Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Firas Abdelahad. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Firas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Owning my own engineering firm wasn’t a spontaneous decision—it was a long-term goal that took years of deliberate experience-building to achieve.
My journey began while I was still in graduate school. I took a position with a small consulting firm in Florida, eager to immerse myself in hands-on engineering. Early on, I worked on high-stakes structural repairs, like designing the replacement and temporary shoring of severely corroded reinforced concrete columns in a large building. I even contributed to the temporary shoring plan for a nuclear power plant undergoing a massive generator replacement—an experience that taught me the gravity of precision and accountability.
When I later moved to western Pennsylvania, I shifted my focus to the telecommunications industry. I joined a firm specializing in tower analysis, modification, and reinforcement. Over time, I played a key role in building out the company’s tower reinforcement department, developing both structural and foundation strengthening solutions. One of my proudest moments came when I received an award directly from the CEO for saving the company a substantial amount of money through optimized reinforcement designs. But even with those accolades, I began to feel that my journey was meant for something broader.
That realization led me to a local, family-owned firm focused on the design, fabrication, and installation of building signage and facade panels. There, I served as the head of the engineering department, overseeing everything from preliminary engineering and cost estimating to drawing reviews for fabrication and field installation. I led a talented team—hiring, training, mentoring, and developing processes that supported both operational growth and technical precision. This role taught me what it truly means to run a department, manage a team, and respond to real-world challenges on a daily basis.
By early 2018, the idea of starting my own business began taking shape. What solidified it wasn’t just the experience—I had that by then—it was the increasing number of people reaching out to me for help: friends, neighbors, contractors, and homeowners asking questions like, “Can I remove this wall?” or “Can you stamp a drawing for my deck or home addition?” There was clearly a need for accessible, knowledgeable, and trustworthy engineering services in the residential and small commercial space.
So I took the leap. In late 2018, I established Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services LLC—a firm built on the foundation of technical excellence, responsive service, and honest guidance. My goal wasn’t just to offer engineering—it was to deliver peace of mind to homeowners, investors, and builders making critical structural decisions.
Looking back, every role I took helped prepare me for this. But what gets me most excited today is knowing that I’m making engineering more approachable, helping clients navigate uncertainty with clarity, and building something meaningful—on my own terms.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Firas Abdelahad—a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering and over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience. My journey spans international beginnings, large-scale façade and airport building projects, and leadership roles across consulting, fabrication, and construction sectors
How I Got Into the Industry
Originally from Syria, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering from Damascus University in 2005, where I interned on major projects like the Four Seasons hotel and a hospital. After relocating to the U.S., I earned my M.S. in Civil Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and launched my early career with consulting firms in Florida, working on structural repair and shoring plans for high-risk projects, including a nuclear power plant generator replacement.
Moving to Western Pennsylvania, I transitioned into telecommunications infrastructure—helping analyze and reinforce towers and foundations, and contributing to the firm’s internal growth with award‑winning cost-saving designs. Later, I led the engineering department at a family‑owned sign and façade fabrication business—developing procedures, mentoring staff, overseeing construction coordination, and reviewing drawings and estimates. That seven-year chapter honed my operational leadership and interdisciplinary coordination skills.
What We Provide at Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services
Founded in late 2018 and officially launched in 2019, Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services is a locally owned structural engineering firm based in Pittsburgh, PA, serving residential, commercial, and industrial clients
We provide:
• Structural evaluations (joists, beams, columns, foundations)
• Stamped drawings for permitting (e.g. deck additions, load-bearing wall removal)
• Site plan drawings
• Inspection services, expert testimony, and owner representation
• Design consultancy across remodeling, real estate transactions, investment properties, and safety-related assessments
What Problems We Solve & What Sets Us Apart
• Technical clarity delivered personally: We help clients understand structural concerns in plain language—explaining root causes, options, and next steps. Clients frequently share how relieved they feel after seeing the issues visually resolved and knowing exactly what to do
• Speed and responsiveness: Reviews praise our rapid responses—often same-day callbacks, emergency visits, and expedited paperwork that facilitate smooth permitting and project progress
• Trust without upselling: Homeowners and agents note that we don’t push services—the goal is honest evaluation, even referring clients elsewhere if a structural engineer isn’t needed
• Cost efficiency through smarter design: Because of my fabrication and construction background, I design solutions that avoid unnecessary reinforcement—saving clients real dollars while maintaining safety and compliance.
