Principal Structural Engineer – Technical Reviewer (Casual)

Parsons Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer – Technical Reviewer to provide independent technical oversight on highway, rail, and transportation projects. You will check calculations, review plans, and coach junior staff to ensure accuracy and constructability.

You will collaborate with PMs and design teams, work to resolve complex issues, and ensure compliance with AASHTO LRFD, IDOT, IL Tollway, and rail standards.

Qualifications

• 30+ years of progressive structural/bridge experience.
• Bachelor’s in Civil or Structural Eng; Master’s preferred.
• Active Illinois Structural Engineer license.
• Extensive steel and concrete transportation structures experience.
• Ability to review calculations, plans, specs and costs.
• Strong knowledge of AASHTO LRFD, IDOT, IL Tollway; familiarity with standards.

Responsibilities

• Independently check structural calculations and models.
• Review plans, specifications, quantities, and costs for accuracy.
• Evaluate design packages for compliance with AASHTO LRFD, IDOT, IL Tollway.
• Provide clear review comments and coach staff.
• Review evaluations, load ratings, and field issues with safety focus.
• Coordinate reviews with roadway, rail, geotechnical, and CADD teams.
• Attend client meetings and site visits as needed.

Skills

Structural review

Bridge & rail

QA/QC

Mentoring

Project coordination

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's in Civil/Structural Eng

Master's degree preferred

Illinois S.E. license

Tools

BlueBeam

Bridge analysis software

Job description

Job Description

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Principal Structural Engineer - Technical Reviewer to work on very high-level and technically challenging projects to join our team! In this role you will get to lend your bridge technical knowledge on an as-needed basis.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Principal Structural Engineer – Technical Reviewer (Casual) will provide independent technical oversight for structural engineering work on highway, transit, freight rail, and passenger rail projects on an as needed basis. With more than 30 years of structural engineering experience, this senior engineer will focus on checking and improving work prepared by junior and mid-level engineers, helping ensure that calculations, plans, specifications, and technical recommendations are accurate, coordinated, constructible, and consistent with applicable standards.

Working with project managers, discipline leads, and design teams, the reviewer will examine structural analyses and design packages at key milestones, identify technical and coordination issues, and provide clear, actionable comments. The position calls for sound judgment across bridges, retaining walls, culverts, foundations, and related transportation structures, along with a practical ability to explain why changes are needed and help engineers strengthen their work. The reviewer will contribute to quality planning, resolve difficult design questions, and support delivery from preliminary engineering through construction.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal Structural Engineer will apply deep technical experience to review structural work and build quality into project delivery. Responsibilities include:

• Independently check structural calculations, analysis models, design assumptions, and engineering judgments prepared by junior and mid-level structural engineers; verify that methods, inputs, results, and conclusions are technically sound.
• Review bridge, wall, culvert, foundation, and related structure plans, details, specifications, quantities, and cost estimates for accuracy, completeness, internal consistency, and constructability.
• Evaluate design packages for compliance with AASHTO LRFD, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and applicable AISC, ACI, and rail requirements; identify departures, unresolved risks, and coordination gaps before submittal.
• Provide clear review comments, redlines, and documented dispositions; discuss findings with the responsible engineers, confirm corrections, and coach staff on sound analysis, detailing, and quality-control practices.
• Review structural evaluations, rehabilitation concepts, load ratings, inspection findings, and construction-phase responses, including shop drawings, RFIs, and field issues, with attention to safety and serviceability.

Coordinate reviews with roadway, rail, geotechnical, drainage, traffic, CADD, and construction teams. Attend client meetings and project-site visits as needed to resolve technical questions and support timely delivery.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Supervision Received

• Structural Practice Lead, Project Manager, or designated Technical Manager

Supervision Given

• Technical direction and mentoring for junior and mid-level structural engineers and design staff

Internal Contacts

• Project Managers, Structural Practice Leaders, bridge and rail engineers, roadway and geotechnical teams, CADD staff, quality managers, and construction support teams

External Contacts

• IDOT, Illinois Tollway, CDOT, CTA, Metra, Amtrak, Class I railroads, municipalities, contractors, and other project stakeholders

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• 30+ years of progressive structural or bridge engineering experience, including substantial responsibility for checking and quality review of work prepared by other engineers.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering from an accredited program; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Active Illinois Structural Engineer (S.E.) license.
• Extensive experience with steel and concrete transportation structures, including bridge superstructures and substructures, foundations, retaining walls, and culverts.
• Demonstrated ability to review structural calculations, analysis models, plans, specifications, technical reports, quantities, and cost estimates and to identify technical errors, omissions, and coordination conflicts.
• Strong working knowledge of AASHTO LRFD, IDOT and Illinois Tollway procedures, and applicable AISC, ACI, and rail standards; proficiency with BlueBeam and bridge analysis/design software is expected.

• Strong technical writing, communication, and mentoring skills, with the judgment to explain review findings constructively and support resolution of complex structural issues.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Structural design review and independent technical checking
• Bridge, rail, and transportation structure engineering
• Calculation and analysis model verification
• Plan, specification, and constructability review

• Quality assurance and quality control
• Technical problem solving and risk identification
• Clear review comments and documentation
• Coaching and mentoring engineers
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Client and project team communication
• Sound professional judgment and organization

Security Clearance Requirement

NoneThis position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next!

Salary Range: $75.72 - $136.30This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest