Senior Structural Engineer

Progressive Companies; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Companies in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a Structural Engineer IV to lead major projects from conception through execution and to mentor cross-disciplinary teams. The role requires deep structural expertise, regulatory know-how, and a commitment to client relations.

You will establish documentation standards in Revit and AutoCAD, review critical deliverables for accuracy, and collaborate with Project Managers to align scopes and budgets while advancing performance-based design.

Qualifications

• Completion of Professional Engineering (P.E.) licensure required.
• Typically 20+ years post-graduation engineering experience and/or 15+ years licensed experience.
• Proficient in using technology and standard software tools and search engines.
• Expert in using Revit and AutoCAD.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative engineering designs and specifications for complex projects.
• Establish advanced documentation standards in Revit and AutoCAD.
• Conduct feasibility analyses and provide strategic insights for decisions.
• Lead and mentor cross-disciplinary project teams and deliver comprehensive reports.
• Collaborate with Project Managers to develop detailed project plans (scope, schedule, budget).
• Engage clients throughout the project lifecycle and translate design strategies.
• Provide technical SME guidance and support major strategic decisions.

Skills

Project leadership

Client liaison

Mentorship

Regulatory compliance

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Subject Matter Expert

Revit

AutoCAD

Feasibility analyses

Education

Professional Engineer licensure

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Structural Engineer IV serves as a senior technical leader, guiding complex engineering projects from conception through execution. They leverage extensive expertise in engineering principles, regulatory compliance, geographic and industry best practices to develop innovative solutions that meet client needs. Acting as a primary point of contact, they cultivate strong client relationships, ensuring a thorough understanding of project objectives and fostering collaboration among cross-disciplinary teams. They act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and provide mentorship to anyone in the company and consistently find ways to enhanc e the team ’ s capabilities. This role will often assist in leading to external networking , identifying and providing more opportunities for business for the org anization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop innovative engineering designs and specifications that meet complex project goals, exemplify Performance Based Design principles and promot e regeneration while maintaining code compliance.
• Establish a dvanced documentation standards and procedures in Revit and AutoCAD to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment across all engineering deliverables within the discipline.
• Conduct in-depth feasibility analyses and evaluations of project performance metrics, providing strategic insights that drive informed decision-making among stakeholders.
• Lead and mentors cross-disciplinary project team s and regularly deliver comprehensive reports and presentations that effectively communicate complex technical information , matching the messaging to diverse stakeholders .
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and Team Leads to develop and execute detailed project plans for large-scale initiatives, coordinating complex scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Engage clients throughout the project lifecycle, deepening relationships by thoroughly understanding their needs and translating innovative design strategies.
• Lead technical expertise of engineering project teams and comfortably makes complex and strategic decisions that reduces risk to timelines and organization.

Review and Compliance

• Thoroughly r eview critical technical documents and deliverables for design accuracy, providing expert feedback that ensures compliance while adding value whenever possible.
• Serve as the engineering subject matter expert in discussions with government agencies, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and promoting best practices.
• Maintain a proactive awareness of industry regulations and trends, integrating this knowledge into engineering practices to ensure current and compliant methodologies.
• Own the review process of complex project documentation , ensuring accuracy, and adherence to quality assurance standards before submission s .
• Facilitate and leads field inspections of major projects , ensuring construction alignment with design intent.

Teamwork and Support

• Promote a culture of teamwork , open communication , and fosters a learning environment encouraging knowledge sharing , counter-perspectives and innovative thinking.
• Engage in and implements o ngoing professional development activities and programs within the team.
• Act as a technical SME for senior and executive staff , providing guidance to solutions whenever needed and providing input and opinions on major strategic decisions relating to current and future projects.
• Participate in leading 'Lessons Learned' sessions, sharing knowledge to enhance team skills and project outcomes.

SPECIALI ZED ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

• Use d eep understanding of building structural systems and installation costs in order to find solutions .
• Use expertise in structural material units and installation costs to implement reduction strategies on project cost overruns.
• Successfully creat e structures or systems for complex conditions (with intricate load paths or redundancy effects) for specialized systems or with cutting-edge materials or processes .

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Licensure

• Completion of Professional Engineering (P.E.) licensure required.
• Typical employees have a minimum of 20 years of post-graduation professional engineering experience and/or 1 5 years of professionally licensed experience.
• Proficient in using technology and standard software tools and search engines.
• Expert in using Revit and AutoCAD .

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Business Insight - Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Builds Networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Organizational Savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit for extended periods, use a computer, and occasionally lift items up to 25 pounds and work in various environments including office and field settings.

The above information has been designed to describe the general nature and level of work performed as noted. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Progressive Companies fully and actively supports Equal Employment Opportunity. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

P eople Matter

Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call P erformance B ased D esign. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities. Sustainable and Inclusive

Sustainable and Inclusive

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration. Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.