Business Details
39 Years
experience
Trusted Structural Engineering Solutions
Morris Shaffer Structural Engineers has been delivering expert engineering solutions since 1987, combining decades of industry experience with a commitment to practical, creative, and cost-effective results. Our team of licensed professionals, including engineers with advanced degrees and prior construction industry expertise, collaborates closely with clients from conceptual design through project completion. We specialize in commercial, industrial, residential, and temporary event structures, addressing complex challenges while adhering to building codes and fostering innovation. With offices in San Francisco, Denver, and Orange County, we serve clients across seven states, maintaining long-standing relationships through reliability and technical excellence. Our engineers bring diverse project experience, including seismic evaluations, retaining walls, and industrial equipment anchorage, ensuring tailored solutions for every client.By integrating construction insights with engineering rigor, we prioritize efficient execution and client satisfaction. Our collaborative culture encourages continuous learning and specialization, enabling us to tackle unique structural challenges with confidence. Recognized for our work on high-profile projects like the Capitol Buick GMC showroom and custom residences, we remain dedicated to advancing structural engineering standards. With over 25 years of combined experience post-merger in 2016, we continue to expand our capabilities while upholding the legacy established by founder Ron Morris. Our commitment to transparency, technical excellence, and client-centric service positions us as a trusted partner for structural engineering needs across diverse industries.
Services
Commercial Structures
Industrial Engineering
Residential Projects
Event Structures
Retaining Walls
Seismic Evaluation
Foundation Design
Temporary Shoring
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in structural engineering across diverse industries.
- Our team includes licensed engineers with advanced degrees and construction expertise.
- We provide tailored solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and event structures.
- Our engineers understand both design and construction execution challenges.
- We operate in seven U.S. states with offices in three key metropolitan areas.
Services
Commercial Structures
We design new commercial buildings and retrofit existing structures, specializing in seismic evaluations, tenant improvements, and pre-fab foundation systems. Our team ensures code compliance while addressing unique architectural and site challenges for retail, office, and industrial spaces.
Industrial Engineering
Our industrial services include warehouse design, crane system analysis, and clean room structures. We address corrosive environments, heavy equipment anchorage, and specialized steel platforms, supporting food manufacturing and metal finishing industries with durable, efficient solutions.
Residential Projects
We provide structural solutions for single-family homes, multi-unit complexes, and custom residences. Our expertise includes additions, landslide repairs, soft-story retrofits, and retaining walls, integrating wood, steel, and concrete to meet complex architectural visions.
Event Structures
With 25+ years of experience, we engineer temporary event structures, concert rigging, and stage systems. Our team ensures safety and compliance for free-standing trusses, rooftop installations, and unique event venues across dozens of annual projects.
Retaining Walls
We design soil-nailed, cantilevered, and steel-plate retaining walls alongside temporary shoring systems. Our solutions address failing walls, new installations, and site-specific challenges using shotcrete, chainlink, or wood lagging for residential and commercial applications.
People
Robert Shaffer
Co-founder & Principal
Robert Shaffer, co-founder and Principal, has led structural engineering projects for over 25 years, specializing in commercial and industrial structures while maintaining a focus on client collaboration and technical excellence.
Sara Aukes
Principal
Sara Aukes, Principal, oversees complex engineering projects with expertise in structural design and permitting, ensuring compliance and innovation across diverse commercial and residential developments.
Kerry MacDonald
Principal
Kerry MacDonald, Principal, specializes in seismic evaluations and structural retrofits, bringing advanced engineering knowledge to high-risk areas while mentoring junior staff on best practices.
Ronald Morris
Principal Emeritus
Ronald Morris founded the firm in 1987 and established its reputation for excellence in structural engineering before retiring in 2021, leaving a legacy of innovation and client-focused solutions.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We provide structural engineering services across California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, Denver, and Orange County.
What types of projects do you handle?
We specialize in commercial, industrial, residential, and temporary event structures, including seismic retrofits, retaining walls, foundation design, and custom home engineering solutions.
How do you ensure project compliance?
Our licensed engineers adhere to local building codes while providing creative solutions that balance regulatory requirements with practical construction needs for every project.
Can you assist with event structures?
Yes, we have 25+ years of experience engineering concert stages, rigging systems, and temporary event structures, ensuring safety and compliance for venues and festivals nationwide.
What makes your team unique?
Our engineers combine advanced degrees with prior construction industry experience, allowing us to address both design and execution challenges for more efficient, reliable project outcomes.
