Entry-Level Civil/Structural Engineer - Concrete Materials (Northbrook, IL)

01 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) seeks an entry-level Associate to join the Janney Technical Center (JTC) team in Northbrook, Illinois. You will work with materials engineering and structural testing groups on concrete durability and corrosion-related challenges.

The role involves hands-on forensic investigations, material testing, and collaboration with scientists to develop repair strategies, with opportunities for growth and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in concrete materials durability, including deterioration, repair, or retrofit (coursework, research, or internships).
• Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work in lab and field and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on forensic investigations and condition assessments of structures.
• Participate in development and testing of novel cementitious-based materials and test batching.
• Coordinate and/or execute laboratory testing of material samples from the field.
• Test durability properties of concrete materials and interpret test data with scientists and technicians.
• Model and analyze future structure conditions using proprietary service life modeling software.
• Analyze data and review construction documents, codes, and guidelines for analysis and repair design.
• Assist with client deliverables including drawings, specifications, reports, and presentations.
• Conduct in-house R&D to support concrete materials and durability practice.
• Design repair schemes applying repair materials, strengthening, or mitigation strategies.
• Train and progressively take responsibility for project components under licensed professionals.

Skills

Concrete materials durability

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree or higher in related engineering field

Job description

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is looking for an entry‑level Associate interested in solving problems in the built world related to concrete materials (with an emphasis on durability, including corrosion of reinforced concrete elements) as part of our Janney Technical Center (JTC) team.

In this role, you'll work alongside our Materials Engineering, Materials Science, and Structural Testing groups in the JTC laboratories in Northbrook, Illinois.

Named for WJE founder Jack Janney, the JTC brings together engineers and materials scientists to provide advanced testing and forensic expertise for some of the most technically demanding challenges in structures, construction materials, and manufactured components.

Over more than sixty years and 175,000+ assignments, our JTC team has tackled investigative, testing, and repair projects spanning nearly every construction material, structural system, and architectural component imaginable.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands‑on forensic investigations and condition assessments of structures to evaluate problematic conditions, including survey and documentation of distress, non‑destructive testing, and material sampling.
• Participate in the development and testing of novel cementitious‑based materials, including a hands‑on role in the batching and testing of material properties.
• Coordinate and/or execute laboratory testing of material samples collected from the field.
• Frequently perform testing of the durability properties of batched or sampled concrete materials and collaborate with WJE’s material scientists and technicians to interpret test data, including chemical and petrographic analyses.
• Model and analyze the future condition of structures, including use of WJE CASLE, our proprietary service life modeling software.
• Analyze data and research modern and historic construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem‑solving, and repair design.
• Assist with preparation of client deliverables, including construction drawings, specifications, written reports, and presentations.
• Perform in‑house research and development in support of WJE’s growing concrete materials and durability practice.
• Design repair schemes, including application of repair materials, strengthening, or implementation of mitigation strategies such as protective barriers or cathodic protection systems.
• Train on the skills and tasks above and progressively take responsibility for key project components, working under the direction of licensed professionals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in related engineering field (civil, structural, construction materials, or materials science), with excellent academic performance.
• Hands‑on experience in concrete materials durability, including materials deterioration, repair and retrofit, concrete chemistry, corrosion chemistry, service life modeling and/or cathodic protection through coursework, research, or past internships is a plus.
• Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive team player willing to take on various responsibilities and work independently.
• Ability to prioritize among multiple concurrent tasks and adapt to changing demands while maintaining a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to work in the laboratory and in the field, including travel outside the local area as needed, depending on workload and project locations.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires visual acuity and listening ability.
• Individuals must have the dexterity to be able to operate office and field equipment such as computers, printers, fax, copier, telephone, voice mail system, and other office and field equipment.
• Ability to attend meetings at various office, field, and construction sites.
• Ability to perform inspections of buildings and other structures, both visually and with instruments.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform work in the temperature extremes presented by work in the outdoors.
• Ability to read construction drawings, diagrams, printed materials, and computer screens.
• Ability to record data clearly and write passages for reports, letters, etc.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to safely work at heights.
• Ability to safely use and/or operate ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other access equipment.
• Ability to understand and appreciate safety training specific to numerous workplace and construction hazards.
• Ability to safely work in a variety of occupationally hazardous locations.
• Medically fit to utilize respiratory protection devices and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment.
• Ability to drive and safely operate a motor vehicle.

Culture, Compensation, and Benefits

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is a global firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists. Clients worldwide seek our expertise to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems in the built world. Our applied experience from more than 200,000 projects combined with unparalleled laboratory and testing capabilities have made WJE a leader in providing innovative yet practical solutions to the clients we serve.

Working at WJE is a team endeavor characterized by a culture of trust and personal responsibility. We encourage open communication, continuous learning, innovative thinking, ongoing mentoring, and free‑flowing collaboration. We seek highly talented and hard‑working individuals who want to be challenged, who want hands‑on work, who want to set a higher standard, and who want to be mentored by the industry’s most accomplished experts. People with outstanding Character, unwavering Commitment to our core and culture, strong Expertise, and genuine Enthusiasm for their work.

Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at www.wje.com/careers

WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry-leading benefits: Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity. Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above‑market total compensation.

• Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high‑deductible PPO options.
• Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately.
• Time off to care for yourself and others.
• Investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development.
• Learn more about WJE’s total rewards package here.

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.

Founded in 1956, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is an interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. Supported by unparalleled laboratory and field-testing capabilities, our experts draw on more than seventy years of experience to deliver innovative and practical solutions grounded in deep technical expertise.