Principal Structural Engineer - LEAD

Actalent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 138,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer - Lead to guide civil and structural engineering teams on large industrial and power projects. You will provide technical oversight for steel and concrete structures, mentor engineers, and engage with clients to define requirements and deliver high-quality designs.

The role requires 15+ years in structural/civil engineering with industrial/power focus, PE license, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Civil or Structural Engineering required.
• 15+ years of experience in structural or civil engineering for industrial and power projects.
• PE license required; SE license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage civil and structural engineering teams on large industrial and power projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to project objectives.
• Provide technical oversight for structural and foundation design, including steel and concrete structures, to ensure safe, efficient, and code-compliant solutions.
• Guide the development of structural design calculations, drawings, and specifications using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
• Serve as a lead technical resource for complex engineering challenges, offering direction and review for critical design decisions.
• Mentor and develop engineers by providing coaching, technical guidance, and support for their professional growth.
• Engage with clients to understand project requirements, present technical solutions, and maintain strong professional relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams on industrial and power projects to integrate structural engineering with other engineering disciplines.
• Lead project planning and execution activities, including scope definition, scheduling, and resource allocation, to meet project milestones.
• Oversee technical reviews, quality checks, and design validation to ensure engineering excellence and compliance with standards.
• Support and contribute to large EPC projects, providing structural engineering leadership when required.
• Promote continuous improvement in engineering practices, tools, and standards within the structural engineering team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client engagement

Mentoring

Steel design

Concrete design

Team leadership

Engineering oversight

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

STAAD

Job description

Job Title: Principal Structural Engineer - Lead

Job Description

The Principal Structural Engineer - Lead serves as a lead technical leader responsible for guiding civil and structural engineering teams on large industrial and power projects. This role combines team leadership, technical oversight, client engagement, and project execution while mentoring engineers and driving engineering excellence across complex structural designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage civil and structural engineering teams on large industrial and power projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to project objectives.

• Provide technical oversight for structural and foundation design, including steel and concrete structures, to ensure safe, efficient, and code-compliant solutions.

• Guide the development of structural design calculations, drawings, and specifications using industry-standard tools and methodologies.

• Serve as a lead technical resource for complex engineering challenges, offering direction and review for critical design decisions.

• Mentor and develop engineers by providing coaching, technical guidance, and support for their professional growth.

• Engage with clients to understand project requirements, present technical solutions, and maintain strong professional relationships throughout the project lifecycle.

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams on industrial and power projects to integrate structural engineering with other engineering disciplines.

• Lead project planning and execution activities, including scope definition, scheduling, and resource allocation, to meet project milestones.

• Oversee technical reviews, quality checks, and design validation to ensure engineering excellence and compliance with standards.

• Support and contribute to large EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects, providing structural engineering leadership when required.

• Promote continuous improvement in engineering practices, tools, and standards within the structural engineering team.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.

• 15+ years of experience in structural or civil engineering, with a focus on industrial and power projects.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Proven experience leading engineering teams in a high level technical capacity.

• Strong experience in structural engineering, including steel and concrete design.

• Expertise in structural design and foundation design for industrial and power facilities.

• Experience with structural analysis tools such as STAAD.

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical oversight and ensure engineering quality.

• Experience in project management within engineering environments, including planning and coordination.

• Ability to engage effectively with clients and internal stakeholders on technical and project matters.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Structural Engineer (SE) license is preferred.

• Experience with large EPC projects is preferred.

• Proven team leadership capabilities, including mentoring and developing engineering staff.

• Strong skills in steel design and concrete design for large-scale structures.

• Experience in technical oversight for multidisciplinary engineering projects.

• Ability to contribute to a culture of growth, learning, and engineering excellence.

• Interest in long-term career growth within a dynamic project environment.

• Ability to balance technical responsibilities with project management and client engagement.

Work Environment

This position is based in a professional engineering environment with a standard schedule of approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., totaling about 40 hours per week. Alternative schedules may be available, including options such as half-day Fridays or a 4x9 schedule with one half day each week, depending on team and project needs. The role supports a culture that values paid holidays, paid time off, and growth opportunities, while working on large industrial and power projects that utilize modern engineering tools and collaborative, team-based workflows.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100.00 - $120.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.