Lead Structural Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group

Sargent & Lundy • Chicago, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Structural Engineer supports structural engineering design for power plant and industrial facility modifications, upgrades, and new designs. The role applies expertise in materials, structural analysis, structural steel, and reinforced concrete to develop cost-effective solutions. Work includes analyzing complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization; designing steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations; and preparing calculations, design documents, and specifications.

The position leads structural engineering design efforts, provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers, coordinates detailed design work, and independently reviews calculations and drawings. It also involves investigating structural issues, assessing existing facilities, recommending upgrades or repairs, and presenting findings to clients and peers. Client interaction may include travel to client and vendor offices and plant sites for design reviews, condition assessments, construction coordination, and field verification. The role follows a hybrid schedule requiring in-office work three days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a structural engineering emphasis from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
• At least 15 years of experience as a member of a project team designing non-commercial heavy industrial plants, focused on analysis of steel structures, concrete foundations, and supports for new plants or existing-plant modifications or replacements.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience selecting structural materials and reviewing and preparing specifications.
• Experience writing structural engineering calculations and supporting documentation.
• Technical knowledge of practical structural engineering applications, including structural supports, loads, and design integrity.
• Experience with design techniques, tools, and principles used to produce technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.
• Proficiency with at least one of MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.
• Familiarity with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; the employer does not sponsor work authorization for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Construction and start-up experience.
• Commissioning experience.
• Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies relevant to the role; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise in materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to develop cost-effective solutions for new designs and facility modifications.
• Support power plant and industrial facility modifications and upgrades by preparing calculations, design documents, and specifications.
• Conduct structural analyses for complex loading conditions, including wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.
• Lead structural engineering design efforts and guide junior engineers and designers, including coordination of detailed design phases.
• Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve a variety of structural engineering issues.
• Perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations using computer tools.
• Develop integrated structural designs and supporting calculations for planned work.
• Prepare technical specifications for structural materials and engineering studies.
• Independently review work performed by others, including calculations and drawing preparation.
• Coordinate with and provide guidance to engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure complete and timely design.
• Review existing facilities and propose upgrades or replacements; present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
• Conduct on-site structural condition assessments and recommend repairs or modifications for degraded or repurposed structures.
• Share knowledge with experienced engineers through the company’s process systems and Communities of Practice.
• Mentor and support the development of less experienced engineers.
• Travel as needed to client and vendor offices and plant sites for design reviews, condition assessments, construction coordination, and field verification of designs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health plans.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Back-up daycare.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
• 401(k).
• Pre-tax commuter account.
• Merit scholarship program.
• Employee discount program.
• Corporate charitable giving program.
• Tuition assistance.
• First Professional Licensure Bonus.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Paid annual personal/sick time.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid bereavement leave.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Potential eligibility to participate in a yearly discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior