Entry-Level Protective Design Engineer

Kpff Consulting Engineers • San Francisco, CA

32d • $80,000 - $95,000

About The Position

As a Protective Design Engineer at KPFF, you'll join a specialized team with members in San Francisco and Portland dedicated to designing resilient structures that safeguard people and critical infrastructure. You'll contribute to projects that address both intentional threats and accidental events, developing expertise in areas such as blast engineering, progressive collapse prevention, and hostile vehicle mitigation. For structural engineers eager to apply their skills in both traditional and non-traditional contexts, this position offers the chance to take on impactful projects that strengthen safety and resilience across industries. What Makes This Role Unique: Engage in analytical, design-focused projects that strengthen your technical expertise and problem-solving skills.Take on complex challenges that call for creativity, innovation, and customized solutions.Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams where your ideas and contributions directly influence project outcomes.Contribute to impactful projects across industries including aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.

Requirements

• A master's degree in Structural Engineering, or a closely related program with structural emphasis, is required.
• Experience, coursework, or internship exposure to areas such as blast engineering, structural dynamics, progressive collapse, or non-linear analysis.
• Familiarity with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP2000, RISA-3D; LS-DYNA) is a plus.
• Experience with BIM tools like Revit or AutoCAD is helpful.
• Computational modeling/programing (MATLAB, Python or similar) are advantageous.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to approach complex problems with creativity and analytical thinking.
• Strong written and verbal skills to work effectively with diverse teams of engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Benefits

• Medical Plan Options: Choice of Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA, covering preventive care and prescriptions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Tax-advantaged accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Dental & Vision: Full preventive care, plus coverage for major dental services and vision allowances.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential support for personal, family, and work challenges.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Company-provided life insurance equal to one year's salary, plus AD&D.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF contributes 3% of salary, with no match needed.
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term coverage at 60% income, fully covered by KPFF.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, two floating holidays, and paid company holidays.
• Paid Family Leave: Six weeks at 60% pay, with options to use PTO for full income.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees