Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Engineering Partner in Chicago
Terra Engineering is a woman-owned, full-service engineering firm specializing in civil engineering, landscape architecture, and land surveying. Since 1992, we have delivered client-specific solutions that balance scope, budget, and schedule while prioritizing innovation and sustainability. Our multidisciplinary team of over 100 professionals serves municipalities, private clients, and government agencies across the U.S. and internationally. With offices in Chicago, Peoria, St.Louis, and Milwaukee, we combine technical expertise with community-focused design to enhance infrastructure and public spaces. Our culture emphasizes continuous learning, collaboration, and ethical stewardship, reflected in our ISO-certified processes and over 100 industry awards. We maintain active community involvement through pro bono work and partnerships with local nonprofits, ensuring our projects contribute to long-term societal and environmental benefits.
Services
Construction Engineering
Electrical Engineering
GIS Mapping
Landscape Architecture
Municipal Engineering
Public Involvement
Site Development
Structural Engineering
Traffic Engineering
Water Resources
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in civil engineering and infrastructure projects
- Our multidisciplinary team holds 100+ industry awards for engineering excellence
- Woman-owned firm with ISO-certified quality management systems
- We maintain four regional offices for localized project expertise
- Our staff includes Certified Floodplain Managers and licensed professionals in multiple states
Services
Construction Engineering
Our construction engineering team manages infrastructure projects from concept to completion. We provide quality control, schedule adherence, and budget management for municipal and private clients. Our expertise spans transportation systems, public facilities, and complex urban developments.
Landscape Architecture
We create sustainable outdoor environments that enhance community livability. Our landscape architects design public parks, streetscapes, and civic spaces that balance aesthetics with functional performance. Projects integrate green infrastructure and context-sensitive solutions for long-term value.
Water Resources
Our certified floodplain managers and hydraulic engineers develop drainage solutions and water management systems. Services include floodplain analysis, stormwater management, and sanitary sewer design for municipal and industrial clients across diverse geographic regions.
Traffic Engineering
We provide comprehensive traffic data collection and analysis using advanced equipment. Our services optimize traffic flow for roadways, intersections, and transportation corridors through intelligent transportation systems and data-driven recommendations.
Public Involvement
We develop customized public participation plans for infrastructure projects. Our approach ensures stakeholder input through workshops, surveys, and outreach programs that meet regulatory requirements while building community consensus.
People
Karen Steingraber
President
Karen founded Terra Engineering in 1992 and leads strategic operations. With 30+ years in civil engineering, she specializes in municipal infrastructure and sustainable design, earning Midwest Construction's Best of 2010 recognition.
Jamil Bou-Saab
Executive Vice President
Jamil co-founded TERRA and oversees technical operations. A licensed professional engineer, he directs complex transportation and water resources projects, receiving multiple ACEC Illinois Engineering Excellence Awards for innovative infrastructure solutions.
George Ghareeb
Senior Vice President
George manages TERRA's Peoria operations and has led municipal engineering projects since 2000. His expertise in public infrastructure earned him leadership roles in regional transportation initiatives and multiple ASCE award-winning projects.
Questions
What engineering services does TERRA offer?
We provide civil, structural, traffic, and transportation engineering services, along with landscape architecture, surveying, GIS mapping, and water resources management for public and private clients.
Does TERRA work on international projects?
Yes, we've completed projects internationally including the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Riyadh traffic monitoring initiatives while maintaining our core U.S. market presence.
What industries do you serve?
We serve government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and private developers with expertise in transportation, municipal infrastructure, and sustainable site development projects.
How does TERRA ensure project quality?
Our ISO-certified quality management system combines technical reviews, experienced staff, and client collaboration to deliver projects within scope, budget, and schedule while meeting regulatory standards.
What community initiatives are supported?
We actively support local nonprofits through board memberships, charity events, and pro bono design work focused on affordable housing, environmental conservation, and community revitalization projects.
