Structural Practice Lead - Buildings

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; Tysons (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class benefits

Flexible, hybrid work environment

Learning and development support

Job summary

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. seeks a Practice Lead for their building structural practice in Tysons, Virginia. You will set strategic direction, lead staff across offices, and oversee project design, especially for transportation structures.

This role demands strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit in a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates have a civil engineering or architecture background, significant experience, and a commitment to staff mentorship and business development.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in architectural or structural design.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience working on structures for state agencies and transportation authorities.
• PE or RA License.

Responsibilities

• Key client and contract management.
• Coordination with Architecture partners.
• Generate new business development opportunities.

Skills

Strong technical skills with knowledge of various structural systems for building construction

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Ability to lead and collaborate with a team

Working knowledge of Revit and 3D modeling software

Strong organizational and time management skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or architecture

MS preferred

Job description

Location: United States, Virginia, Tysons Corner

Date Posted: May 21, 2026

Job Locations: US-MA-Watertown | US-MA-Boston | US-NY-New York City | US-DC-Washington | US-VA-Tysons Corner

Salary Range: $140,000-190,000 (Boston/Watertown, MA and Washington, DC); $150,000-200,000 (NYC)

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB has an immediate need for a Practice Lead to help expand our growing building structural practice. In this position, you would help set the strategic direction for the building structural practice, collaborate with and lead staff in multiple offices, and support competitive proposals. You would also lead the planning, analysis, design, and detailing of new structures, with a focus on transportation-related structures for state agencies and transportation authorities. The ideal candidate should possess a "can-do" attitude, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to work independently as well as with a team in a dynamic, fast paced, and fun environment.

The position includes significant opportunities for personal and professional development and growth within VHB. Among its recent recognition, VHB won the 2025 Best Managed Company award, recognizing its impactful development and infrastructure projects across our footprint.

Responsibilities

• Key client and contract management
• Coordination with Architecture partners
• Technical oversight and review
• Generate new business development opportunities and prepare winning proposals
• Lead go/no go and partnering decisions on strategic pursuits
• Project scoping and development
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with leading external disciplines (i.e., architecture and MEP consultant partners)
• Supervising and mentoring younger staff
• Quality management
• Preliminary and final structural design
• Monitoring of project budgets and schedules
• Establish and track project milestones as well as quarterly business goals
• Involvement and input in key personnel decisions

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead and collaborate with a team of staff working remotely
• Must possess strong technical skills with knowledge of various structural systems for building construction
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Enthusiasm to learn, seek out opportunities, and take responsibility
• Working knowledge of Revit and 3D modeling software for QC and mentoring purposes
• Proactive and self-motivated, with excellent attention to detail and quality
• Motivated to mentor junior staff
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or architecture, MS preferred
• 10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in the architectural or structural design of buildings.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience working on structures for state agencies and transportation authorities.
• PE or RA License
• Demonstrated success in completing structural designs and developing contract plans in conformance with accepted engineering standards and procedures for public and private clients
• Past business development success and industry relationships
• Ability to travel as needed to client sites

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position located in Boston/Watertown, MA and Washington, DC is $140,000-190,000 and for the position located in NYC is $150,000-200,000.

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people-driven, future-ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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