Principal Structural Engineer

Rimkus Consulting

Chicago, IL

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$130,100–$195,100 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Architectural Services, Asset Management, Automation, Best Practices, Budget Management, Budgeting, Building Codes, Building Design, Business Development, Change Control, Change Management, Change Requests/Orders, Civil Engineering, Coaching, Communication Skills, Concrete, Construction, Construction Drawings, Construction Planning, Construction Support, Continuous Improvement, Cost Control, Customer Relations, Customer Support/Service, Decision Support, Depth Perception, Develop and Maintain Customers, Document Control, Documentation, Documentation Standards, Driver's License, Engineering, Engineering Management, Establish Priorities, Feasibility Analysis, Forecasting, Identify Issues, Industry Standards, Investigative Reports, Leadership, Lift/Move 50 Pounds, Maintain Compliance, Masonry, Mentoring, Multitasking, Nondestructive Testing (NDT), OSHA, Onboarding, Options Analysis, Organizational Skills, Physical Demands, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Professional Engineer, Project Design, Project Engineering, Project Estimates, Project Planning, Project Schedule, Project/Program Management, Property Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Metrics, Reporting Skills, Resolve Customer Issues, Resource Management, Retail, Retrofit, Risk, Risk Management, Safety Training, Safety/Work Safety, Sales Management, Scaffolding, Schedule Development, Stability Analysis, Staff Requirements, Strategic Planning, Structural Engineering, Structural Evaluation, Support Documentation, Sustainability, Talent Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Drawing, Technical Recruiting, Technical Support, Technical Writing, Technical/Engineering Design, Thought Leadership, Time Management, White Papers, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills, Zoning
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
POSTED
2 days ago

