About Daedalus

Engineering for ambitious architecture

We partner with architects to make ambitious ideas buildable, bringing clarity, ingenuity, and technical precision to every structure.

Our Story

Founded in 2007 by Doug Robertson, Daedalus began with a clear vision: to be engineering partners who help great architecture take shape.

Named after Daedalus, the legendary craftsman and architect of Greek mythology, we embrace his spirit of ingenuity, using technical mastery to solve complex challenges without compromising design intent.

From hillside residences and civic buildings to mass timber structures and one-of-a-kind spaces, we approach every project with curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for design. Working closely with architects and builders, we develop structures that are elegant, buildable, and integral to the architecture.

For us, structural engineering is more than making a design stand. It is helping make the design possible.

Our Approach

The principles that guide our work

Collaboration

The best solutions come from working together. We engage closely with architects, builders, and owners throughout the design process, bringing structural thinking into the conversation early and developing solutions that strengthen the project as a whole.

Systems Thinking

We look beyond individual structural elements to understand the project as a whole, considering how structure interacts with architecture, construction, cost, and performance from the earliest stages of design.

Innovation

We bring curiosity and ingenuity to every project, exploring new materials, technologies, and structural approaches to create solutions that expand design possibilities and improve how buildings come together.

Design Excellence

Technical rigor and aesthetic sensibility go hand in hand. We engineer structures that are efficient, resilient, and thoughtfully integrated with the architecture.

Our Commitment

Signatories of the SE 2050 Commitment

Daedalus is a signatory of the SE 2050 Commitment, the Structural Engineering Institute's program to reach net zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. We track and report the embodied carbon of our projects and work with design teams toward lower-carbon options.

Our Team

Who we are

Doug Robertson

Principal, P.E., S.E.

Doug is the Founder of Daedalus and brings more than 35 years of experience as a practicing structural engineer. He is a passionate advocate for engineering as a catalyst for great architecture, consistently positioning structure as an enabler of ambitious design. His system-based, rather than component-based, approach fosters innovative solutions that often reveal possibilities others might consider unattainable. Doug continues to advance the industry through the development and application of his own design ideas, challenging conventional standards and expanding what is achievable through structural engineering. He is known for crafting thoughtful strategies around critical design details while maintaining a clear focus on budget, schedule, and constructability.

A graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, Doug was drawn to California for its dynamic design culture and seismic complexity. Outside the office, he enjoys woodworking, cooking, and exploring great food. He is equally at home in the mountains or by the ocean, whether hiking alpine trails, skiing, or spending time along the California coast.

Careers

Join our team

We bring together talented engineers and design-minded professionals who value collaboration, curiosity, and thoughtful problem-solving. Whether you’re exploring current opportunities or interested in connecting for the future, we’d like to hear from you.

Get in touch

[email protected]

Current Openings

(2)

Experienced Professional Engineer

7+ years experience

Lead complex structural projects from concept through construction.

Design Engineer

3-5 years experience

Develop structural designs and details for diverse project types.

Life at Daedalus