Who We Are

Since 1991, ILGSE has been one of the preeminent structural engineering firms in the Puget Sound region, specializing in affordable housing and historic renovation.

Our Services Include

 

  • Renovation of Historical Structures
  • Affordable Housing Facilities
  • Single Family Residential
  • Churches
  • Higher Education
  • Special Projects
  • Seismic Studies 
  • Mixed-Use Architecture
  • Office, Retail and Commercial Buildings
  • Health Care Facilities 
  • Municipal Buildings
  • Libraries
  • Sustainable Design
I.L. GROSS STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS  is a minority-owned small business located in Mountlake Terrace, WA.

Although we may seem small in number, we take pride in our ability to rise to any engineering challenge.  As we like to say, we’re big enough to deliver, but small enough to care.  

From the long-lasting connections with our clients, we draw from our 30 years of broad technical experience to enhance each and every project. We have been blessed with repeat work utilizing the same design teams over decades worth of projects.  The shorthand developed within these collaborative teams allows us to solve design challenges to create some impactful work. It has also led to some great interoffice BBQs, shared life events, and endless stories about client wardrobe choices.   

As structural engineers, we learned long ago that heading into work is much easier when you are doing something that you believe in with projects that make a positive difference in others’ lives. While some firms may get jazzed about creating glass towers on every corner, our firm is passionate about the serious mission of providing affordable housing to all those who need it. Witnessing the real impact these projects have on the community, hearing their stories and seeing individuals and families get a safe place to call home has been the most meaningful part of our careers. Similarly, another passion for our firm continues to be preserving the historic buildings and giving them new life while restoring their original charm and character. While it may be easier to tear down these treasures, we value the community impact of saving these places. 

Leadership

Robyn Mah
Principal

Robyn has worked at ILGSE since 1993, when she finally badgered Ira enough into hiring her. She focuses primarily on historic renovation and affordable housing projects. In this capacity, she consistently provides clients with innovative structural solutions, constructable details, and understands when to lighten the mood in meetings with a  nerdy joke or two.  Robyn also currently serves on the 4Culture Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Outside of work, she hangs out with her husband Jim and their son Rory who know the way to her heart is salty chips, Neha's chai, and watching Schitt's Creek & West Wing reruns. 

It's also important to note that we did NOT purposely color-coordinate our clothes for this webpage. That was a random and unfortunate event that happens when engineers have to dress themselves.  :- ) 

Mark Speidel

Principal

Registered Civil and Structural Engineer in the State of Washington

Since moving to Washington in 2001 to join ILGSE, Mark has worked on projects throughout Washington state, as well as projects in Oregon, California, and Alaska.  The primary focus of his work is on multi-family and single-family housing projects.  

In his time outside the office, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Rian, and attempting to keep up with their two children.  He also enjoys the ongoing torment of being a University of Arizona fan every football season, and the redemption that usually follows with the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  
 

Victor Martinez
Principal

Registered Civil Engineer in the State of Washington

Victor works on a wide variety of project types including multi-family affordable housing,  commercial projects, historic renovation, higher education, places of worship and residential work.   

Outside of the office, Victor and his wife, Stephanie are passionate hockey fans.  They have been longtime season ticket holders to both the Everett Silvertips and Seattle Kraken hockey teams.  Don't worry, we'll defintely make the playoffs next year.  Right?  

Please note:  I've never seen either of those turquoise outfits in the office before or after these photos.                So, there's that.   

Our Founder
Ira Gross, PE, SE

After working as a principal at Ratti-Fossatti Structural Engineers, the mothership to so many structural engineering firms in Seattle, Ira founded I.L. Gross Structural Engineers in 1991 with a small office in Historic Pioneer Square.

Ira's talent as a master craftsman shaped his unique and practical approach to structural engineering which continues to guide the firm to this day.  Ira's ability to relay complex engineering concepts to contractors, architects, and owners allowed him to enjoy a career that spanned over four decades. 

Ira is enjoying his retirement in Lake Forest Park with his lovely wife, Gail, their dog Gemma, and adorable grandkids.  Most of the time, though, you can find him in his beloved workshop tinkering on his next project.

 

"As simply as Dean could put it, this was his advice to me when I started my own firm, and it is still true. 

There are three parts to running a firm; you need to take care of your clients, enjoy your career, and make a profit.  If you make taking care of your clients and enjoying your careers at the top of your priorities, making a profit will take care of itself.  If you put making a profit as your priority, your clients won’t be happy and you won’t end up enjoying your career. 

I tried to hold onto that concept throughout my career, and to pass it along to you guys."

- Ira L. Gross -

Let's Talk About Your Project

 

We are a team of structural engineers with a wealth of experience in all forms of building methods and materials. We have earned a reputation for clear thinking and creativity under pressure that adds special value to our work.