Lead Structural Engineer 1 - Energy & Industrial Group

Sargent & Lundy•Aurora, CO

17h•$118,023 - $180,313•Hybrid

About The Position

This position offers the opportunity to apply expertise in materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to create cost-effective solutions for new and existing designs. The role involves working on modifications and upgrades for power plants, oil & gas facilities, and industrial facilities, including creating calculations, design documents, and specifications. Responsibilities include conducting complex structural analyses for loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization. As a structural lead, you will guide junior engineers and designers, coordinate detailed design phases, and troubleshoot structural engineering issues. The role utilizes state-of-the-art computer tools for structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations. Key tasks include developing integrated structural designs, performing supporting calculations, preparing technical specifications for structural materials, and conducting engineering studies. Independent reviews of calculations and drawings are also part of the role. Coordination with other engineers, project managers, clients, and suppliers is essential to ensure timely and complete designs. The position involves reviewing existing facilities for upgrades and replacements, presenting findings to clients and peers, and performing on-site structural condition assessments. Career development is supported through peer learning and mentorship. Client interaction may involve travel for design reviews, condition assessments, construction coordination, and field verification. This position is based on a hybrid work schedule, requiring three days per week in the office.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Master's in Civil Engineering preferred) with structural engineering emphasis from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
Eight or more years of working as a member of a project team environment in the design of non-commercial, heavy industrial plants or oil & gas plants, with a focus on the analysis of steel structures, concrete foundations and supports for new plants or modifications or replacements for existing plants.
Experience must include the selection of structural materials and the review and preparation of specifications.
PE license required.
Experience in writing and providing support documentation for structural engineering calculations.
Technically knowledgeable of the practical application of structural engineering including analysis for structural supports, loads, and design integrity.
Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.
Proficiency with any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, RISA, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.
Proficiency with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.
Proficiency with MS Office applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Willing or able to lead others who use modern tools: automation and AI.

Nice To Haves

Additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
Experience overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.

Responsibilities

Apply experience and knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to support creative, cost-effective solutions for existing and new designs.
Work on power plant, oil & gas, and industrial facility modifications and upgrades, including creating calculations, design documents, and specifications.
Conduct structural analyses, including complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.
Guide junior-level engineers and designers in structural engineering design efforts.
Provide guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of structural engineering work.
Investigate, troubleshoot, and solve a wide variety of structural engineering issues.
Perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations using state-of-the-art computer tools.
Develop integrated structural designs and perform supporting calculations for planned work.
Prepare technical specifications for structural materials.
Prepare engineering studies.
Perform independent reviews of work performed by others, including calculations and drawing preparation.
Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
Perform on-site structural condition assessments and recommendations for repair/modification of existing structures.
Develop career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers.
Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
Client interface will likely include travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for condition assessments, construction coordination and field verification of designs.
Lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.