Early Career Structural (Buildings) Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement savings

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Bereavement/voting/naturalization time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Full-Time Early Career Structural (Buildings) Engineer to join our Federal Programs Team, with work out of Virginia Beach, VA or other listed locations. You will contribute to structural design, analysis, and construction-phase support on federal and public-sector projects, under mentorship.

Ideal candidates have a BS in Structural or Civil Engineering, 0–1 year of experience, and an interest in learning practical design and documentation using tools like Revit, ETABS, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural or Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• 0–1 year of relevant structural engineering experience, including internship or co-op.
• Analytical mindset with ability to research codes, standards, design criteria, and project requirements.
• Basic familiarity with structural building codes and design standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop engineering judgment through mentorship, design reviews, and cross-discipline coordination.
• Assist with structural analysis and design of new and existing buildings including gravity and lateral systems.
• Prepare structural drawings, specifications, calculations, and design documentation using site observations and project data.
• Perform routine structural calculations and use software to evaluate loads and design members and connections.
• Coordinate structural requirements with architectural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection disciplines.
• Produce complete, accurate structural calculations, drawings, and BIM models.
• Participate in site visits and construction-phase services, documenting conditions and progress.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Interpersonal communication

Self-leadership

Independent work

Technical writing

Office software

Time management

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Structural or Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Engineer-in-Training certification

Tools

RISA-3D

ETABS

SAP2000

RAM Concept

SAFE

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time Early Career Structural (Buildings) Engineer to work out of Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; Tacoma, WA; Portland, OR; or Virginia Beach, VA. This position will support our Federal Programs AEC Team on structural engineering projects for federal, defense, and public-sector clients. The role is a good fit for an early-career engineer who wants broad technical exposure, direct mentorship, and experience contributing to real projects from design through construction-phase support.

Our Federal Programs Team is comprised of highly motivated engineers, architects and interior designers with a variety of technical backgrounds working in several key locations across the US and internationally. Major clients are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. National Park Service. Our strength is derived from the diversity of our federal work and our staff.

Why Join Our Structural Team

Our structural team supports federal, defense, and public-sector clients on practical, technically meaningful facilities. The work is mission-focused, technically varied, and grounded in real operational needs, with constraints related to security, budgets, schedule, constructability, and multidisciplinary coordination.

For an early-career engineer, this role offers broad exposure to structural design, renovations, foundations, equipment support, seismic design, and other specialized project requirements, while developing engineering judgment through mentorship and hands‑on project delivery.

Your Impact

• Develop engineering judgment through mentorship, design reviews, interdisciplinary coordination, and exposure to multiple project phases.
• Assist with the structural analysis and design of new and existing buildings under the supervision of experienced engineers, including gravity and lateral systems, foundations, and steel, concrete, masonry, and wood structural components.
• Assist with developing structural drawings, specifications, calculations, and design documentation using site observations, existing‑condition information, geotechnical reports, and other project data.
• Perform routine structural calculations and use engineering software to evaluate building loads, analyze structural systems, and design members and connections in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and project criteria.
• Assist with developing structural design concepts, selecting appropriate structural systems and materials, and coordinating structural requirements with architectural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection disciplines.
• Prepare complete, accurate, and concise structural calculations, design drawings, specifications, reports, and building information models using applicable engineering and drafting software.
• Participate in site visits and construction‑phase services, including documenting existing conditions and construction progress, reviewing submittals, and assisting with responses to requests for information, while complying with applicable safety requirements and site‑specific procedures.
• Complete required company, safety, and project‑specific training.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, or equivalent.
• 0 to 1 year of relevant structural engineering experience, including internship or co‑op.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to research codes, standards, design criteria, and project requirements.
• Basic familiarity with structural building codes and design standards.
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non‑engineering audience.
• Proficient self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
• Basic familiarity with structural analysis, design, drafting, or modeling software such as RISA‑3D, ETABS, SAP2000, RAM Concept, SAFE, Revit, or AutoCAD.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.
• The selected candidate must have the ability to work in the United States immediately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, or equivalent.
• Engineer‑in‑Training certification, or ability to obtain within a reasonable period after hire.
• Prior internship related to the degree of study and the specific engineering discipline.
• A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.

WSP Benefits

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• retirement savings
• paid sick leave
• paid vacation (or other personal time)
• paid parental leave
• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations except for Colorado): $63,800 - $100,000

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $68,200 - $93,800

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.