Structural Engineering Designer

KPFF Consulting Engineers•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

KPFF is growing its structural engineering presence in Chicago, and we are looking for an early-career Structural Engineer who is excited to develop their engineering experience while helping us build what comes next. You will work alongside experienced engineers who are invested in your development, gaining hands-on experience across a variety of structural systems, project types, and phases of design. You will be closely connected to our established St. Louis Structural team while also having opportunities to contribute to the built environment in the Chicago area, and to collaborate with colleagues across KPFF. As your technical skills and experience develop, you will have opportunities to take on increasing responsibility and to play a larger role in shaping KPFF's future in Chicago. Whether you are graduating, recently graduated, or have already started your structural engineering career, we are interested in engineers who are curious, collaborative, and excited to keep learning. KPFF is an employee-owned firm where your contributions and professional growth matter. Our decentralized structure gives local teams the autonomy to make decisions close to their clients and communities, while providing access to the resources, stability, and expertise of a national organization. As we grow our presence in Chicago, you will have the opportunity to help shape a developing team, take meaningful ownership of your work, and grow with the office. We support long-term career development through mentorship, technical learning, leadership opportunities, and increasing responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline with an emphasis in structures, completed or expected prior to starting the position.
Coursework in structural engineering and design, including steel and concrete design.
Understanding of fundamental structural engineering principles.
Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate and contribute as part of a project team.
Curiosity and a desire to continue learning and developing as an engineer.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or current pursuit of a Master's degree (graduating in summer of 2027) in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in structures.
Previous internship or early-career professional experience in structural engineering or building design.
Coursework or experience in steel, concrete, wood, masonry, seismic analysis, or structural dynamics.
Familiarity with structural analysis and design software.
EIT certification or plans to pursue professional engineering licensure.

Responsibilities

Perform structural analysis and design under the guidance of experienced engineers.
Assist with the design of steel, concrete, wood, masonry, and other structural systems.
Prepare engineering calculations, drawings, and technical documentation.
Collaborate with architects, contractors, owners, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Work closely with the St. Louis Structural team and collaborate with engineers across KPFF.
Contribute to projects in Chicago, St. Louis, and across the firm, based on project needs and opportunities.
Participate in project coordination and design meetings.
Support construction administration and respond to project questions during construction.
Participate in project site visits, field observations, and structural assessments.
Develop your knowledge of applicable building codes, design standards, and industry practices.
Gain exposure to different project types, structural systems, and phases of design.
Take on increasing responsibility as your technical skills and experience grow.
Contribute to the culture and growth of KPFF's developing Chicago presence.

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Choose between a traditional Open Access Plus (OAP) medical plan or a high-deductible OAP plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health Savings Account Contribution: KPFF contributes $50 per paycheck to the HSA for employees enrolled in the eligible high-deductible medical plan
Dental and Vision Insurance: KPFF pays the employee premium for dental and vision coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts: Access to Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs for eligible pre-tax expenses
Employer-Paid Insurance: KPFF provides short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and travel accident insurance
Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources and support for employees
401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF automatically contributes 3% of your base salary, with no employee contribution required. Employer contributions are immediately vested, and employees may also make pre-tax or Roth contributions.
Paid Time Off: Vacation and personal and sick time, with vacation accrual increasing based on tenure
Paid Holidays: Company-observed holidays plus two floating holidays each year
KPFF Paid Family Leave: Up to six weeks of paid family leave per year after meeting eligibility requirements
Opportunity for Paid Overtime: Overtime is not mandatory, but employees may have opportunities to work additional hours based on project and team needs. When overtime is worked, those hours may be banked for future time off or paid out monthly.