Aecom Technology Corp.’s fiscal first quarter profit rose 24 percent, and the engineering and design company raised its full year outlook because of its prospects in emerging markets.

The Los Angeles company on Tuesday reported net income of nearly $56.9 million (48 cents per share) compared with nearly $45.8 million (40 cents) a year earlier. Revenue rose 31 percent to $1.94 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected per-share profit of 48 cents on revenue of $1.93 billion.

Aecom’s backlog of projects that include highways and mass transit systems was up 55 percent to $15.5 billion as of Dec. 31. The company now expects fiscal 2011 earnings of $2.25 to $2.35 per share, up from its prior forecast of $2.20 to $2.30

“We saw strong organic-growth improvements in both revenue and backlog during the first quarter,” Chief Executive John Dionisio said in a statement, “Growth was driven primarily by Aecom’s increasing presence in high-growth, emerging markets and economies that export natural resources.”

Shares were up 17 cents, or less than a percent, to $28.87 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.