Business Details
50 Years
experience
Expert Structural Engineering Services in San Antonio, TX
Founded in 1976, Structural Engineering Associates (SEA) has established itself as a leading structural engineering firm in Texas. With a dedicated team of 46 professionals, including 19 licensed engineers, we specialize in delivering innovative and cost-effective structural design solutions for transportation, international bridges, municipal projects, water resources, and energy sectors. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our 450+ years of combined engineering experience and a client retention rate that includes partnerships spanning over 30 years. Headquartered in San Antonio, SEA has completed landmark projects such as the US 281 North Extension and the San Pedro Creek Culture Park.Our team prioritizes timely communication, quality submittals, and tailored solutions to meet complex structural challenges. As a firm built on the legacy of founder Jesse S. Covarrubias, we continue to impact communities through engineering excellence while maintaining a collaborative work environment for our staff. Our expertise in Texas-Mexico border bridge development and long-standing relationships with agencies like TxDOT and CPS Energy underscore our regional leadership in structural design.
Services
Structural Engineering
Bridge Design
International Bridges
Retaining Walls
Water Resources
Precast Concrete
Transportation Projects
Municipal Projects
Energy Projects
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We have over 47 years of experience in structural engineering design.
- Our team of 19 professional engineers offers 450+ years of combined experience.
- We provide innovative solutions to complex structural challenges.
- Our staff responds to requests promptly, enabling effective collaboration.
- We deliver quality submittals on time, ensuring client satisfaction.
Services
Structural Engineering
Structural Engineering Associates provides comprehensive structural design services for complex infrastructure projects. Our engineers specialize in creating durable, code-compliant solutions for bridges, buildings, and public works. With 450+ years of combined experience, we deliver tailored designs that balance innovation with practicality for transportation, energy, and municipal clients.
Bridge Design
Our bridge design expertise spans simple crossings to complex international border structures. SEA has completed TxDOT projects like the US 281 North Extension and Elysian Viaduct. We handle all phases from initial analysis to final construction documentation, ensuring safety and longevity for highway, pedestrian, and border crossing applications.
International Bridges
Specializing in Texas-Mexico border crossings since 1976, we design secure, efficient international bridges. Projects include the World Trade Bridge and Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. Our team addresses unique regulatory and operational requirements while maintaining structural integrity and cross-border functionality.
Water Resources
We engineer durable structures for water treatment plants, pipelines, and flood control systems. Recent projects include SAWS H2Oaks Desalination Facility and Medio Creek WRC Expansion. Our designs optimize water management while meeting environmental regulations and community needs in San Antonio and surrounding regions.
Energy Projects
SEA provides structural analysis for energy facilities including CPS Energy's Calaveras Power Plant. Our work covers access bridges, security buildings, and plant expansions. We ensure energy infrastructure meets safety standards while supporting reliable power generation across Texas.
People
David T. Covarrubias
Vice President
With decades of structural engineering experience, David leads major projects while maintaining the firm's founding commitment to quality and client service excellence since joining in 1981.
Johnnie C. Ching
Associate Vice President
As Senior Project Manager, Johnnie oversees complex structural designs with 30+ years of expertise in municipal and transportation infrastructure projects across Texas.
Salvador H. Lopez
Associate Vice President
A founding owner since 1977, Salvador contributes extensive knowledge of bridge engineering and project management to SEA's ongoing success in structural design.
Charles F. Garza
Associate Vice President
With 40+ years at SEA, Charles specializes in innovative structural solutions for transportation and municipal projects, ensuring technical excellence across all deliverables.
Sidney Sid A. Mielke
Senior Project Manager
Leading critical infrastructure projects, Sidney applies advanced engineering principles to complex structural challenges with a focus on precision and client satisfaction.
Questions
What services does SEA specialize in?
We specialize in structural engineering for transportation, international bridges, municipal projects, water resources, and energy infrastructure across Texas.
How long has SEA been in business?
Structural Engineering Associates has provided engineering services since 1976, with over 47 years of experience in structural design.
Which geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Texas clients including San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, and border regions, with projects spanning the entire state.
Do you handle international bridge projects?
Yes, we've designed border infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico corridor since 1976, including five major international bridges.
What experience do you have with TxDOT projects?
We've completed numerous TxDOT assignments since 1981, including complex bridge designs for IH 27, SH 211, and US 281 projects.
