient care.
Power and Utilities
Formulating district utility plans and engineering solar, wind, and storage projects for campuses and utilities.
Civil Engineering
Providing site design, utility coordination, stormwater drainage, and right-of-way planning for major transit corridors.
Program Management
Managing complex capital projects through cost controls, risk analysis, and comprehensive field construction monitoring.
Industries
Firm type
Project types
Projects
Des Moines International Airport Expansion - Phase 1
Des Moines International Airport | Aviation
Served as Technology and Security Systems Engineer of Record for the initial phase of a three-phase airport expansion program.
Newark Liberty International Airport Runway 4L-22R Reconstruction
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | Aviation
Completed full design and structural reconstruction of the primary runway.
Nashville International Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority | Aviation
Delivered specialized facility engineering for the airport's consolidated rental car garage.
320 MWh Long-Duration Battery Project
Confidential Client | Utilities
Designed utility-scale energy storage solutions supporting grid reliability and battery reserves.
Southwest Airlines Ramp Information Display Systems
Southwest Airlines | Aviation
Configured and integrated ramp information display systems to enhance gate management communications.
Temple University Microgrid - Campus Electrical Infrastructure Modernization
2015 | Temple University | Education
Modernized regional campus utility grid with microgrid systems, securing an ACEC/PA Diamond Award.
SEPTA Positive Train Control System
2020 | SEPTA | Transit
Designed and deployed advanced train control systems for regional transit operations, recognized with an ACEC-PA Diamond Award.
Los Angeles International Airport Tom Bradley International Terminal Refresh
Los Angeles International Airport | Aviation
Contributed specialized system engineering to the comprehensive terminal refresh and modernizations.
WMATA Potomac Yard Metrorail Station
2023 | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | Transit
Supported civil, technology, and transit systems design for the new transit station.
MIA Concourse D Expansion
Miami International Airport | Aviation
Provided engineering services for the major terminal and concourse expansions.
Caltrain Rail System Engineering Support
2026 | Caltrain | Transit
Assisting with rail system engineering projects to improve transit reliability, safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
Long Beach Transit First Street Transit Gallery
2026 | Long Beach Transit | Transit
Creating transformational wayfinding and technology designs for the transit gallery.
WMATA West Falls Church Yard Modernization
2026 | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | Transit
Assisting with crucial rail yard updates and modernization projects.
Software
Credentials and affiliations
Awards
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Service Company of the Year (2002)ACEC/PA Distinguished Award of Merit - Robert C. Burns (2003)ENR Top 500 Design FirmACEC-PA Diamond Award - In-Pavement Airfield Lighting Innovation (1972)PSPE, ACEC, and CMMA Awards - Wind Turbine Factory, Fairless Hills PA (2006)ENR Best Specialty Project - Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation, Santa Clara County CA (2012)ACEC New Jersey Distinguished Project Award - PATCO High Speed Line Power Infrastructure Renewal (2014)ACEC/PA Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence - Temple University Microgrid (2015)ACEC-NY Award - Stewart Runway Rehabilitation (2016)ACEC-PA Diamond Award - Navy Yard Grid Modernization (2016)Bluebeam Extreme Award of Excellence - Pushing the Limits (2016)Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Grand Jury Award - SEPTA Stone Arch Bridges Rehabilitation (2017)DVASE Outstanding Project Award - Port of Philadelphia (2018)ACEC-PA Diamond Award - SEPTA Positive Train Control (2020)March of Dimes Project of the Year - SEPTA Elwyn to Wawa Service Restoration (2022)
Leadership
Matthew Burns
President and CEO
PE
John Burns
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
PE, LEED AP
Bernard Carolan
Chief Financial Officer
CPA
Brian Phillips
Senior Vice President, Aviation
PE, LEED AP
Tony Koltuv
Senior Vice President, Railroad and Transit
PMP
David Kipp
Vice President of Technology Services
PE
Patricia Tuso
Vice President, Human Resources
PHR, SHRM-CP, PMP
Joseph Mizrahi
Vice President - New York Region, Design Group Leader
PE
Clay Payne
Vice President, Right-of-Way and Facilities
PE
Ryan Breier
Vice President, Signals, Communications & Train Control
Kevin Shertz
Vice President, Aviation
PE
Michael Walton
Vice President, Facilities & Infrastructure - Philadelphia Region
PE
Publications
Navigating a New World Order: Understanding the Current Reality of Procuring Equipment for Higher Education Projects
article | Jacqueline Haas, PE | 2026
California's Push Against Federal Headwinds to Reach 100% Zero-Emission Transit Goals
article | John Drayton | 2026
Shining a Light on LIDAR: Practical Applications for the Aviation Industry
article | Nick Wnuk, PE, RCDD, CPP, PMP | 2026
Knowledge is Power: Why Legacy Electric Infrastructure in Healthcare Facilities Demands Strategic Updating
article | Joseph Mizrahi, PE | 2026
Power Grab: Why Creating a Campus Utility Master Plan Is More Important Than Ever
article | Michael Walton, PE | 2026
Testimonials
One of the things I love about Burns is I really do feel like I have people in my corner, championing me and my career, allowing me to grow.
Offices
Philadelphia, PA
HeadquartersPhiladelphia, PA
New York, NY
New York, NY
Boston, MA
Boston, MA
Austin, TX
Austin, TX
Tampa, FL
Tampa, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA