McLaren is now part of KCI. Visit kci.com to explore our expanded service offerings.
Craig Plate, PE, is an Engineer-Diver known for delivering dependable marine engineering on active, high-risk waterfront assets, combining rigorous structural design with hands-on inspection experience to produce solutions that are buildable, durable, and ready for permitting and construction.
Craig brings deep experience across underwater inspection, engineering design, project management, and contract management for city and state clients, with a track record managing complex inspection and design efforts that require tight coordination, clear reporting, and disciplined execution. His background includes marine waterfront design, topside and underwater inspection, resident engineering assignments and construction management.
His technical strength is marine structural engineering, including structural analysis, load ratings, and rehabilitation design for waterfront structures. Craig specializes in steel, timber, and concrete waterfront systems and frequently supports projects that depend on site-specific geotechnical and underwater investigations, coordinating field programs and integrating findings into practical, permit-ready designs.
As an Engineer-Diver, Craig also brings strong inspection capabilities that strengthen his design recommendations. That combination of field insight and engineering judgment helps clients prioritize repairs, manage risk, and keep waterfront facilities operating safely and reliably.
Craig is a Professional Engineer licensed in seven states: Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Nationwide coverage is supported by our in-house licensed professionals, enabling signing and sealing in all 50 states.
As Project Manager and Lead Marine Design Engineer, Craig led NYCDOT’s design of a sustainable parallel-motion fender system for Slip 3 to reduce ongoing replacement of tropical hardwood piles. He evaluated alternatives and used berthing energy modeling to develop a durable, cost-effective design using cone fenders with dolphin deflection and short rock-socketed piles, while addressing passenger acceleration and delivering fender rack design, drawings, specs, cost estimates, and permitting support.
As Project Manager, Craig led NYCDOC’s assessment of approximately 6,000 linear feet of shoreline damaged by Hurricane Sandy and directed the design and permitting of riprap revetment, outfall headwalls, and steel sheet pile bulkheads. He supported construction by managing the on-site Resident Engineer and coordinating tightly controlled scheduling and site access requirements for work on Rikers Island.
Design Engineer providing structural engineering and design for a sheet pile wall along the River Barge Park and Hackensack River shoreline. Craig integrated architectural features into the steel design while accounting for site soil conditions and also supported permitting.
As Lead Marine Structural Engineer, Craig led the design of new bow-loading fender systems and access bridges to support NYCDOT vessel maintenance. He directed mooring and berthing analysis, geotechnical pile design, and structural design for overhead cranes and access bridges, coordinating value engineering and advancing the design to 100% completion, including solutions for shallow rock and multiple vessel types.
Craig has experience inspecting and designing various types of waterfront and underwater structures, including:
Craig's diving experience and skills include:
We’re excited to share that McLaren Engineering Group is now part of KCI Technologies Inc., a 100% employee-owned firm offering engineering and consulting across all markets, and construction for communications and environmental projects.
Our commitment to excellence continues with the added strength of KCI’s full range of engineering and consulting services.
Visit KCI’s website to learn more.
