Designer - Structural Engineering

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); United States; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

401K matching

Hybrid/flexible schedules

Paid vacation

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in the United States seeks a Senior Structural Engineer to perform structural analysis and design, preparing construction documents and coordinating with project leadership. The role emphasizes collaboration across disciplines to deliver compliant, efficient, and innovative solutions.

The candidate will mentor junior staff, advance sustainable design strategies, and ensure adherence to codes while producing timely documentation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• 4+ years in design development, analysis, documentation and detailing.
• Licensure process close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Strong initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and accuracy.
• Collaborates at project team level; evaluates ideas constructively.
• Understands site planning, structural/mechanical/electrical, and architectural practice.
• Advanced knowledge of computational and FEM tools.

Responsibilities

• Performs structural analysis and design, prepares documents.
• Solves complex problems in structural project segments.
• Generates and reviews ideas with junior engineers for drawings.
• Coordinates details and dimensions.
• Reviews documents for code compliance.
• Develops design concepts integrating planning, architecture, and systems.
• Collaborates with other disciplines under project leadership.
• Ensures documents meet program requirements.
• Confers with clients, consultants, and contractors during project stages.
• Reviews shop drawings for conformance with structural documents.
• Manages workload to meet deadlines and commitments.

Skills

Structural analysis

Collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

FEM software

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

FEM software

Structural design software

Job description

Position Responsibilities

• Performs structural engineering analysis and design and prepares design and construction documents, integrating own work and the work of others.
• Solves complex problems in connection with structural engineering segments of projects.
• Generates ideas, reviews and filters ideas generated by junior engineers in preparation of drawings and engineering design and analysis.
• Coordinates details and dimensions.
• Reviews structural engineering documents for code compliance.
• Develops portions of structural engineering design concepts incorporating planning, architectural, engineering, and other required systems.
• Participates in coordination efforts with other disciplines in collaboration with project leadership.
• Reviews structural engineering design documents for compliance with approved program requirements.
• Confers with clients, consultants, contractors, and others during various stages of project development.
• Reviews shop drawing and product submittals for general conformance with the structural engineering documents.
• Proactively handles a reasonable workload to meet project task deadlines and commitments and self‑manages own time effectively.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively supports the development of internal SOM community activities.
• Guides and encourages the development of Junior and Intermediate Professional Structural Engineers.
• Creates a supportive inclusive working environment with focus on design excellence and innovative, creative ideas.
• Assists project leaders and senior structural engineering professionals in achieving project budget, deliverables and schedule.
• Encourages incorporation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments.
• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in design development, structural analysis, documentation and detailing on a variety of projects.
• Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a task specific level.
• Actively collaborates at a project team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Effectively communicates internally through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
• Demonstrates general knowledge of site planning, civil, structural and mechanical, electrical engineering, and architectural practice.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of building codes.
• Possesses advanced knowledge of computational and FEM tools for daily use on project design.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.
• Savings: 401K matching, pre‑tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs.
• Work/Life Balance: Hybrid/Flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program.
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in‑house career development.
• Compensation: $75,000 – $90,000 based on experience, qualifications, location, and education.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.