Junior Structural Designer: Seismic & Steel Design

Degenkolb Engineers; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and life insurance

Commuter benefits

401(k) with company profit-sharing

Employee ownership through stock plan

Professional development support

Paid time off and parental leave

Job summary

Degenkolb Engineers seeks an entry-level Structural Engineer/Designer to contribute to planning, analysis, and design of structural projects under seasoned engineers and project managers.

You will engage in analyses, contract documents, and deliverables, with exposure to client interactions, site visits, and multidisciplinary project teams. A strong foundation is built through mentorship and structured professional development.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in structural engineering strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s in civil engineering with 1–2 years of highly technical structural design experience will be considered.
• Core technical proficiency demonstrated via advanced coursework or professional project experience in steel design, reinforced concrete design, structural analysis, and earthquake engineering.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.40 or higher; strong graduate coursework performance where applicable.
• Current authorization to work in the United States for any employer.

Responsibilities

• Structural Analysis & Design: Perform structural analysis and design tasks under the guidance of licensed engineers. Apply engineering principles and sound engineering judgment to develop safe, effective structural solutions and contract deliverables that meet the governing building codes.
• Project Delivery & Quality: Produce accurate, organized, and high-quality work that reflects Degenkolb's standards. Build an understanding of project objectives, scope, budget, and schedule; manage assigned work; and communicate progress, questions, and potential issues early.
• Client & Team Collaboration: Build trusted relationships with project teams and clients by participating in meetings, supporting client communications, preparing technical documentation, and communicating clearly and professionally in writing and conversation.
• Project Site Experience: Participate in site visits with experienced engineers to observe existing conditions and construction activities, document field observations, and connect design decisions with how structures are built and perform in the real world.
• Professional Growth & Development: Expand your technical knowledge and professional skills through project experience, mentorship, feedback, purposeful learning, challenging assignments, and participation in professional organizations while progressing toward PE licensure.
• Ownership & Contribution: Take responsibility for your commitments, seek context when needed, share ideas, and contribute to the collective success of your project teams, office, and firm.

Skills

FE exam (Passing)

Professional communication

Education

Master's degree in structural engineering

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering + 1-2 years experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Tekla

RISA

RAM

Revit

Excel

Mathcad

SAP2000

ETABS

Python

Job description

Degenkolb Engineers seeks an entry-level Structural Engineer/Designer to contribute to planning, analysis, and design of structural projects under seasoned engineers and project managers.

You will engage in analyses, contract documents, and deliverables, with exposure to client interactions, site visits, and multidisciplinary project teams. A strong foundation is built through mentorship and structured professional development.