Business Details
39 Years
experience
Expert Structural Engineering Services
Morris Shaffer Engineering has been delivering expert structural engineering solutions since 1987. Our team of licensed professionals combines decades of industry experience with advanced technical knowledge to address complex structural challenges across commercial, residential, industrial, and event-based projects. We maintain a client-focused approach, guiding clients from conceptual planning through permitting and construction while prioritizing practical, code-compliant, and cost-effective designs.Our engineers bring diverse backgrounds in construction management and specialized structural systems, ensuring solutions that balance innovation with real-world execution. With offices in San Francisco, Denver, and Orange County, we serve clients across seven U.S. states, supported by a collaborative team culture that fosters continuous learning and technical excellence. Our long-standing relationships with architects, contractors, and building departments reflect our commitment to transparency, reliability, and exceptional service delivery.
Services
Commercial Structures
Seismic Evaluation
Industrial Buildings
Residential Projects
Event Rigging
Retaining Walls
Foundation Design
Soft-Story Retrofits
Temporary Shoring
Clean Room Structures
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in structural engineering.
- Our team includes licensed engineers with advanced structural engineering degrees.
- We combine engineering expertise with practical construction industry knowledge.
- We provide creative solutions for complex structural challenges.
- We are licensed in seven U.S. states for broad service coverage.
Services
Commercial Structural Engineering
We provide full-cycle structural engineering for new commercial buildings and tenant improvements. Our expertise includes seismic evaluations, foundation design, and soft-story retrofits. We ensure compliance with building codes while optimizing cost-efficiency and constructability for developers and architects.
Industrial Structural Solutions
Our industrial services cover warehouse design, crane systems, and equipment anchorage for manufacturing facilities. We specialize in corrosive environments and clean rooms, delivering durable structures for food processing plants, metal finishing operations, and industrial equipment installations across multiple sectors.
Residential Projects
We handle structural needs for single-family homes, apartment complexes, and condominiums. Our work includes additions, foundation repairs, retaining walls, and landslide mitigation. We address unique challenges like curved steel roofs and living roofs while ensuring safety and code compliance.
Event Structure Engineering
We design and evaluate temporary structures for concerts and events. Our services include rigging plans, aluminum truss systems, and stage support structures. With 25+ years of experience, we ensure safety and compliance for venues and event producers nationwide.
Retaining Wall Design
We offer consultation and design for temporary and permanent retaining walls. Our solutions include soil-nailed walls, cantilevered concrete systems, and steel plate options. We provide cost-effective stabilization for failing walls and new construction across diverse soil conditions.
People
Robert Shaffer
Co-founder & Principal
Robert Shaffer co-founded Morris Shaffer Engineering with 25+ years of structural engineering experience. He specializes in complex commercial and industrial projects, bringing technical expertise and leadership to client engagements across California.
Sara Aukes
Principal
Sara Aukes, a licensed structural engineer, leads key projects at Morris Shaffer. With advanced engineering credentials, she focuses on seismic evaluations and innovative structural systems for commercial clients throughout the Bay Area.
Kerry MacDonald
Principal
Kerry MacDonald provides structural engineering leadership with expertise in industrial and residential projects. His background includes complex foundation design and retrofit solutions, ensuring practical execution for clients in diverse sectors.
Ronald Morris
Principal Emeritus
Ronald Morris founded the predecessor firm in 1987. As Principal Emeritus, he established the company's reputation for technical excellence and client-focused service before retiring in 2021 after 34 years of leadership.
Questions
What types of projects does Morris Shaffer handle?
We work on commercial, residential, industrial, and event-related structural engineering projects, including new construction, retrofits, and specialized systems like retaining walls and rigging.
Are you licensed outside California?
Yes, we are licensed in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado, providing services across seven U.S. states.
Do you handle emergency structural evaluations?
We focus on planned projects but can assess urgent structural concerns during regular business hours. Contact us directly for immediate needs.
How do you approach complex engineering challenges?
Our team combines construction industry experience with technical innovation, using collaborative problem-solving to deliver practical, code-compliant solutions for unique structural issues.
Can you assist with event structure permitting?
Yes, we provide engineering documentation and support for temporary event structures, ensuring compliance with local building department requirements for venues and festivals.
