Senior Structural Engineer FEM

Arcadis; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 annual leave days

NS Business Card for public transport

Paid parental leave

Home office allowance

Pension scheme through HNPF

Access to Arcadis Learning Experience Platform

Job summary

Arcadis, located in Rotterdam, is seeking a Structural Engineer specializing in High-end Structural Engineering. You will analyze, model, and assess complex structural challenges using the finite element method (FEM), providing analyses that support design decisions.

This role offers a chance to influence safe and cost-effective design choices while contributing to innovative projects within a multidisciplinary team. With a focus on quality, you will produce transparent and technically robust work while engaging with clients.

Qualifications

• Strong theoretical foundation in structural mechanics and material behaviour.
• Hands-on experience with advanced analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Setup, execute, and review advanced FEM analyses for complex structural challenges.
• Translate analysis outcomes into recommendations and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with other disciplines and project teams.

Skills

Finite Element Modelling

Structural Analysis

Civil Engineering

Numerical Analysis

Education

MSc or BSc in Civil Engineering

Tools

Specialised FEM software

Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together. As a globally connected People function, Arcadians will experience an improved Quality of Life in us being human-centered and inclusive in everything we do. We will – in true partnership with the business - drive a high-performance culture. The People function will support Arcadians in developing relevant (digital) capabilities that will enable Arcadis to deliver in the best possible way. Together we will build a sustainable future for Arcadis.

Role Description

The structural engineer we are looking for is a specialist in High-end Structural Engineering, focused on analysing, modelling and assessing complex structural challenges using the finite element method (FEM). In this role, you combine in-depth structural expertise with advanced numerical modelling skills and the ability to interpret sophisticated analysis results. You provide well-substantiated analyses that support design decisions, risk assessments and safety or damage-related challenges for complex infrastructure and building structures, such as bridges and tunnels. You work in multidisciplinary teams and act as a technical sparring partner for colleagues and project teams. The purpose of this role is to deliver high-quality analyses for challenges that cannot be addressed using conventional methods. In doing so, you directly contribute to safe, buildable and cost-effective design choices, while strengthening Arcadis’ expertise and position in complex projects.

Role Accountabilities

• Independently set up, execute and review advanced FEM analyses for complex structural challenges. Define the appropriate modelling approach, make well-considered choices regarding assumptions and boundary conditions, and ensure models are technically sound and reproducible.
• Analyse outcomes and translate them into clear recommendations, risk assessments and well-substantiated decisions within projects. Contribute directly to design and verification processes and be involved in specialised topics such as re-calculations and structural assessments.
• Safeguard the quality of work, ensuring analyses and reports are transparent, traceable and technically robust. Collaborate closely with other disciplines and play an active role in aligning with project teams.
• Engage directly with clients and other stakeholders, clearly explain complex analyses, underlying assumptions and outcomes, and translate technical insights into understandable and actionable information for the wider project environment.
• Support and coach junior and mid-level colleagues in their development and contribute to knowledge building and innovation within the field, helping to further strengthen the team’s technical expertise and position.

Qualifications & Experience

• MSc or BSc degree in Civil Engineering or a comparable discipline
• Demonstrated experience with advanced structural analyses and finite element modelling
• Strong theoretical foundation in structural mechanics, material behaviour, stability, dynamics and numerical analysis
• Hands‑on experience with specialised FEM software and advanced analysis tools
• Ability to translate complex technical analyses into clear, well‑substantiated reports and actionable recommendations
• Experience within infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels or similar structures is considered a strong advantage
• Experience working in environments where advanced analyses directly support design decisions, re‑calculations and structural assessments is preferred

Benefits

• 30 annual leave days based on a full‑time contract, with the option to purchase or sell additional days
• Free private use of an NS Business Card, providing access to public transport and other mobility services across the Netherlands
• Additional arrangements for partner leave following childbirth and paid parental leave
• The possibility to work in a hybrid setup, supported by a home office allowance and a professionally equipped home workspace
• A solid pension scheme through the Dutch Pension Fund (HNPF), with Arcadis covering the majority of the contribution
• Plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development, including access to the extensive Arcadis Learning Experience Platform (LXP)

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day, which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.