Associate Structural Engineer

Thornton Tomasetti; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 720,000 - 880,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D

Commuter transit benefits

401k with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Fitness Reimbursement

Diversity and inclusion programs

Job summary

Thornton Tomasetti in San Francisco seeks an Associate in our Structural Practice to guide complex building designs, lead teams, deepen client relationships, and influence firm strategy. You’ll combine advanced engineering with growing ownership of business results to shape project delivery and client outcomes.

You will mentor teams, expand your client-facing presence, and play a critical role in expanding our services across markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure.
• 8+ years of structural engineering experience with depth in new building design (steel, concrete, timber, seismic, tall buildings).
• Drive project delivery and lead teams, partnering with clients while leveraging technical expertise.
• Leadership that inspires others through mentoring, empowerment, and effective communication, expanding client-facing presence.

Responsibilities

• Tackle complex, high-impact building projects with your technical judgment.
• Lead project delivery end-to-end, steer design, manage teams, and drive decisions with autonomy.
• Be the expert clients rely on, providing clear guidance on advanced structural challenges.
• Grow and mentor a high-performing team and develop future leaders.
• Expand client relationships and position Thornton Tomasetti for new opportunities and markets.
• Influence firm strategy by connecting clients to full-service capabilities.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client-facing communication

Technical depth in structural eng

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural/Architectural Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career. Our Structural Engineering practice collaborates with architects, building owners, and builders to design elegant solutions for projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. From designing the world’s tallest buildings and most extended spans to engineering inventive “jewel-box” structures and designing major expansion projects, we continually seek the best balance among the demands of form, function, sustainability, constructability, schedule, and budget.

Your Role

As an Associate in our Structural Practice, you'll guide complex building designs, lead teams, deepen client relationships, and expand your influence across the firm. At this level, you'll pair advanced engineering expertise with growing ownership of business results, helping shape strategy, strengthen client partnerships, and elevate project delivery. This is your opportunity to make a bigger impact and accelerate your path toward firm leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Tackle complex, high-impact building projects where your technical judgment directly shapes outcomes.
• Lead project delivery end-to-end, steering design, managing teams, and driving decisions with real autonomy.
• Be the expert clients rely on, providing clear, confident guidance on advanced structural challenges.
• Grow and mentor a high-performing team, raising the technical bar and developing future leaders.
• Expand client relationships and help position Thornton Tomasetti for new opportunities and markets.
• Influence firm strategy by connecting clients to our full-service capabilities and identifying where we should grow next.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure.
• 8+ years of structural engineering experience with demonstrated technical depth in new building design, including steel, concrete, timber, seismic design, tall buildings, and specialty structures.
• Drive project delivery and lead teams, partnering with clients while leveraging strong technical expertise to solve complex challenges and shape project strategy and priorities.
• Leadership that inspires others through mentoring, empowerment, and effective communication, while expanding your client-facing presence.

Compensation

The rate for this position generally is $1,000 - $800,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the California Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful California applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in California or perform the position from California. Similar positions located outside of California will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by California Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&DD, Disability and other voluntary benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Transit (where available)
• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
• Fitness Reimbursement
• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.