Two L.A.-area companies have added a reason to smile over the holiday season.

Thousand Oaks pharmaceutical giant Amgen Inc. and Pasadena engineering and construction company Parsons Corp. have cracked the list of 50 happiest U.S. companies, according to Irvine job-search site CareerBliss.

“We’re celebrating today,” said Debra Fiori, corporate vice president of talent management at Parsons, which ranked 12th. “The fact that we have created a work environment where employees are excited about their work is really positive news.”

Amgen, which develops drugs used by patients undergoing chemotherapy, ranked No. 2. Company executives were not available for comment last week.

The two companies were among thousands of businesses that submitted online surveys for consideration for the list, which was released last month. The surveys, completed by current and former employees of each firm, evaluated 10 key factors that make people happy at work, including office environment, compensation and growth opportunities.

Fiori said the recognition would help attract the best and brightest.

“We want potential candidates to understand that our company is a great place to work,” she said.

Heidi Golledge, founder and chief happiness officer at CareerBliss, said understanding what makes people enjoy their jobs is important for employers and employees alike.

“At CareerBliss, we help people choose happy with information and resources that can help guide one’s career path at all points in their career,” she said.

– Olga Grigoryants