Associate Structural Engineer

ISAWWA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is seeking an Associate Structural Engineer to design steel, wood, and reinforced concrete structures under general supervision. The role may supervise junior engineers and sub-professional staff.

The position requires a civil/structural engineering degree and two years of related work. Registration as a PE is welcomed; foreign-education applicants must have credentials evaluated per NCEES/CPEES guidelines.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in civil or structural engineering.
• Two years of full-time, post-degree structural engineering experience related to the District's activities.
• Foreign-educated applicants must have proper evaluation or an ABET-equivalent degree.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, performs ordinary structural engineering work for steel, wood and reinforced concrete structures.
• May supervise subordinate engineers and sub-professional personnel.

Skills

Structural analysis

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in structural engineering

Professional Engineer license accepted (IL or other state)

Tools

STAAD

AutoCAD

Excel

Job description

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Associate Structural Engineer
Recruitment #26-20003952-002

Date Opened: 9/25/2026 12:00:00 AM
Close Date: 10/9/2026 11:59:00 PM
Qualification Date: October 9, 2026
Job Type: Original Entrance
Salary: Starting Annual Salary (TAM 15): $96,088.20

Duties: Under general supervision, performs ordinary structural engineering work in connection with the design of steel, wood and reinforced concrete structures. May supervise subordinate engineers and sub-professional personnel.

Salary/Pay Plans
The salary listed above is Step 1 in a structured pay plan. At 6 months of employment with the District, the salary will increase to Step 2: $102,373.96. At 18 months, the salary will increase to Step 3: $108,660.50. There are 9 total steps for TAM 15 of the pay plan (view full pay plan). These increases are based on service time in the job classification and require a 'Meets Standard' performance rating.

Original Entrance - Examination

Minimum Requirements: Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in civil or structural engineering and two years of full-time, post-degree structural engineering experience related to the District's activities. Substitution: Full-time graduate study in structural engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

A bachelor's degree in structural engineering is interpreted to mean a four-year program which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Effective October 31, 2006, foreign educated applicants must produce a satisfactory assessment of their academic qualifications by the Center for Professional Engineering Education Services (CPEES), a unit of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), or present an undergraduate degree from a school that is recognized by the Washington Accord. Prior to October 31, 2006, assessment by the Engineering Credentials Evaluation International (ECEI) was deemed qualifying. The NCEES assessment and any additional coursework used to correct deficiencies must be completed by the qualification date. Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois or another state will be accepted in lieu of an assessment for foreign-educated applicants.

Examination: The examination will consist of a written test weighted 100%. The minimum passing score on the written test will be 70% unless determined otherwise by the Director of Human Resources. Candidates must achieve a passing score to have their names placed on the eligible list.

The written test will assess candidates' knowledge, skill and ability in areas such as principles and practices of structural engineering design for steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, and timber structures, foundation design, and geotechnical engineering; building and design codes and standards; field methods for assessment practices for repair and reinforcement of steel, concrete, masonry, and timber structures; contract administration practices including preparing and reviewing project cost estimates, change orders, contract specifications and drawings, contractor submittals and RFIs; structural analysis software STAAD and AutoCAD and proficiency in Excel; and written communication.

Examination Process: All applicants will be advised by email if they have been admitted to the examination process. Applicants who do not receive a response to their application by Friday, Friday, October 16, 2026 should contact the Employee Selection Office at [phone].

WRITTEN TEST: The written test will be administered on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the MWRD Main Office, 100 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

Candidates should report at 9:00 a.m. with the approved (printed) admission letter and driver's license or other form of photo identification. Calculators will be provided. The use of books, study guides, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops or other aids during the test is prohibited.

Original Entrance - Appointments

Appointments will be made from an eligible list with three categories: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) and C (Qualified). Candidates in the highest category will be given first consideration for appointment. This examination is also being given on a Promotional basis. In instances where both Original Entrance and Promotional eligible lists result from an examination process, it is the District's practice to appoint only from the Promotional eligible list until all names from that list have been considered. The eligible list has a duration of three years. Appointment is subject to successfully passing a physical examination, a drug test and a criminal history background investigation.