Jacobs Firm Profile: Careers, Salaries, and Insights

Jacobs firm profile highlights one of the world’s leading engineering and consulting companies, known for its expertise in infrastructure, life sciences, defense, and strategy consulting. With a workforce of more than 55,000 across 40 countries, Jacobs offers opportunities for professionals who want to shape industries and deliver innovative solutions.

In this article, we will explore what Jacobs does, its history, careers, salaries, internships, culture, and interview process to give you a complete picture of the firm.

Key Insights:

• Jacobs firm profile shows its evolution from engineering roots to a global consulting and solutions leader with 55,000 employees in 40+ countries.
• Founded in 1946, Jacobs has grown through acquisitions like CH2M and PA Consulting, expanding into infrastructure, environmental, and strategy consulting services.
• Jacobs careers offer structured paths from Analyst to Partner, with opportunities across engineering consulting, sustainability, and defense sectors.
• Jacobs internship programs include summer roles and a Graduate Development Program that provide mentorship, training, and pathways to full-time positions.
• Jacobs salary ranges from 90,000 USD for Analysts to 400,000 USD+ for Partners, reflecting consulting market competitiveness and role seniority.

What kind of firm is Jacobs and what services does it provide?

Jacobs is a global consulting and engineering firm that provides services in infrastructure, environmental consulting, defense and aerospace, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Through its consulting arm, it also delivers strategy, technology, and management solutions across multiple industries worldwide.

Jacobs positions itself as a technology-forward solutions company. While its roots are in engineering, the firm has expanded into management and strategy consulting through acquisitions like PA Consulting. This shift reflects its aim to compete with global multidisciplinary firms.

Key service areas include:

• Engineering consulting and infrastructure development
• Environmental consulting and sustainability solutions
• Life sciences and healthcare innovation
• Aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity projects
• Strategy consulting and organizational design
• Advanced manufacturing and process optimization

Clients span government, utilities, transportation, energy, and financial services sectors. This breadth allows Jacobs to combine technical expertise with consulting capabilities, offering candidates diverse career opportunities.

When was Jacobs founded and how has it grown over time?

Jacobs was founded in 1946 by engineer Joseph Jacobs in Pasadena, California, and has grown through acquisitions and global expansion into a diversified consulting and engineering firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

The company started as a small chemical engineering consultancy and steadily expanded into construction management, infrastructure, and design services.

Key milestones in Jacobs’ growth include:

• 1946: Founded by Joseph Jacobs in Pasadena, California
• 1960s–1980s: Expansion into civil engineering and infrastructure development
• 2016: Relocated headquarters to Dallas, Texas
• 2017: Acquisition of CH2M, strengthening infrastructure and environmental consulting capabilities
• 2020: Majority stake acquisition of PA Consulting, expanding into strategy and management consulting
• 2022: Rebranded from Jacobs Engineering to Jacobs Solutions to reflect its broader focus

Today, Jacobs employs over 55,000 people and operates in 40+ countries, with revenues exceeding $14 billion. Its growth illustrates a shift from being an engineering-focused company to a global consulting firm with diverse offerings.

Where is Jacobs headquartered and how global is its presence?

Jacobs is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates across more than 40 countries with over 400 offices, making it one of the most globally distributed consulting and engineering firms.

The firm’s global footprint supports a diverse client base, from governments to Fortune 500 companies. Its presence spans:

• North America: United States and Canada
• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway
• Asia-Pacific: India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar

This international reach allows Jacobs to deliver large-scale infrastructure development and engineering consulting projects while expanding strategy consulting services through PA Consulting’s offices in Europe and the U.S.

Who leads Jacobs and what is its leadership structure?

Jacobs is led by CEO Bob Pragada, supported by a global leadership team that oversees business units such as Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, and PA Consulting.

