Senior Structural Engineer

STV; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in transportation infrastructure is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer in Chicago. This role involves managing structural design for highway and rail projects, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in bridge design and a collaborative mindset. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off (16 days)

Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)

Qualifications

• 12+ years of structural engineering experience, focusing on bridge infrastructure.
• Illinois Professional Engineer license required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of AREMA and AASHTO LRFD.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage structural design and analysis of bridges and related structures.
• Serve as technical lead from planning through final design and construction support.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote a culture of safety and innovation.

Skills

Analytical

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

B.S. in Civil Engineering

M.S. in Structural Engineering

Tools

MicroStation

AutoCAD

Job description

STV Incorporated is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer (S.E.) with a focus on highway, rail and transit infrastructure to join our growing Transportation Practice in Chicago, IL. This role is ideal for a technically driven structural engineer with 12+ years of experience who is passionate about delivering high-quality bridge designs and structural solutions and thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. This role will support both of STV’s National Practices in Rail and Bridge Design.

STV is a nationally recognized leader in the design of rail, transit, and roadway systems. Based in Chicago, our Rail and Transportation Team partners with Class I freight railroads and major passenger agencies—including Amtrak, CTA, and Metra—as well as departments of transportation and municipal clients. We provide structural design, roadway and rail design, inspection, and construction support for signature infrastructure projects locally and nationwide. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with a deep bench of technical experts and lead transformative projects that enhance both rail and roadway connectivity across the United States.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and manage structural design and analysis of bridges, culverts, platforms, retaining walls, and other related structures for highway and railroad clients.
• Serve as technical lead on structural tasks from planning through final design and into construction support
• Perform structural modeling, load ratings, and analysis using software such as MIDAS, LARSA, SAP2000, CSI Bridge, STAAD, and Mathcad
• Ensure structural designs comply with AREMA, AASHTO LRFD, IDOT, and client-specific design standards
• Develop structural plans, specifications, and cost estimates for design-bid-build and design-build project delivery
• Perform bridge inspections and prepare inspection reports and load ratings for freight and passenger rail clients
• Serve as Client Representative for select railroad clients, reviewing and/or overseeing design efforts on their behalf.

Technical Development & Oversight

• Review and approve structural calculations, technical memos, and submittals
• Coordinate closely with CAD designers and engineering support staff using MicroStation and AutoCAD
• Contribute to the development and implementation of design templates and QA/QC tools to improve delivery consistency and efficiency
• Support constructability reviews and provide on-site construction observation and field support when necessary

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor junior and mid-level structural engineers, reviewing technical deliverables and guiding design decisions
• Work with project managers, group leads, and other disciplines to define scope, schedule, and resource plans
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and innovation in daily operations

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. in Civil Engineering (M.S. in Structural Engineering preferred)
• Illinois Professional Engineer license required.
• Illinois Structural Engineer (S.E.) license required (or ability to obtain)
• 12+ years of structural engineering experience, with a strong emphasis on bridge infrastructure.
• Demonstrated knowledge of AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and related agency guidelines
• Strong analytical, structural design, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-first mindset

Preferred Experience:

• Prior experience managing structural components of highway and rail bridge projects
• Familiarity with structural design software
• Working knowledge of CAD tools: MicroStation, AutoCAD
• Field inspection or construction experience on rail or bridge projects
• Experience supporting multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure teams with tight deadlines and innovative deliverables

Compensation Range:

$100,226.48 - $133,635.31

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At STV, we are fully committed to expanding our culture of diversity and inclusion, one that will reflect the clients we serve and the communities we work in, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (16 days) • Paid Holidays (8 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.