Nelson Engineering is Salas O’Brien
Mission assurance engineering
Nelson Engineering Co./Salas O’Brien provides engineering, architecture, and systems integration for mission-critical facilities, infrastructure, and operations (including missile defense). Services include MEP, Civil, Structural, and Fire Protection. Specialty services include Reliability Engineering, Commissioning (Cx), Sustainability Engineering, Facility Condition Assessments, and Power Infrastructure and Modernization.
Strategic Wins: Nelson Engineering Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Salas O’Brien was recently awarded a seat on the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) SHIELD Contract.
Contact us or call now 1.321.449.1128
Mission-critical services
We are engineered for impact™ with optimized solutions for complex challenges:
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection
Salas O’Brien offers comprehensive mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design (MEP/FP) solutions for mission-critical buildings and facilities of all types and sizes. These include office buildings, industrial complexes, research centers, testing facilities, hangars, and command-and-control centers. Learn more
Civil engineering
Salas O’Brien’s civil engineering team offers site development services for the Federal DoD, civilian agencies, and private sector clients from planning through construction. With offices across the country, we understand local regulatory requirements, geotechnical conditions, climate, stormwater, and more. Learn more
Structural engineering
Salas O’Brien’s structural engineering team provides tailored structural systems to meet planning and design needs for mission-critical new facilities, renovations, and expansions. Learn more
Architecture & interiors
Salas O’Brien’s architecture and interior design team has decades of experience serving clients from initial design strategy and planning through implementation and management. Our expertise includes corporate workplaces, data centers, critical facilities, manufacturing, laboratories, testing facilities, aerospace, transportation, and military installations. Learn more
Reliability engineering
Reliability Engineering offers services including failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), criticality analysis (CA), fault tree analysis (FTA), root cause analysis (RCA), condition-based maintenance (CBM), reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM), and alternative equipment maintenance (AEM). Our precise approach adheres to industry standards like SAE JA1011, ISO 31000, and ISO 55000. Learn more
Sustainability engineering
Sustainability Engineering, also known as Lifecycle Engineering, ensures ongoing mission performance, compliance with regulations, and long-term asset value. Salas O’Brien offers a unique combination of reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and energy-efficiency solutions, specifically designed for mission-critical federal and commercial facilities. We assist facility managers in lowering operational and maintenance costs while preserving operational readiness. Learn more
Environmental engineering
At Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center, Salas O’Brien is the top engineering firm for environmental studies and permits. The team is quick and precise. We understand what the regulators seek, and we deliver what they need to approve the project. We get it right the first time, so you can proceed without delays, no matter your location. Learn more
Power infrastructure and modernization
Salas O’Brien partners with clients to upgrade and modernize their systems—enhancing reliability, enabling grid interactivity, and supporting long-term resilience. From substation design to distributed energy resources (DER) integration, we deliver solutions that are smart, scalable, and built to last. Additional services include microgrids, geothermal energy, and renewable projects. Learn more
Facilities condition assessments
Salas O’Brien is deeply experienced in Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs) using various platforms ranging from BUILDER SMS to commercial software and integrated work management platforms. We help those responsible for the upkeep of buildings and infrastructure understand their component inventory, remaining useful life, and replacement costs, and leverage our analytical capabilities to prioritize where to allocate limited resources. Learn more
Commissioning (Cx)
We involve engineering, construction, and quality teams early in the Cx process, so protocols are integrated alongside design—not added afterward. This results in fewer surprises during startup, fewer change orders late in the schedule, and a smoother path to operational readiness. Our teams understand both the technical systems and the compliance environment. We create documentation that withstands regulatory review and perform testing that mimics real operating conditions rather than just theoretical performance. Additionally, we offer initial training and ongoing programs to ensure smooth operations. Learn more
Cost segregation studies
A Cost Segregation Study (CSS) is an in-depth study of new construction or existing property renovation. A CSS analyzes new or existing property and optimally classifies depreciable assets to generate cash flow tax savings. Salas O’Brien identifies assets eligible for accelerated depreciation so the property owner can realize faster recovery of capitalized costs and near-term tax savings. Learn more
Incident energy analysis / arc flash studies
Salas O’Brien provides programmatic power studies to help ensure that your electrical system is safe, reliable, and efficient, while minimizing the risk of downtime and damage. We provide incident energy and arc-flash hazard analyses, short-circuit, and protective device coordination studies. Our engineers collect detailed electrical system data at each site and use it to validate existing drawings or develop new one-line and electrical system floor plan drawings. We perform short-circuit, equipment evaluation, arc-flash, and protective device coordination analyses in accordance with applicable NFPA, IEEE, and ANSI standards. Learn more
Case studies
Condition-based maintenance program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Salas O’Brien updated NASA’s policy on “Condition Based Maintenance” (CBM), also known as Tiered Maintenance or Reliability Centered Maintenance for all of NASA’s infrastructure (NASA Interim Directive-NID 8831.124). In addition, we inspected and tiered 100% of their infrastructure and facilities, applying the new standard to all 10 NASA Field Centers and associated facilities, occupying approximately 313 million square feet of space. Learn more.
