Lead Structural Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent Lundy; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 118,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy in Knoxville is seeking a Project Lead Structural Engineer to guide a team of structural engineers on challenging industrial/heavy commercial projects. The role combines client interface with multidisciplinary coordination and project management responsibilities in a hybrid work setting.

You will apply expertise in steel and concrete design, perform design calculations, review deliverables, mentor staff, and travel to client sites for reviews and construction coordination as

Qualifications

• BSCE with ABET-accredited program and 10+ years of project-team experience.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software (STAAD, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, ANSYS).
• Knowledge of design codes ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead a team and interface with clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of structural engineers on diverse projects.
• Interface with clients and other disciplines to coordinate design work.
• Direct preparation and review of design calculations, reports and deliverables.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Education

ABET-accredited BSCE

MSCE degree

PE or SE license

Tools

STAAD

SAP2000

SAFE

STRUDL

ANSYS

Job description

Description

This role will offer a hybrid work arrangement from our future Knoxville office. The expectation will be to spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.

This is a Project Lead Structural Engineer position that offers a variety of interesting and challenging opportunities in structural engineering and will provide an excellent opportunity to advance your career. In this position you will guide a team of structural engineers, interface with clients and engineers from other disciplines as well as manage a variety of exciting projects. This position will enable you to:

• Apply your knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design in the successful execution of assigned tasks
• Work on a wide range of projects for various clients and interface with them as required
• Direct the preparation and review of design calculations, specifications, reports and other deliverables and support designers with drawing development.
• Supervise and mentor others in the development of quality engineering deliverables
• Perform the structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, and foundations using our state-of-the-art computer tools
• Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• BSCE with emphasis in Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
• Ten or more years of experience working as a member of a project team in the design and analysis of industrial / heavy commercial or nuclear facility structures
• Proficiency with structural analysis software such as STAAD, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS
• Proficiency with design codes and standards such as ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Valued, but Not Required:

• MSCE degree
• On-siteconstruction support experience
• PE or SE license

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

• You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
• Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$118,023 - $180,313

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.