DevTech Engineering, a Bend firm, completed a merger Jan. 1 with AKS Engineering & Forestry LLC, of Tualatin, AKS announced Monday.

The merger will mean additional hiring in Bend to complement the staff of six, according to a news release. The merger brings the AKS employee count to 190 total.

DevTech, founded in 2008 by owner Chris Chambers, focused on civil engineering, land surveying and construction inspection services. He remains with the merged companies as co-manager of the Bend office with Brian Wilkinson, formerly the Bend office manager for HDR Engineering, according to the news release.

DevTech’s work in Bend includes improvements on Reed Market Road, St. Charles Medical Center and housing developments Bridges at Shadow Glen, NorthWest Crossing Phase 27 and Tree Farm. Chambers, a professional engineer with 22 years of experience, holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology.

AKS specializes in civil engineering, forestry, land surveying, landscape architecture, planning and arborist services. It holds more than 30 on-call contracts with public agencies in Oregon and southwest Washington. The firm expects to develop that business in Bend, according to the release.