Principal Structural Engineer - Transmission Lines

Mesa Associates•Chattanooga, TN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mesa Associates, Inc. is seeking a Principal Transmission Structural Engineer with advanced expertise in the analysis, design, evaluation, and modification of transmission poles, towers, and foundations. This role requires mastery of both historical and modern materials, including legacy wood species, historic steel grades, early concrete mixes, and today’s high-strength steels, composites, and advanced foundation systems. You will serve as a senior technical authority, guiding complex structural work, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the highest standards of quality, reliability, and safety across transmission projects.

Requirements

Structural Engineer (SE) License in California and Illinois (required).
Four-year ABET engineering degree (Civil or Structural strongly preferred).
12–15+ years of progressively responsible transmission structural experience.
Demonstrated expertise in transmission poles, towers, and foundation engineering.
Deep understanding of historical and current transmission materials, including wood, steel, composites, and legacy foundation systems.
Proficiency with PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, L-Pile, MFAD, and other structural/foundation analysis tools.
Strong understanding of: ASCE 48 – Steel transmission pole structures; ASCE 10 – Lattice steel transmission structures; ASCE 7 – Environmental loads and load combinations; ASCE 11 – Steel transmission structures (historic and modern); NESC – Transmission line loading and safety; TIA-222 – Antenna supporting structures and attachments; MOP-74 – Transmission structure loading and reliability; MOP-160 – Wood pole behavior and inspection; MOP-161 – Steel pole behavior and inspection; Applicable state structural codes.

Nice To Haves

SE licensure in additional states requiring SE for transmission structural work (preferred).
Knowledge of additional Design Software: STAAD Pro, RISA 3D, AutoCad, Inventor, Solidworks.
Manual Calculation Packages: (Excel, MathCad)
Knowledge of Ensoft Suite, FAD Tools Suite.
Familiarity with ASCE 113 for substation structures.
Experience with wildfire hardening, resiliency programs, and emergency response engineering.
Desire to shape a growing practice and leave a lasting technical legacy.

Responsibilities

Lead structural analysis and design of steel poles, wood poles, lattice towers, guyed towers, and specialty structures.
Apply deep knowledge of historic and current materials, including: Legacy wood species, preservative treatments, and degradation patterns; Historic steel grades, fabrication methods, weld types, and corrosion behavior; Modern high-strength steels, weathering steels, composite poles, and advanced coatings.
Evaluate existing structures for upgrades, reconductoring, hardening, clearance improvements, and joint-use attachments.
Perform advanced loading evaluations using NESC, ASCE 7, ASCE 48, ASCE 10, and utility-specific criteria.
Conduct structural modeling using PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER, and related tools.
Review and approve structural packages prepared by others.
Design of bridges, access roads, and impacts of other underground utilities.
Engineer drilled shafts, spread footings, rock anchors, micropiles, and hybrid foundation systems.
Apply expert understanding of historic foundation materials and construction methods, including early concrete mixes, legacy reinforcement practices, and timber foundations.
Design modern foundation systems using high-performance concrete, composite reinforcement, and advanced anchoring technologies.
Review and approve foundation packages for accuracy, compliance, and constructability.
Design of retaining wall structures to mitigate soil erosion/stabilization.
Serve as Engineer of Record for transmission structural and foundation packages across multiple states.
Lead and mentor Senior Engineers, Engineers, and Engineering Associates.
Establish and enforce structural QA/QC standards, calculation templates, and design methodologies.
Identify quality issues, technical risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Provide field support for construction issues and resolve concerns promptly.
Opportunities to present at industry conferences and publish white papers.
Present structural solutions to clients and stakeholders.
Support project managers with scope development, schedule planning, and budget alignment.
Participate in technical discussions, design reviews, and project strategy meetings.