About Us
About VERTEX Engineering
VERTEX Engineering was founded because we saw a clear gap in the engineering consulting market.
Large firms often come with high fees, long timelines, and complex processes, while very small firms
may offer lower costs but sometimes lack the technical depth and quality control clients need.
Many clients are left choosing between expensive but slow or affordable but risky.
We created VERTEX to offer a better balance. By operating as a lean, focused firm, we keep overhead low
and decision-making simple. This allows us to take on projects efficiently, quickly, and at fair fees,
while ensuring every project receives direct involvement from senior engineers. Clients benefit from
responsive communication, fast turnaround, and engineering solutions that are both high-quality and
cost-conscious.
This approach is possible because VERTEX is built on strong technical foundations. The firm is led by a
PhD-trained structural engineer from the University of British Columbia,
Dr. Alaa Al Hawarneh, PhD, P.Eng., PMP, supported by highly qualified engineers with deep
technical knowledge and practical experience. This expertise enables us to develop optimized,
performance-driven solutions that simplify construction, reduce unnecessary material and detailing,
and often result in substantial construction cost savings – frequently exceeding the design fees
themselves.
Our focus is not on maximizing billable hours, but on delivering meaningful value. By prioritizing
optimization, constructability, and sound engineering judgment, we help clients make informed decisions
that control costs while maintaining safety, performance, and long-term reliability.
What We Do
Our services are centered around structural engineering, supported by integrated geotechnical and civil
engineering expertise. We work closely with clients, architects, contractors, and authorities to deliver
solutions that are code-compliant, efficient, and tailored to each project’s objectives.
Our project experience includes:
- New building design across multiple sectors
- Structural assessment and certification of existing buildings
- Renovations, change-of-use, and adaptive reuse projects
- Structural strengthening and rehabilitation, including FRP systems
- Seismic evaluation and advanced performance-based analysis
- Value engineering and constructability reviews
Founder & Principal Engineer
Dr. Alaa Al Hawarneh, PhD, P.Eng., PMP
Founder & Principal Engineer
VERTEX Engineering is led by Dr. Alaa Al Hawarneh, PhD, P.Eng., PMP, a structural engineer
with over a decade of professional experience across Canada and the Middle East. His career spans
consulting practice, technical leadership, and research-driven innovation, with involvement in
hundreds of projects across residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
Before founding VERTEX, Dr. Alaa served as Head of the Structural Department at a consulting firm in
British Columbia and previously held senior engineering roles in the UAE. He holds a PhD from the
University of British Columbia in seismic design of structures and brings a strong background in
advanced analysis, rehabilitation, and performance-based engineering. His professional credentials
include P.Eng., PMP, LEED, and Six Sigma Black Belt, alongside multiple academic and
industry recognitions.