What I’m Most Proud Of
• Winning internal recognition in prior firms for cost-effective reinforcement solutions that saved significant sums.
• Building and leading teams that generated over $10 million in annual engineered drawings in prior roles
Consistently earning 5-stars across dozens of client reviews—including reviews highlighting professionalism, friendly demeanor, and ability to simplify complex engineering for first‑time homeowners
What I Want Clients & Followers to Know
• You’re speaking directly with a seasoned engineer—not a salesperson—who cares about clarity, quality, and your peace of mind.
• I serve as your advocate: whether you’re buying, remodeling, investing, or just concerned about your property’s structure.
• My background in design, fabrication, and construction gives me a practical edge—helping me design smart, cost‑effective solutions and coordinate field realities.
• I’m deeply committed to integrity: If you don’t need an engineer, I’ll tell you. No pressure. No hidden fees.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe it comes down to three key things: responsiveness, trust, and clarity.
From the very beginning, I made it a point to treat every client—whether a homeowner, real estate investor, contractor, or attorney—with the same level of urgency and respect. That means answering calls promptly, showing up on time, and delivering professional reports that are both technically sound and easy to understand. In an industry where turnaround times can stretch for weeks and communication can be sparse, being highly responsive became one of the first things clients noticed—and appreciated.
But responsiveness alone doesn’t build a lasting reputation. What really made a difference was trust. I’ve always operated with a simple rule: give people the truth, even if it means less work for me. If a wall doesn’t need reinforcement, I’ll say so. If a project falls outside my scope, I’ll recommend someone better suited. That kind of honesty builds credibility quickly, and it’s why so many of my clients come from word-of-mouth referrals.
The third piece is clarity. Engineering can be intimidating for many homeowners and even contractors. One of the things I enjoy most is taking complex structural concerns and explaining them in terms my clients can relate to—connecting engineering principles to everyday analogies. You can see the relief on their faces when they finally understand what’s going on with their structure. That emotional connection, that moment of reassurance, is what sets the tone for long-term relationships.
Ultimately, I built my reputation not by doing flashy marketing—but by solving problems, delivering value, and treating people the right way. And in the process, the reputation followed.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In late 2017, I was leading the engineering department at a well-established, family-owned design and fabrication company. I had built the department from the ground up—creating processes, hiring and mentoring staff, coordinating with fabricators and installers, and overseeing millions of dollars’ worth of engineered submittals annually. I was proud of the work we were doing.
But something began to shift. I realized that even with everything I had built, I wasn’t fulfilled. My work was valued, but I was no longer growing. The decisions weren’t mine to make, and the impact I wanted to have—especially in helping homeowners and property owners directly—felt out of reach.
Walking away wasn’t easy. I had a stable salary, a leadership role, and a young family to support. But I made the decision anyway—to leave that comfort and start something of my own.
In early 2018, I laid the groundwork for Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services LLC. I started small: just me, my license, and a laptop. No admin staff, no marketing team, no office. I relied on word of mouth and my professional network. There were weeks when leads were slow. Times when I questioned whether the risk was worth it. But I kept showing up—taking every call, answering questions at all hours, driving across town for emergency inspections, and turning around reports faster than people expected.
That consistency built trust. Clients started referring me to others. Contractors began calling me before they even pulled permits. Real estate agents saved my number and said, “You’re the only one we call now.”
Looking back, the resilience wasn’t in leaving a job or starting a business. It was in everything that followed: the early mornings, the late nights, the reinvention, and the grind. It was in believing that I could offer something different—something better—and in having the perseverance to build it one relationship at a time.
Today, I lead a firm with a solid reputation across the Pittsburgh region, and we’re continuing to grow. But I don’t forget those early days. They’re the reason I appreciate every new client, every referral, and every opportunity to make engineering more human, accessible, and trustworthy.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.pittdes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pittsburgh.structural.engineer/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PittDESeng/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pittdes
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCVR_KM7dBfNUo-NRHmZVgnQ
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/pittsburgh-design-and-engineering-services-pittsburgh-3
