The recent defense bill, criticized in the article for bolstering the military-industrial complex, includes line items that fund nuclear labs and production sites. Jacobs Engineering is named among companies benefiting from these allocations, linking it to state-sponsored militarism that can pave the way for authoritarian practices.

Migrant workers have filed a lawsuit against Jacobs Engineering's subsidiary, alleging forced labor, confiscation of passports, and excessively long working hours under deplorable conditions during Qatar World Cup projects. The complaint also claims that Jacobs, acting as program manager through its subsidiary CH2M Hill Cos., failed to enforce proper labor standards among contractors and subcontractors.

In October 2023, 38 Filipino construction workers filed a complaint alleging forced labor and human trafficking in World Cup stadium projects in Qatar managed by Jacobs Engineering subsidiaries. The workers claim they were subjected to inhumane working conditions, including excessive working hours, confiscated passports, and confinement in cramped, unhygienic accommodations.

Jacobs Solutions PAC, associated with Jacobs Engineering, contributed a total of $198,900 to federal candidates during the 2023-2024 election cycle, with donations split among multiple candidates from both parties, including several Republicans with authoritarian leanings.

Jacobs Engineering announced it has suspended all political contributions in response to the violence at the United States Capitol, signaling a step to reduce corporate influence in politics.