Rail Structural Engineer - 100% Employee-Owned (Hybrid)

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

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.