Lead Structural Engineer - Bridges

Mannik Smith Group; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fehr Graham, a growing Midwest engineering and environmental consulting firm, seeks a Lead Structural Engineer to join the transportation and structural engineering practice in Aurora, IL. Lead design, inspection, and rehabilitation of bridge projects, mentor staff, and support strategic growth.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on expanding services across markets and ensuring high-quality project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• 7+ years in bridge and structural design.
• PE or SE licensure, with ability to obtain in IL/IA/WI.
• Experience designing steel and reinforced concrete structures.
• Strong knowledge of bridge inspection methods and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead bridge inspection, analysis, rehabilitation, and design projects.
• Prepare structural calculations, plans, specifications, and construction documents.
• Provide technical leadership and QA for structural projects.
• Grow, mentor, and develop the structural engineering team.
• Collaborate with transportation, civil, and environmental teams.
• Support business development and client relationships.
• Ensure compliance with DOT standards and design codes.
• Serve as technical resource for bridges and related structures.

Skills

Team leadership

Bridge design

Mentoring

Project management

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor's in Civil/Structural Eng

PE/SE licensure

Tools

AutoCAD

ETABS/SAP2000

Excel

Job description

Lead Structural Engineer - Bridges

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Aurora, IL

Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year

Description

About the Opportunity:

Fehr Graham, a growing Midwest engineering and environmental consulting firm, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Lead Structural Engineer to join our expanding transportation and structural engineering practice.

We are looking for a leader who can help shape the future of our structural engineering team, drive project excellence, mentor staff, and support strategic growth initiatives. The ideal candidate combines strong bridge design and inspection expertise with a passion for leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

As a key member of our team, you will play a critical role in delivering impactful infrastructure projects while helping expand our bridge and structural engineering services across new markets.

Why Join Fehr Graham?

At Fehr Graham, we foster a collaborative culture where technical excellence, professional development, and work-life balance are equally valued. You'll have the opportunity to lead challenging and meaningful projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and strengthen the communities we serve.

Your Primary Responsibilities will include:

As the Lead Structural Engineer, you will be responsible for both technical project delivery and team leadership.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead bridge inspection, analysis, rehabilitation, and design projects for public and private sector clients.
• Manage and oversee the preparation of structural calculations, plans, specifications, and construction documents.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance for structural engineering projects.
• Grow, mentor, and develop the structural engineering team through coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate closely with transportation, civil, and environmental teams to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Support business development efforts, client relationship management, and project pursuits.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, design codes, and industry best practices.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for bridge structures, retaining walls, and other transportation-related structural systems.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in bridge and structural design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure, with the ability to obtain licensure in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin as needed.
• Demonstrated experience designing steel and reinforced concrete structures.
• Strong understanding of bridge inspection methodologies, transportation infrastructure, and applicable design standards.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and structural design codes.
• Experience developing design plans, technical specifications, and construction documents.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to build relationships with clients, stakeholders, and project teams.
• Proven problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Benefits & Pay Transparency:

The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company’s good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.

We may use AI-powered tools to support administrative aspects of recruiting, including sourcing support and note-taking. These tools do not evaluate candidates or influence screening, interview, or hiring decisions. Every candidate is reviewed and assessed by human recruiters and hiring managers.