The company emphasizes strong governance and a collaborative leadership model. Key details include:

• CEO: Bob Pragada (appointed in 2023)
• Executive Chair: Steve Demetriou, former CEO who guided the firm’s transformation
• Business unit leaders: Oversee consulting, engineering, and solutions divisions
• Board of Directors: Provides oversight across strategy, sustainability, and growth initiatives

This structure enables Jacobs to balance its traditional engineering foundation with newer consulting and technology-driven services, aligning its leadership approach with its position as a global consulting firm.

What are Jacobs’ main business units and consulting services?

Jacobs operates through three main business units: Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, and PA Consulting, offering engineering, infrastructure, and consulting services across industries worldwide.

Each division plays a distinct role in the firm’s portfolio:

• Critical Mission Solutions: Supports government, defense, aerospace, nuclear, and cybersecurity clients. A significant share of revenue comes from U.S. federal government contracts.
• People & Places Solutions: Focuses on infrastructure development, civil engineering, environmental consulting, and advanced manufacturing. This is the largest division by workforce.
• PA Consulting: Provides strategy consulting, digital transformation, and organizational design services to clients in sectors such as health, financial services, and energy.

Together, these units enable Jacobs to combine technical expertise with management consulting, allowing clients to address both large-scale engineering challenges and strategic business transformation.

How does Jacobs compare to its main competitors?

Jacobs competes with global consulting and engineering firms by combining technical expertise in infrastructure and life sciences with growing strategy consulting capabilities through PA Consulting. Unlike peers, Jacobs offers both large-scale engineering solutions and management consulting services under one brand.

Key points of comparison include:

• Breadth of services: Jacobs spans engineering consulting, environmental consulting, and organizational strategy.
• Client base: Strong in government, defense, energy, and transportation, areas where specialized expertise is critical.
• Consulting growth: The PA Consulting partnership broadens Jacobs’ reach into strategy consulting, digital transformation, and innovation.
• Differentiator: Jacobs blends infrastructure delivery with advisory services, appealing to clients seeking end-to-end solutions.

This hybrid model positions Jacobs differently from traditional management consultancies, making it a strong option for candidates interested in both technical and strategic work.

Is Jacobs a good firm to work for?

Jacobs is considered a good firm to work for, offering strong career development, inclusive culture, and diverse consulting and engineering opportunities across global industries. Employee reviews highlight both strengths and challenges.

Key factors that make Jacobs appealing include:

• Diversity and inclusion: Recognized with top scores for LGBTQ equality, gender equity, and disability inclusion.
• Career development: Offers mentorship, rotational programs, and global mobility.
• Work variety: Projects span infrastructure, sustainability, defense, and strategy consulting.
• Reputation: Ranked among top employers in multiple regions for workplace culture.

Challenges cited by employees include bureaucracy typical of large organizations and varying office cultures. Still, for candidates seeking meaningful projects and global opportunities, Jacobs careers can provide long-term growth.

What career paths are available at Jacobs?

Jacobs careers follow a structured path from Analyst to Partner, offering opportunities in consulting, engineering, infrastructure, and management across global offices. Career progression varies by experience and region.

Typical career progression includes:

• Analyst/Consultant Analyst: Entry-level roles for recent graduates supporting project teams
• Consultant/Senior Consultant: Mid-level positions focusing on client delivery and project leadership
• Principal Consultant/Managing Consultant: Senior roles managing teams and contributing to business development
• Partner/Executive Leadership: Highest level, responsible for client relationships and revenue growth

Jacobs also offers rotational programs in strategy, analytics, and business transformation, allowing early-career professionals to gain broad exposure. Global mobility is a defining feature, enabling candidates to work across industries such as infrastructure development, sustainability, and defense.

What internships does Jacobs offer for students and graduates?

Jacobs internship programs include traditional summer internships and a two-year Graduate Development Program that provides mentoring, training, and cross-functional exposure for new graduates. These opportunities help students transition into Jacobs careers.

