Kleinschmidt wins Zweig Group workplace culture award

Kleinschmidt Associates was named a 2026 Best Firm to Work For by Zweig Group, ranking 15th in the Firm Size category and 30th in Multidiscipline. The honor highlights the Pittsfield, Maine-based engineering and consulting firm’s workplace culture, employee experience, and retention practices. Why it matters: - The award signals that Kleinschmidt Associates is being recognized for employee experience, not just business performance. - The ranking can support recruiting, retention, and brand credibility in the competitive architecture, engineering, and construction sector. - Zweig Group’s honor is one of the AEC industry’s most closely watched workplace awards. What happened: - Kleinschmidt Associates was named a 2026 Best Firm to Work For by Zweig Group. - The firm placed 15th in the Firm Size category and 30th in the Multidiscipline category. - The recognition was announced June 16, 2026, from Pittsfield, Maine. - Award winners will be recognized at the 2026 ElevateAEC Conference and Awards Gala. The details: - Zweig Group evaluates firms on workplace practices, benefits, retention rates, and direct employee feedback. - The award recognizes architecture, engineering, and construction firms that show strength in workplace culture, employee experience, and organizational performance. - Tim Oakes, chief executive officer at Kleinschmidt, said the recognition reflects the commitment of the firm’s employee-owners and the company’s focus on creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. - Oakes also said the feedback from the process helps Kleinschmidt identify strengths to maintain and areas to improve. - Chad Clinehens, president and CEO of Zweig Group, said the recognized firms have shown a strong commitment to employees and workplace culture. - The Best Firms To Work For Award highlights organizations that prioritize employee engagement, professional development, and a positive workplace environment. Between the lines: - The award puts measurable weight on culture, since rankings come from both company data and employee input. - For AEC firms, that mix matters because retention and hiring are major pressure points across the industry. - Kleinschmidt is using the recognition to reinforce a longer-term message about being an employee-focused firm. What’s next: - Kleinschmidt will be recognized alongside other winners at the 2026 ElevateAEC Conference and Awards Gala. - The company is likely to use the feedback from the evaluation process as part of ongoing workplace improvements. - Kleinschmidt continues to position its culture as a competitive advantage in engineering and environmental consulting. The bottom line: - Kleinschmidt earned external validation for a workplace model built around employee engagement, retention, and culture.