Structural Engineer – Protective Design

KPFF Consulting Engineers•Portland, OR

34d•$80,000 - $95,000

About The Position

KPFF Consulting Engineers is seeking an early-career Structural Engineer to join its specialized Protective Design team working across San Francisco and Portland. The engineer will help improve the safety and resilience of buildings and critical infrastructure by assessing how structures respond to extreme events, including intentional threats and accidental hazards, and developing practical solutions to reduce risk and protect people. The role applies structural engineering fundamentals while developing expertise in protective design, including blast effects and design, structural dynamics, progressive collapse, and hostile vehicle mitigation. Project work may include structural analysis, computational modeling, design development, technical calculations, coordination with multidisciplinary teams, and support during design and construction. The position offers early-career engineers mentorship and gradually increasing technical responsibility on projects across aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial facilities, and other complex or mission-critical environments.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering, or a closely related graduate program with a strong structural engineering emphasis.
Strong foundation in structural engineering principles, analysis, and mechanics.
Coursework, research, internship, or professional experience related to structural dynamics, blast engineering, progressive collapse, extreme loading, or nonlinear analysis.
Curiosity and an analytical mindset, with an interest in how structures behave beyond conventional design conditions.
Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and work effectively with engineers, architects, contractors, consultants, and other project partners.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience with structural analysis programs such as ETABS, SAP2000, RISA-3D, or LS-DYNA.
Experience with BIM and drafting tools such as Revit or AutoCAD.
Computational modeling or programming experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
Academic research, coursework, internship, or professional experience in advanced structural analysis, finite element analysis, nonlinear analysis, or structural dynamics.

Responsibilities

Perform structural analysis, computational modeling, design development, and technical calculations for protective design projects.
Contribute to engineering solutions addressing blast effects, structural dynamics, progressive collapse, hostile vehicle mitigation, and other extreme loading conditions.
Coordinate with structural engineers and multidisciplinary project partners, including architects, contractors, consultants, and clients.
Support projects during design and construction.
Develop protective design expertise and take on increasing technical responsibility through project-based work and mentorship.

Benefits

Choice of Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA medical plans, including preventive care and prescription coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
Dental and vision coverage.
Employee Assistance Program with free, confidential resources for personal, family, and work-related needs.
Company-provided life insurance equal to one year’s salary, plus AD&D coverage.
401(k) plan with a company contribution of 3% of salary and no employee match required.
Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage at 60% of income.
Generous paid time off, two floating holidays, and paid company holidays.
Six weeks of paid family leave at 60% pay, with the option to supplement income using available PTO.
Performance-based bonuses.
Mentorship, technical training, professional development, and KPFF’s Forefront Education Program.