Internship highlights include:

• Summer internships: Short-term roles where students gain project experience in engineering consulting, environmental consulting, and infrastructure development
• Graduate Development Program: Structured two-year program offering mentoring, professional training, networking with leaders, and exposure across business units
• Global reach: Internships available in North America, Europe, and Asia, often linked to Jacobs’ People & Places Solutions and PA Consulting offices
• Career pipeline: Many interns are offered full-time roles, creating a pathway into consulting and engineering positions

These internships provide hands-on experience and prepare students for roles in areas like sustainability, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

How much does Jacobs pay consultants and other professionals?

Jacobs salary for consultants typically ranges from around 90,000 USD at the entry-level Analyst position to over 250,000 USD for Principal Consultants, with Partners earning 400,000 USD or more including profit-sharing.

Salary progression at Jacobs reflects seniority and expertise:

• Analyst: Approximately 90,000 USD annually
• Consultant: Around 120,000 USD with performance-based bonuses
• Senior Consultant/Principal Consultant: Between 180,000 and 250,000 USD depending on region and specialization
• Partner/Managing Consultant: Upwards of 400,000 USD including salary and profit-sharing

Compensation can vary by geography and division. Consultants in PA Consulting offices may receive packages aligned more closely with management consulting market averages, while technical roles in engineering and infrastructure follow different pay scales.

What is the Jacobs interview process like?

The Jacobs interview process typically involves an initial recruiter screening, followed by two to three interviews with senior staff, and a final partner-level interview that may include a case study or technical assessment.

Candidates can generally expect:

• Screening call: Focus on background, motivation, and interest in Jacobs careers
• Behavioral interviews: Questions on teamwork, leadership, and handling client challenges
• Case or technical interviews: Depending on whether the role is consulting or engineering focused
• Final round: Partner interview, often testing business development potential for senior candidates

Interviewers are known for a collegial approach, emphasizing cultural fit and motivation. Preparation for both consulting-style case studies and technical problem-solving is important, depending on the division applied for.

What exit opportunities do consultants from Jacobs pursue?

Consultants from Jacobs often exit into other consulting firms, industry roles in energy or technology, public sector leadership, or entrepreneurship, reflecting the firm’s blend of engineering and consulting expertise.

Common Jacobs exit opportunities include:

• Moving to other consulting firms, including strategy-focused players
• Transitioning into industry roles in energy, utilities, and advanced manufacturing
• Joining technology companies in product management or operations
• Entering leadership roles in government or public utilities
• Launching startups or moving into executive roles in established corporations

Jacobs’ collaborative consulting firm culture also equips alumni with leadership skills valued in both industry and public sector roles. These exits mirror those of other global consulting firms but are influenced by Jacobs’ strong footprint in infrastructure development, sustainability, and defense sectors.

Conclusion

Jacobs firm profile shows a company that has transformed from a traditional engineering business into a global consulting and solutions leader. With strengths in infrastructure, defense, life sciences, and strategy consulting, Jacobs offers both technical and advisory career paths. For candidates, it provides opportunities to grow in diverse industries while contributing to projects that shape the future.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Is Jacobs a prestigious company?
A: Yes, Jacobs is considered a prestigious company, especially in engineering consulting and infrastructure development. The Jacobs firm profile highlights its reputation for global impact, innovative projects, and strong Jacobs careers opportunities across industries.

Q: What is Jacobs known for?
 A: Jacobs is known for providing engineering consulting, environmental consulting, life sciences consulting, and defense and aerospace consulting services. The firm is also recognized for large-scale infrastructure development and its strong consulting firm culture.

Q: Is Jacobs the largest engineering firm?
A: Jacobs is one of the world’s largest engineering consulting firms, but it is not the single largest. While highly ranked globally, competitors like AECOM and WSP also compete for the top spot in engineering and infrastructure development.

Q: Is it hard to get a job at Jacobs?
A: It can be competitive to get a job at Jacobs, as the firm seeks candidates with strong technical and consulting skills. Jacobs careers often require relevant industry experience, and roles in consulting services or Jacobs internships can be stepping stones.

Q: Where is Jacobs headquartered?
A: Jacobs is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates as a global consulting firm with offices across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its global presence supports projects in engineering, strategy consulting, and infrastructure development.