Launch Complex 41 Modifications for the United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Salas O’Brien provided comprehensive design and construction management for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan launch site. Services included the design, engineering, and construction management of fuel and acoustical suppression water systems and engineering services for electrical, communication, fire protection, fixed water spray, storage vessel layout, environmental, and process piping. Learn more.
Science processing and ammonia vapor containment facility
NASA needed additional processing space and capabilities at the Kennedy Space Center to ensure the success of its Mars 2020 program. Salas O’Brien led Phase 1, including renovating the Flight Crew Equipment Processing Lab to provide additional clean room laboratory space and redesigning the kitchen to create seven extra Science Processing Areas. The design scope grew due to the Ammonia Vapor Containment Facility (VCF) needing to stay operational during complete construction. Therefore, we included a 20-foot expansion of the VCF without an increase to the budget. Learn more.
Integrated energy systems for US Marine Corps Installations
Salas O’Brien is delivering comprehensive engineering services for site-wide microgrids and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems at multiple locations in Japan, including Iwakuni, Okinawa, and Fuji. Our team is designing energy solutions integrating diverse power sources with microgrids such as photovoltaic installations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and natural gas and diesel generators. Learn more.
Saving $1B over ten years through facility modernization
Our team designed the facility system retrofits supporting the new nitrogen and helium process mechanical control systems that mitigate the leakage that was occurring. By mitigating losses in the regulation and distribution process, the upgraded CCF is expected to save NASA over $1 billion over the next 10 years through reduced helium leaks. NASA is the single largest consumer of helium in the world. Learn more.
Assessing potential electrical risks and supporting compliance
Salas O’Brien has been conducting incident energy and arc flash hazard analyses for the electrical systems supporting the Atlas V and Vulcan programs at CCSFS Space Launch Complexes since 2013. In 2019, we were awarded studies for ULA facilities at VSFB Launch Complexes. Learn more.
Value engineering for the world’s largest high-containment research lab
The US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) replacement facility is the US Biological Defense Research Program’s lead medical research laboratory. As one of the nation’s most complex and sensitive facilities, the new facility comprises state-of-the-art BSL-2, -3, -4 and ABSL-2, -3, -4 spaces, administrative offices, and operational support facilities. Salas O’Brien provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection value engineering and design review services as part of a comprehensive value engineering team. Learn more.
State-of-the-art facility for scientific & industrial researchers
Salas O’Brien provided commissioning for the facility, which is a key resource for researchers at Brookhaven’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials, allowing for analysis of new materials that are expected to transform the nation’s energy future. The National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) II is a medium-energy electron storage ring (3 billion electron-volts) designed to deliver world leading intensity and brightness, and produce x-rays more than 10,000 times brighter than the current NSLS. Learn more.
Streamlining efficiency by consolidating 28 structures
Salas O’Brien is the engineering design partner for NASA’s Johnson Space Center’s new Center Facility Support Building. This project consolidates 28 outdated structures into a modern, energy-efficient facility. As part of a design-build partnership, we are collaborating with Healtheon, Inc. to incorporate advanced resilience features, including a hurricane-resistant warehouse design, alongside historic preservation elements approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Our collaborative approach prioritizes sustainability and life cycle cost efficiency, aligning with NASA’s environmental goals and targeting LEED Silver certification. Learn more.
Let’s talk about your project
This form is for inquiries regarding projects and procurements only. For recruiting, visit our Careers page.