Lead Structural Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group

Sargent & Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 118,023 - 180,313; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer match

Tuition Assistance

Paid Annual Leave

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Structural Engineer to join their team in Chicago, Illinois, focusing on the design and analysis of structures for industrial facilities and power plants. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering along with at least 15 years of relevant experience.

This hybrid position allows for flexible work arrangements, requiring in-office work 3 days a week. The role includes mentorship responsibilities and client interaction, with a comprehensive compensation package ranging from $118,023 to $180,313 annually based on experience and skills.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in structural engineering design.
• PE license is required.
• Experience with heavy industrial plants preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply structural analysis and design for power plants.
• Guide junior engineers through complex phases.
• Conduct on-site assessments and propose upgrades.

Skills

Structural engineering knowledge

Project management

Technical writing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

STAAD PRO

SAP2000

MathCad

ANSYS

MS Office

Job description

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• This position will allow you to apply your experience and knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to deliver creative, cost‑effective solutions for existing and new designs. You will work on a wide range of power plant and industrial facility modifications and upgrades, creating calculations, design documents, and specifications. Additionally, you will conduct structural analyses involving complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.
• As a structural lead, you will guide junior‑level engineers and designers through detailed design phases and coordinate all aspects of structural engineering work.
• You will investigate, troubleshoot, and solve a wide variety of structural engineering issues on challenging assignments.
• Using state‑of‑the‑art computer tools, you will perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations.
• Develop integrated structural designs and perform supporting calculations for planned work.
• Prepare technical specifications for structural materials.
• Prepare engineering studies.
• Perform independent reviews of work performed by others, including calculations and drawing preparation.
• Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure complete and timely design.
• Conduct reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, present findings and recommendations to clients and peers, and, when necessary, perform on‑site structural condition assessments and recommendations for repair/modification of structures experiencing degradation or repurposing.
• Develop your career through peer‑learning by sharing knowledge with other experienced engineers via S&L’s systems of process and associated Communities of Practice.
• Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less‑experienced engineers.
• Client interface will likely include travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for condition assessments, 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Master's preferred) with a structural engineering emphasis from an ABET‑approved program.
• Fifteen or more years of experience as a member of a project team in the design of non‑commercial, heavy industrial plants, focusing on the analysis of steel structures, concrete foundations, and supports for new plants or modifications to existing plants. Experience must include selection of structural materials and review and preparation of specifications.
• PE license required.
• Experience in writing and providing support documentation for structural engineering calculations.
• Technical knowledge of practical application of structural engineering, including analysis for structural supports, loads, and design integrity.
• Experience with design techniques, tools, and principles involved in producing technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.
• Proficiency with any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.
• Familiarity with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued But Not Required Skills And Experience

• Construction and start‑up experience a plus.
• Commissioning experience a plus.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

• 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.
• Direct automation and process‑improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guide when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
• Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, reviewing automated outputs.
• 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

Health & Wellness

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

Financial Benefits

• 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

Work‑Life Balance

• 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 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

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations, and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Awards & Recognition

Sargent & Lundy has earned the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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.