Structural Engineer | 15+ years

01 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Education assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) in Seattle (Pioneer Square) is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer (Associate Principal) with 15+ years of experience to lead investigations, diagnostics, and rehabilitation projects for contemporary and historic structures. This doer-manager role offers direct client interaction, a supportive mentorship network, and ownership of project outcomes.

You will oversee technical directions, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to business

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Washington; SE licensure preferred (WJE will support and encourage pursuit).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in civil/structural engineering; master’s or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant industry experience with demonstrated expertise in problem-solving, condition assessment, failure investigation, analysis, and repair design.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural investigations, diagnostics, detailing, and rehabilitation projects; manage client expectations and deliverables.
• Provide technical leadership and apply engineering judgment across projects; mentor associates and peers.
• Contribute to local practice development and company-wide objectives; foster client relationships.
• Collaborate with clients, contractors, and consultants from day one; participate in industry committees and knowledge sharing.

Skills

PE license WA

SE licensure preferred

Project management

Client development

Structural analysis

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil/structural engineering

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Job description

WJE Seattle is celebrating 40 years in the Pacific Northwest! Bring your problem-solving mindset, ownership mentality, and deep technical expertise to a team that is genuinely excited about their work and invested in each other’s success. We are seeking a senior-level Structural Engineer (Associate Principal) with 15+ years of experience to join our team, centrally located in Pioneer Square. This is a doer-manager role. You'll lead structural investigations, diagnostics, detailing, and rehabilitation projects across contemporary and historic structures—working directly with clients, contractors, and consultants from day one. You'll have a sharp team of associates supporting you and direct access to mentorship from industry-recognized senior leaders across the company. As an employee-owner at WJE, you will have the autonomy to shape your career while mentoring the next generation of structural engineers. You will be supported by an organization offering industry-leading benefits, dedicated administrative resources, a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, and access to WJE’s collective expertise and state-of-the-art laboratory and testing capabilities.

Responsibilities

Project management, including client development, project scoping, assembling and managing project teams, maintaining project schedules, budgets, and financials, and managing client expectations and deliverables Technical leadership, including applying sound engineering judgment and a deep understanding of governing codes, design guidelines, and industry practices; collaborating with interdisciplinary project teams across WJE as the structural engineering subject-matter expert (SME); leveraging your expertise for a variety of structural engineering projects, including the investigation, design, analysis, repair, and renovation of new and existing structures, construction materials, loading conditions, and construction types; preparing technically excellent client deliverables; providing high-quality reviews and oversight of work by others; and performing and training others in hands‑on fieldwork Mentorship, including exemplifying WJE’s culture of shared destiny and knowledge sharing to better the team around you: locally and company-wide, formally and informally, on-and-off projects, for technical topics and overall career development Contributions to local practice development and company-wide objectives, including proactively fostering new and existing client relationships in pursuit of project work you are excited about; engaging the next generation of WJE professionals; collaborating with practice leaders on knowledge-sharing and training initiatives; and participating in industry organizations, conferences, and technical committees.

Qualifications

Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Washington; SE licensure preferred (WJE will support and encourage your pursuit of SE licensure.) Bachelor’s degree or higher in civil/structural engineering or related field; master’s degree or PhD preferred Minimum 15 years of relevant industry experience, including technical and project management, with demonstrated expertise in problem-solving, condition assessment, failure investigation, analysis, and repair design of various structural materials and construction types (e.g., steel, concrete (post-tensioned and conventionally reinforced), wood, cross‑laminated timber (CLT), masonry, light‑gauge). The minimum years of experience may be flexible for candidates who can clearly demonstrate that they are already performing at or above the level of responsibility expected for this position. Demonstrated business development and client relationship skills Excellent technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. This position requires visual acuity and listening ability. Individuals must have the dexterity to operate office and field equipment. Requirements may also include: Ability to travel and attend meetings at various office, field, and construction sites Ability to perform inspections of buildings and other structures, both visually and with instruments Ability to safely work at heights, in confined spaces, and in a variety of occupationally hazardous locations, including outdoors with exposure to temperature extremes Ability to safely use and/or operate ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other access equipment Ability to lift and carry materials, tools, and other heavy equipment up to 50 lbs. Medically fit to utilize respiratory protection devices and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment Ability to drive and safely operate a motor vehicle.

Culture, Compensation, and Benefits

WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry-leading benefits: Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity. Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above-market total compensation. A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range: $115,650.00 - $192,750.00 WJE’s industry-leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits, including.

• Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high-deductible PPO options
• Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately
• Time off to care for yourself and others
• Investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.

Founded in 1956, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is an interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. Supported by unparalleled laboratory and field‑testing capabilities, our experts draw on more than seventy years of experience to deliver innovative and practical solutions grounded in deep technical expertise.