Professional Engineer, Structural

TKDA; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

Overtime pay for all hours

In-house multi-discipline team

Job summary

TKDA in Downers Grove, IL, is seeking a Civil/Structural Engineer to lead rail-structure projects from concept through construction. You will work with an in-house, multi-discipline team supporting Class I, short line, and passenger railroads nationwide.

You’ll design facilities, repairs, and supporting structures and collaborate with experienced engineers to deliver safe, code-compliant solutions. This is a hands-on, owner-from-day-one role in a 100% employee-owned firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• PE license in at least one state (or ability to obtain within six months).
• 5–12 years of experience designing heavy industrial structural projects.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies and navigating the permit process.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, RISA, and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Skilled in drafting and assembling plan sets, specifications, and construction cost estimates.
• Track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with proposals, technical reports, and project meetings.
• Ability to travel up to 20% for project meetings, client visits, and site inspections.

Responsibilities

• Design new construction and develop repairs for existing rail-critical structures: maintenance facilities, fueling stations, bulk handling structures, administration buildings, and more.
• Prepare design calculations, plan sets, specifications, and construction cost estimates as a technical expert on your projects.
• Perform construction observation and inspection services to ensure designs are built as planned.
• Work alongside Graduate Engineers and senior registered engineers on designs, sharing expertise and learning from others.
• Develop and grow project management skills over time, taking on more responsibility as you’re ready.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

RISA

MS Office

Job description

Engineer the facilities that run America’s railroads.

If you’re a structural engineer who wants hands-on ownership of heavy industrial projects, from conceptual design through construction, this role is worth a look.

You’ll join our Rail Structural group, working alongside an in-house, multi-discipline team that supports Class I, short line, and passenger railroads across the country. You’ll design new structures and structural repairs for maintenance facilities, locomotive fueling stations, bulk handling structures, administration buildings, and other structures that are essential to keeping railroads running.

Why TKDA

• You’re an owner from day one. As a 100% employee-owned firm, you start earning shares immediately, and you’re fully vested after two years.


• You get paid for the hours you put in. We pay straight overtime on all work, including meetings, not just field time.


• You’ll work on a variety of projects. From maintenance facilities to fueling stations to bulk handling structures, no two rail projects call for the same solution.


• Everything you need is in house. Structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and architecture professionals all work under one roof here, so you get real collaboration instead of hand-offs, and more people to learn from along the way.

Hybrid Work Environment:

Tuesday - Thursday in office | Monday & Friday work from home. This position is able to work out of our Minneapolis, Downers Grove, or Seattle offices.

What you’ll do

• Design new construction and develop repairs for existing rail-critical structures: maintenance facilities, fueling stations, bulk handling structures, administration buildings, and more


• Prepare design calculations, plan sets, specifications, and construction cost estimates as a technical expert on your projects


• Perform construction observation and inspection services to make sure your designs come to life the way you planned them


• Work alongside Graduate Engineers and senior registered engineers on designs, sharing your expertise while learning from theirs


• Develop and grow your project management skills over time, taking on more responsibility as you’re ready

What you need

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering


• PE license in at least one state (or the ability to get licensed within six months)


• 5-12 years of experience designing heavy industrial structural projects


• Experience working with regulatory agencies and navigating the permit process


• Proficiency in AutoCAD, RISA, and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)


• Skilled in drafting and assembling plan sets, specifications, and construction cost estimates


• A track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with proposals, technical reports, and project team meetings


• Ability to travel up to 20% for project meetings, client visits, and site inspections, with occasional overnight trips

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering


• SE license


• Rail project experience


• Revit drafting experience


• Business development experience, including proposals and fee estimates


• Experience managing structural-specific or multi-discipline projects

$90,000 - $125,000 a year

The listed salary range reflects base pay for candidates with 5-12 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Candidates with more experience or different compensation expectations are encouraged to apply. All candidates are evaluated on the full scope of what they bring to the role.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one

Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses

HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan

401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals

ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits

Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements. TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H‑1B, F‑1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

*Pre-Employment Screening*

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.