Structural Associate

Thornton Tomasetti; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life + AD&D

401k with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Commuter Transit

Job summary

Thornton Tomasetti in California seeks an Associate in our Structural Practice to lead government-focused building projects, deepen client relationships, and mentor teams. This role combines advanced engineering with growing ownership of business results and firm strategy.

You will guide multi-practice project delivery, develop familiarity with U.S. government security standards and BIM workflows, and expand client opportunities while maintaining high technical standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• PE and/or SE licensure.
• 8+ years of structural engineering experience focusing on government market sectors.
• Leadership and client-facing capability to drive project delivery and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Guide complex building designs and lead teams on government market projects.
• Collaborate with Protective Design & Security teams on government-focused projects.
• Lead end-to-end multi-practice project delivery with autonomy.
• Develop familiarity with U.S. government security standards and BIM workflows (Revit).
• Provide clear guidance on advanced structural challenges and integrated design solutions.
• Grow and mentor a high-performing team and expand client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred

Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure

Job description

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career. Our Structural Engineering practice collaborates with architects, building owners, and builders to design elegant solutions for projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. From designing the world’s tallest buildings and most extended spans to engineering inventive “jewel-box” structures and designing major expansion projects, we continually seek the best balance among the demands of form, function, sustainability, constructability, schedule, and budget.

Your Role

As an Associate in our Structural Practice, you'll guide complex building designs, lead teams, deepen client relationships, and expand your influence across the firm. We are seeking a candidate to specialize in our projects in the government market sector including Federal, State and Local government projects. At this level, you'll pair advanced engineering expertise with growing ownership of business results, helping shape strategy, strengthen client partnerships, and elevate project delivery. This is your opportunity to make a bigger impact and accelerate your path toward firm leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Tackle complex, high-impact building projects where your technical judgment directly shapes outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with the Protective Design & Security team in the pursuit and execution of projects focused in the government market sector.
• Lead multi-practice project delivery end-to-end, steering design, managing teams, and driving decisions with real autonomy.
• Develop familiarity with U.S. government security standards and BIM workflows (e.g., Revit).
• Be the expert clients rely on, providing clear, confident guidance on advanced structural challenges and integrated design solutions.
• Grow and mentor a high-performing team, raising the technical bar and developing future leaders.
• Expand client relationships and help position TT for new opportunities and markets.
• Influence firm strategy by connecting clients to our full-service capabilities and identifying where we should grow next.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure.
• 8+ years of structural engineering experience with demonstrated technical depth in new or existing building design focused in the government market sector (Federal experience preferred).
• Drive project delivery and lead teams, partnering with clients while leveraging strong technical expertise to solve complex challenges and shape project strategy and priorities.
• Leadership that inspires others through mentoring, empowerment, and effective communication, while expanding your client-facing presence.
• Eagerness to champion multi-practice project delivery with integrated engineering design solutions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Compensation

The rate for this position generally is $120,000 - $150,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the California Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful California applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in California or perform the position from California. Similar positions located outside of California will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by California Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits

Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Transit (where available)
• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
• Fitness Reimbursement
• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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