Principal, Structural Engineering

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 214,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Profit Sharing and 401(k)

Health Insurance (Medical)

Short/Long-Term Disability

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

SGH, a leading structural engineering firm, seeks a Principal to lead and deliver complex building and infrastructure projects across steel, concrete, masonry, and timber. You will guide investigations, design, and project delivery while expanding client relationships in Texas and beyond.

You will mentor junior staff, contribute to thought leadership, and uphold SGH’s ethical standards while advancing the firm’s National profile.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering is required.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas is required or in process.
• At least 15+ years of experience in structural engineering, including investigations, design, repair, and construction-phase consulting.
• Experience with existing buildings, evaluating distress, and developing retrofit solutions.
• Experience with multiple structural systems and materials (steel, concrete, masonry, timber).
• Proven business development success and ability to build lasting client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in planning, design, investigation, and delivery of complex projects.
• Oversee structural engineering across materials (steel, concrete, masonry, timber) for diverse projects.
• Manage projects from concept to completion (scoping, budgeting, scheduling, client comms, QC).
• Cultivate relationships with clients and industry partners to drive growth in Texas and beyond.
• Mentor and develop junior/mid-level staff.
• Contribute to SGH thought leadership through code development, committees, and publications.
• Promote SGH’s collaborative culture and national profile.

Skills

Technical leadership

Business development

Client communication

Mentoring

Public speaking

Project leadership

Education

Master’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas

Job description

What makes careers at SGH so special?

The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.

There Are Many Reasons To Love SGH

• Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
• Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
• Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
• Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.

We want someone passionate about technical leadership and business development.

As a Principal in Structural Engineering, you will provide leadership in the planning, design, investigation, and delivery of complex building and infrastructure projects. This role involves overseeing structural engineering across a variety of materials, including steel, concrete, masonry, and timber, for diverse project types and market sectors.

The Position

• Provide leadership in the design, investigation, and assessment of structures across a broad range of sectors, including new, existing, temporary, and historic structures.
• Apply structural engineering expertise to projects involving a range of conditions and hazards, including wind and severe weather, foundation movement, moisture and water intrusion, and other causes of structural distress.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including structural engineers, metallurgists, material scientists, building enclosure specialists, and other technical specialists.
• Manage and deliver projects from concept through completion, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, client communication, and quality control.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, industry partners, and other stakeholders to generate new business opportunities and drive growth in the Texas market and beyond.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level staff, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Contribute to SGH’s thought leadership by participating in code development, industry committees, technical publications, and public speaking opportunities.
• Promote SGH’s collaborative and ethical culture while helping to elevate the firm’s national profile in structural engineering.

What You’ll Need

• Master’s degree, or higher, in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E., structural branch) in Texas.
• 15+ years of experience in structural engineering, including structural investigations and assessments, structural design, repair and rehabilitation, and construction-phase consulting.
• Experience with existing buildings and structures, including evaluation of structural distress, failure investigation, and development of repair or retrofit solutions.
• Experience with a range of structural systems and materials, including steel, concrete, masonry, and timber.
• Experience providing litigation support, including expert witness testimony, is a plus.
• Proven track record of technical excellence and leadership on complex building projects.
• Demonstrated business development skills and ability to build lasting client relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical topics to clients, peers, and public audiences.
• SGH prides itself on its standards of ethics and honesty; candidates must view these qualities as paramount.

Benefits Overview

SGH provides the following benefits to eligible employees.

• Paid Time Off (Vacation time, Sick leave, Holidays)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) plan with a discretionary company contribution
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Short and Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Employee Basic Life and AD&D insurance (company paid)
• Optional Life Insurance
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Fertility, Family Forming, and Hormonal Health benefit
• Employee Assistance Program
• Empathy Bereavement Support
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
• AFLAC Accident & Cancer Insurance
• Legal & Identity Theft plans
• Tuition Reimbursement

Compensation

The compensation range below is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Base salary is a part of SGH’s industry leading Total Compensation package. Our Total Compensation package includes base salary, pay for extra direct hours worked, an annual discretionary bonus program, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits with a special emphasis on substantial SGH contributions to medical insurance premiums and SGH’s Profit Sharing & 401(k) Plan.

Pay Range

• Associate Principal: $214,240 - $236,080
• Principal: $262,080
• Senior Principal: $273,000

Principal (all levels)

$214,240—$273,000 USD

SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply.