Structural Practice Lead - Buildings

VHB; Watertown (MA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical insurance

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

VHB seeks a Structural Practice Lead for Buildings to set strategic direction and lead staff across several offices. You will oversee planning, analysis, detailing of new structures, and management of budgets and schedules for transportation-related projects.

The role requires 10+ years in building structures, PE/RA license, and proven BD capabilities, with hybrid/remote collaboration and travel as needed. Salary reflects $140k–$200k base along with rewards.

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

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

Team leadership

Communication

Revit

3D modeling

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or architecture

MS preferred

Tools

Revit

Job description

Structural Practice Lead - Buildings

Job Locations

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

Overview

About the Position

As VHB grows across its footprint, we need to hire a new 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.

Learn more about our Structures practice at VHB: Bridges & Structures | VHB

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-motived, with excellent attention to detail and qualityMotivated 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

The full-time annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $200,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

VHB has been named a U.S. Best Managed Company for 2026, marking its second consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition. VHB, was honored for excellence in strategy, execution, corporate culture, and governance/financial performance. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready 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

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. 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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