History

PAE Design & Facility Management was founded in central Tokyo in 1955 by Edward Shay, a civil and mechanical engineer, shortly after the end of World War II.

Mr. Shay originally came to Japan with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to support the country’s post-war reconstruction efforts. Inspired by the opportunity to contribute further, he chose to remain in Japan and establish his own company.

The original office was a prefabricated structure, which was later replaced by a concrete building. Remarkably, the company still operates at the same location where it was founded, maintaining a proud legacy that spans nearly seven decades.

Since then, PDFM has grown to become a Japanese First-Class Certified Architecture Firm, offering multi-disciplinary services as a trusted partner to the U.S. government, international corporations, and commercial clients.

In late 1950s, PAE (now PDFM) undertook the design and construction management of Kandahar International Airport in Afghanistan, commissioned by the U.S. State Department’s International Cooperation Administration (a predecessor of USAID).

This comprehensive project included the design of the airfield, runway lighting, water supply and distribution systems, sewage systems, electrical infrastructure, and landscaping. It also covered numerous buildings and facilities such as the Terminal Building, Communications Center, Diesel Power Plant, Freight Building, Transient Quarters, 70 Family Units, a Community Center, and a Hospital.

Since the early 2010s, PDFM has significantly expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions.

The 2013 integration of CSC’s Applied Technology Division added expertise in military and space testing, infrastructure services, and aviation maintenance. In 2015, the acquisition of USIS’s Global Security & Solutions unit strengthened our support for national security missions and broadened our services to include identity management, information discovery, and national programs. Today, as part of Amentum, these capabilities are central to how we serve our clients and protect critical interests.

In February 2022, PDFM became part of Amentum through an acquisition.
As a result, we joined a global enterprise operating across all seven continents—including Antarctica—in over 80 countries, with a workforce of 53,000 employees.

Through our diverse business developments over the years and the recent integration with Amentum, PDFM has not only grown its pool of talented professionals across various specialized fields, but also strengthened its ability to deliver a wide range of services on a global scale.

As we move forward, we will continue to honor the values we have cultivated over the past 70 years, while striving for further growth as a company.
We are committed to providing our clients with the most innovative and cost-effective solutions, backed by our high level of expertise and extensive experience.