Structural Project Manager - Historic Preservation & Seismic Retrofit

holmes; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model (3 days in office)

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision,

Life, AD&D, Disability, and other ins.

401(k) retirement savings with Company

Job summary

Holmes US in Portland seeks a Structural Project Manager to lead complex historic and existing building projects, focusing on seismic retrofits and preservation. You’ll guide scope, schedule, and budget while mentoring the next generation of structural engineers.

You’ll influence project delivery across US and New Zealand teams, bring ASCE 41 expertise, and strengthen client relationships with preservation partners. Portland thrives on historic URMs and seismic resilience.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of structural engineering experience with existing building assessment and retrofit.
• Strong verbal and written communication with stakeholders and preservation clients.
• Knowledge of ASCE 41 and non-ductile concrete, historic renovations, and peer reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead seismic retrofit and historic preservation projects from kickoff to completion, managing scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships
• Develop innovative structural solutions for existing buildings across systems and materials
• Drive non-linear analysis and performance-based design work with ASCE 41 methodologies
• Serve as a trusted technical resource and peer reviewer on complex assessments and retrofits
• Mentor and develop rising engineers, building a team culture of technical excellence
• Cultivate and maintain lasting client relationships with architects, owners, developers, and the preservation community
• Collaborate with Holmes offices across the US and New Zealand on multi-office project delivery

Skills

6+ years of structural engineering

PE license

Strong communication

Ability to manage multiple projects

Peer reviews / mentoring

ASCE 41 knowledge

Team leadership / mentorship

Excellent problem solving

Hands-on with retrofits

Project production delivery

Strong client relationships

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering

PE license (implied)

Tools

ETABS

SAP

RISA

Job description

Ready to lead the work that keeps Portland's most iconic buildings standing for another century?

We're looking for an experienced Structural Project Manager to join our Portland team - someone who gets genuinely excited about the intersection of historic preservation, seismic resilience, and the unique challenge of making old buildings perform like new ones. If that's you, keep reading.

Who We Are:

We're Holmes US - a structural engineering firm that's anything but boring! With a growing Portland office and roots in New Zealand, we've built a reputation for tackling the projects other firms find too complex, too technically demanding, or just too interesting to pass up. Portland is one of the most exciting cities in the country for existing building work - a rich stock of historic URMs, non-ductile concrete, and century-old timber frames, set against the backdrop of one of the most seismically active regions in the world. We're right where we want to be.

Your Impact

As a Project Manager on our Portland team, you'll lead the full lifecycle of complex historic and existing building projects - from early assessment and scope development through construction administration - while growing the next generation of structural engineers around you.

• Lead seismic retrofit and historic preservation projects from kickoff to completion, managing scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships
• Develop innovative structural solutions for existing buildings across a wide range of systems and materials - URMs, non-ductile concrete, historic timber frames, and everything in between
• Drive non-linear analysis and performance-based design work, with a focus on ASCE 41 methodologies
• Serve as a trusted technical resource and peer reviewer on complex assessments and retrofits
• Mentor and develop rising engineers, building a team culture of technical excellence and curiosity
• Cultivate and maintain lasting client relationships with architects, owners, developers, and the preservation community
• Collaborate with Holmes offices across the US and New Zealand on multi-office project delivery

You'll Thrive Here If You Have:

• 6+ years of structural engineering experience, with a strong focus on existing building assessment and retrofit
• PE license required, SE licence preferred
• B.S. or M.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering
• Deep knowledge of ASCE 41
• Hands-on experience with non-ductile concrete buildings, historic renovations, and peer reviews
• Familiarity with Oregon's seismic policy landscape and URM retrofit programmes is a strong plus
• Proven track record leading or mentoring engineers through project production and delivery
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including with non-technical stakeholders and preservation clients
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced proficiency in ETABS, SAP, RISA

Why You'll Love It Here

Engineering That Excites- Portland is a living laboratory for existing building work - historic URMs in Old Town, mid-century concrete in the Lloyd District, converted industrial warehouses in the Pearl - and the Cascadia Subduction Zone makes resilience more than a buzzword here. You'll lead projects that genuinely matter to the communities that depend on these buildings, backed by the full technical depth of a US and New Zealand network.

Growth & Leadership- This is a role where you shape things. You'll lead project teams, mentor rising engineers, help build client relationships, and have a real voice in how we grow our Portland practice. We invest seriously in professional development and will support you at every step of your career.

The Good Stuff- Flexible hybrid work, work-life balance we actually take seriously, a collaborative and supportive culture, and a team that will debate ASCE 41 acceptance criteria with the same enthusiasm they bring to planning the next team outing.

Benefits Offered:

Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Hybrid work model (3 days in office)
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability and other voluntary plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical & Childcare
• Health Savings Account
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time off - Vacation, Sick, Personal Leave, Family Leave for new parents, and Community Service time
• Paid Holidays
• Pre-Tax Commuter Transit
• 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributionCompany sponsored events
• Diversity / Inclusion programs and initiatives

Our Commitment:

At Holmes, we believe in building teams as diverse as the communities we serve. We provide equal support and opportunities for all our people to thrive, grow, and develop. Dream big - we'll help you get there!

Curious about the work? From seismic retrofits of Portland's most beloved historic landmarks to performance-based assessments of iconic structures up and down the West Coast, you can explore our project stories at holmes.us/perspective. We're not just talking about pushing boundaries - we're doing it.

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