Our Firm
Your Success is Our Success
Coughlin Porter Lundeen is a civil and structural engineering firm. Focused in the Pacific Northwest, we partner with clients across markets to bring unique project visions to life. We were founded with the goal of exceeding the standards and services provided by engineering firms, and today, almost 30 years later, that vision continues to guide all that we do.
Coughlin Porter Lundeen was founded in 1994 by Jim Coughlin, Steve Porter, and Terry Lundeen. Since then, Coughlin Porter Lundeen has grown steadily from a team of six to a firm of more than 100.
Coughlin Porter Lundeen serves as a partner to the region’s top developers, architects, contractors and organizations. The values established at our founding still guide all we do. We love rising to the challenges presented by unique client visions and the fast-growing Pacific Northwest.
Jim Coughlin
Jim Coughlin
Principal Emeritus
Jim is synonymous with quality. Since his early career, his focus has been working collaboratively and efficiently with design teams to create superior construction drawings.
Coughlin Porter Lundeen’s culture has benefited from his outlook, as it’s founded on creative solutions and dedication to high quality design. As Jim says, “The commitment to comprehensive documents makes projects easier to construct and more economical to build.” He’s developed a workplace where every team member takes seriously their responsibility to “do it right” and is committed to providing value for the design team, the owner, and the contractor.
His work with architectural structures of all sizes, shapes, and construction materials includes a prolific body of work with public and private clients in all markets served by the firm. He is known for his integrity and dedication to clients, and his influence is represented in the design of over 60 million square feet of facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
P.E., S.E.
Principal Emeritus
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering, Washington State University, Cum laude
Fun Fact
Fan of rock, blues, and reggae; can be found on weekends sipping wine and watching the river flow.
Steve Porter
Steve Porter
Principal
Steve’s tenacity and perseverance, evident in the firm’s fast growth and continued success, took root far before his working years. He attended Washington State University on a wrestling scholarship, competing as a D1 athlete while completing a rigorous engineering program. Today, that same character affords him unparalleled relationships with the region’s top architects, developers and jurisdictions.
Overseeing the civil practice, Steve pushes his team of engineers to reach beyond their discipline, to “think like an owner,” and to strive for vision that extends far beyond engineering. A thoughtful mediator and a powerful advocate for his clients, Steve bridges the divide that can often exist between clients and regulatory agencies. An advocate of sustainable design long before it became mainstream, Steve is known throughout the industry as the leader in creative design practices.
His work in greater Seattle includes many of the region’s flagships including the Microsoft campus, the Amazon Spheres, The Allen Institute, and the decade-long transformation of South Lake Union.
P.E., LEED AP
Principal
Education
Fun Fact
An avid fly fisherman, Steve travels the world for a shot at unique species.
Terry Lundeen
Terry Lundeen
Principal Emeritus
Terry is responsible for the structural design of hundreds of prominent buildings in the Puget Sound region. Known in the industry for his technical expertise, his 40 years of structural engineering experience spans a wide variety of project types including office buildings, healthcare and laboratory facilities, and public/municipal structures. He is also a well-respected international presenter and author.
He has a keen interest and passion for saving existing buildings, being actively involved in local historic preservation boards as well as a leader in the development of national seismic upgrade codes and standards. Terry balances detailed knowledge of leading technologies with a big-picture perspective to achieve success.
P.E., S.E.
Principal Emeritus
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering, Bradley University, Illinois, Summa cum laude
Fun Fact
An outdoor enthusiast with a mean tennis serve.
Our commitments
Sustainability
Sustainable design requires more than selecting the right materials or systems. It requires understanding how decisions made throughout the design process affect long-term performance, resilience, and carbon impact. Through expertise in stormwater management, mass timber, and embodied carbon, Coughlin Porter Lundeen helps project teams develop practical solutions grounded in research, experience, and measurable outcomes.
Technology
Digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and virtual reality support better coordination, clearer communication, and more informed project teams throughout design and construction. We use technology to solve problems, reduce uncertainty, and help owners, architects, engineers, and contractors make decisions with confidence.
Community
Our team donates hundreds of hours each year both locally and internationally and Coughlin Porter Lundeen is regularly recognized as a top corporate donor of time and talent.
We’re active in the community, both as individuals and as a team. Our staff are advocates for the causes most important to them, serving on executive boards of nonprofit organizations, traveling internationally on nonprofit teams, supporting STEM students, donating engineering services, organizing office donations, service events, and campaign.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Coughlin Porter Lundeen is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion. Internally, equity takes the form of training and mentorship efforts and identifying multiple channels through which we support women and underrepresented minorities in engineering.
By appreciating the importance of inclusion, we acknowledge that the collective individual talents, skills, and perspectives of a diverse staff fosters a culture of belonging, collaborative practice, innovation, and mutual respect that leads to a deeper relationship with our clients, our projects, and our community.