Structural Engineer - Vertical

HDR; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced Structural Engineer to join the Building Engineering Services (BES) group. This role may be based in HDR offices across Kentucky and Tennessee, and involves designing data centers, reviewing documents, and coordinating with multiple disciplines.

You will lead design development and construction document phases, ensuring code compliance and on-time delivery. A PE license and prior consulting experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Requires professional engineer license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered.
• Previous structural engineer experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, structural analysis and design software.

Responsibilities

• Design buildings for Data Centers, including new builds, retrofits, and colocations.
• Review structural documents for conflicts with other disciplines.
• Write and edit structural specifications and perform calculations.
• Coordinate the structural design team through design development and contract documents.
• Participate in code compliance reviews with governing agencies.
• Lead design development sessions with Project Manager and other disciplines.
• Coordinate workload through design and construction document phases.
• Incorporate changes and respond to RFIs and change orders.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

BS degree in Architectural Engineering; Structural emphasis

Tools

AutoCAD

RISA

Staad

SAP

Tedds

RAM

ETABS

SAFE

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures; it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next‑generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

HDR is looking for an experienced Structural Engineer to become part of our Building Engineering Services (BES) Business Group. This position may be based in any of our offices across Kentucky and Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Design buildings for Data Centers, which will include: new builds, retrofits, and colocations.
• Review structural documents for areas of conflict with all disciplines.
• Write and edit structural specifications, select procedures, materials and their respective sizes, and complete necessary calculations.
• Independently coordinate the work of the structural design team through the design development and contract document phases of a project.
• Establish meetings and participate in reviews with various governing agencies for code compliance.
• Conduct design development and contract document work sessions at project site in conjunction with the Project Manager and other disciplines.
• Take responsibility for coordinating workload through design development and construction document phases to complete the documents on schedule.
• Coordinate and assist with affected disciplines, with any addendum, requests for information, change proposal requests and change orders, and incorporate agreed‑upon changes into the project documents.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or BS degree in Architectural Engineering; Structural emphasis.
• A minimum of 3 years structural engineer experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license).
• Previous structural engineer experience.
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RISA, Staad, SAP, Tedds, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar.
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States‑Tennessee‑Brentwood Other Locations: United States‑Kentucky‑Louisville, United States‑Tennessee‑Memphis, United States‑Kentucky‑Paducah, United States‑Tennessee‑Chattanooga, United States‑Kentucky‑Lexington, United States‑Kentucky‑Elizabethtown Industry: Building Engineering Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular Business Class: Building Structural Job Posting: Jul 9, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.