Structural Engineer

Placement Club; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Placement Club seeks a highly motivated Structural Engineer to design and coordinate structural supports for mechanical HVAC and piping systems in complex facilities. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure code-compliant, constructible solutions across commercial, healthcare, and industrial projects.

The role emphasizes seismic restraints, prefabricated MEP systems, and BIM-enabled project delivery. Strong analytical skills and proficiency with design software are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Structural or Civil Engineering with structural emphasis.
• 3–10+ years of structural engineering experience in commercial/industrial/design-build environments.
• Experience designing support systems for HVAC, mechanical, and piping infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of steel design, anchorage, and seismic principles.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software and BIM platforms.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and piping drawings.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design for mechanical equipment supports, HVAC rooftop unit supports, pipe racks, and equipment platforms.
• Coordinate with mechanical, piping, and HVAC engineers to develop integrated support systems.
• Review shop drawings, RFIs, submittals, and fabrication models; support field installations.
• Ensure compliance with IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, NFPA, OSHPD/HCAI where applicable; perform seismic restraint calculations.
• Participate in BIM/VDC coordination and clash detection.

Skills

Structural analysis

Seismic design

MEP coordination

Technical documentation

Reading drawings

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Structural/Civil Eng (structural emphasis)

Tools

RISA

STAAD.Pro

RAM Structural System

AutoCAD

Revit

Navisworks

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Structural Engineer to support the design, coordination, and implementation of structural systems associated with complex mechanical HVAC, plumbing, and piping infrastructure projects. This role focuses on structural analysis and design for mechanical equipment support systems, seismic restraint systems, pipe rack structures, equipment platforms, rooftop units, industrial piping systems, and integrated building infrastructure within commercial, healthcare, industrial, mission-critical, and advanced technology facilities.

The Structural Engineer will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, BIM/VDC specialists, construction managers, fabrication teams, and field operations personnel to deliver innovative design-build mechanical solutions that meet project performance, constructability, and code compliance requirements.

This position requires strong analytical capabilities, experience with structural design standards, and a solid understanding of how structural systems interface with mechanical HVAC and piping systems in large-scale construction environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design for:
• Mechanical equipment supports
• HVAC rooftop unit supports
• Pipe racks and piping support systems
• Equipment platforms and access structures
• Seismic bracing and restraint systems
• Anchoring systems for mechanical infrastructure
• Modular and prefabricated MEP assemblies
• Design support structures for chilled water, hot water, steam, condenser water, medical gas, and industrial piping systems.
• Evaluate structural loading conditions including:
• Dead loads
• Wind loads
• Seismic forces
• Thermal expansion loads
• Vibration impacts from rotating equipment
• Prepare structural calculations, engineering reports, specifications, and sealed construction documents as required.
• Review existing building structures for equipment additions, retrofits, and renovations.

Mechanical System Coordination

• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, piping designers, and HVAC engineers to develop integrated support systems for MEP infrastructure.
• Coordinate structural requirements with:
• Pipe routing
• Mechanical room configurations
• Equipment clearances
• Building structural systems
• Support constructability reviews and prefabrication strategies for mechanical systems.
• Participate in clash detection and interdisciplinary coordination using BIM/VDC platforms.
• Ensure designs comply with:
• International Building Code (IBC)
• ASCE 7
• ACI standards
• NFPA standards
• Local jurisdictional requirements
• OSHPD/HCAI requirements (where applicable)
• Perform seismic restraint calculations for HVAC and piping systems in high seismic regions.
• Coordinate permitting and engineering review processes.

Project Delivery & Construction Support

• Provide engineering support during fabrication and construction phases.
• Review shop drawings, RFIs, submittals, and fabrication models.
• Conduct site visits and field investigations as needed.
• Support installation troubleshooting and field modifications.
• Collaborate with fabrication shops and field teams to optimize constructability and installation efficiency.
• Utilize structural analysis and modeling software including:
• RISA
• STAAD.Pro
• RAM Structural System
• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Navisworks
• Support BIM-integrated workflows and digital project delivery initiatives.
• Participate in development of prefabricated and modular MEP structural support systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering with structural emphasis.
• 3–10+ years of structural engineering experience in commercial, industrial, or design-build construction environments.
• Experience designing support systems for HVAC, mechanical, and piping infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of steel design, anchorage systems, and seismic engineering principles.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software and BIM platforms.
• Knowledge of building codes and structural design standards.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and piping drawings.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.