At Rimkus, our Built Environment Solutions team operates on a global scale with the advantage of local expertise. Our licensed engineers, architects, and technical specialists bring deep knowledge of regional requirements and industry best practices, enabling us to deliver customized, high‑quality solutions that maximize the success of our clients' investments. With a comprehensive portfolio that spans nearly every engineering and architectural discipline, we help organizations plan, build, and manage assets with confidence.What sets us apart is our forward‑thinking approach. We integrate carbon footprint reduction, resiliency, maintainability, and long‑term sustainability into everything we do, helping clients not just meet today's needs but prepare for tomorrow's challenges. From design and pre‑construction through construction, closeout, and ongoing operations, we provide tailored support at every stage. By identifying potential issues before they arise, we mitigate risks, extend asset life, and reduce costly unplanned repairs. Whether an asset is newly constructed, leased, or purchased, our innovative solutions empower clients to operate more efficiently and sustainably. Joining Rimkus means being part of a team that's shaping the future of the built environment – one smart, resilient solution at a time.OverviewIn this position, you will use your technical knowledge to evaluate new and existing buildings and design solutions for the complex and unique problems for our clients. New projects include residential, multi‑family, commercial, retail, industrial and hospitality properties. Repairs involve buildings damaged by fire, wind, flood, and impact. The candidate must have experience with adaptive reuse of older buildings and enhancements to existing facilities to accommodate changes in use and implementation of equipment and machinery.The Salary Range for this position is $130,100 – $195,100 and is dependent on education, experience, location and certifications/licensure.Duties and ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Structural EngineeringLead the preparation and review of construction drawings, specifications, and structural calculations for new and existing structures.Oversee complex structural evaluations of existing (and sometimes damaged) buildings, including load path verification and stability assessments.Direct investigations and condition assessments to determine appropriate repair or retrofit strategies for damaged, deteriorated, or under‑performing structural systems.Lead design assignment for upgrades, maintenance, restoration, adaptive reuse, and rehabilitation of existing buildings (including phased construction planning).Apply advanced engineering judgment to resolve technically challenging issues involving constructability, sequencing, and risk reduction.Develop and review repair details and technical specifications (means/methods considerations where appropriate and within professional role boundaries).Codes, Standards & Quality AssuranceEnsure all deliverables comply with applicable building codes, standards, and industry best practices (local and national as applicable).Research current and historical codes, zoning/ordinance impacts (when relevant), and determine applicable code upgrades for renovation/retrofit scopes.Establish quality control standards for the team (checklists, calculation templates, drawing standards, peer review processes).Perform senior‑level technical reviews of calculations, drawings, reports, and specifications produced by others (QA/QC sign‑off).Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) where appropriate, including sealing/signing documents in accordance with licensure requirements and firm policy.Fieldwork, Site Support & Construction Phase ServicesPlan and lead field assessments, including working from ladders, lifts, scaffolds, rooftops, and within confined spaces as required (following safety protocols).Coordinate and direct site investigations (openings, probes, material sampling, NDT, monitoring), including managing specialty sub‑consultants when needed.Provide construction‑phase engineering support, including:Responses to RFIs and submittal reviewsSite observations and field reportsEvaluation of unforeseen conditions and design modificationsReview of temporary works interfaces (as required/appropriate)Communicate technical findings clearly to clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders to support timely decision‑making.Team Leadership, Mentoring & Resource Management (Team Leader Enhancements)Act as team leader responsible for delivering projects successfully across scope, schedule, budget, and quality.Assign and manage work across project engineers, designers, and drafters; balance utilization and capability development.Mentor and coach staff, including technical development, report‑writing, design approach, and professional growth planning.Lead internal coordination between disciplines (architecture, MEP, envelope, geotech, etc.) to ensure integrated project delivery.Support hiring and onboarding as needed (interviews, role definition, training plans).Build a strong safety and quality culture, reinforcing field safety, ethical decision‑making, and documentation standards.Project & Financial ManagementDevelop and manage project plans, including execution strategy, deliverable schedules, and milestone tracking.Prepare and manage budgets, including staffing forecasts, burn‑rate tracking, and change management.Lead scope definition and change control, including change orders, additional services, and managing client expectations.Manage project risk, including technical risk, safety risk, and contractual risk (in coordination with leadership/PMO).Client Service & Business Development SupportServe as a practice‑area expert in client meetings, providing technical insight, options analysis, and recommendations.Support Business Development efforts by:Participating in pursuit strategy and interviewsReviewing/authoring technical proposalsDeveloping fee estimates and scope assumptionsPresenting qualifications and project approachesMaintaining and growing client relationships through responsiveness, technical credibility, and consistent delivery.Reporting, Documentation & Professional PracticePrepare and/or review technical reports (assessment reports, feasibility studies, repair recommendations, load ratings, basis‑of‑design narratives).Document field observations and investigations with clear photos, sketches, and defensible engineering conclusions.Ensure compliance with professional ethics, licensure obligations, and firm standards for recordkeeping and document control.Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with senior leadership responsibilities.Suggested Team Leader AdditionsLead lessons‑learned reviews and continuously improve standards, tools, and workflows.Develop technical thought leadership (white papers, conference presentations, internal training).Champion innovation (analysis tools, BIM coordination, standard details, automation of calculations/deliverables).Required Skills and AbilitiesStructural Engineering Expertise (Technical Depth)Expert knowledge of commercial and residential structural systems, including gravity/lateral systems across common materials (steel, concrete, masonry, wood, light gauge, etc.).Strong material and system selection ability, choosing appropriate solutions based on:Building use/occupancy and performance requirementsSite conditions and location (wind/seismic/snow, corrosion, exposure)Constructability, lifecycle cost, and maintainabilityAbility to perform and/or overseeLoad determination and combinationsPerformance criteria definition (serviceability, strength, drift/deflection/vibration)Member sizing/selection and connection conceptsRetrofit/repair design strategy developmentStrong diagnostic/forensic mindset for existing buildings: interpreting distress, damage mechanisms, and load‑path behavior.Codes, Standards & Technical Quality (QA/QC)Proficiency with building codes and referenced standards (current and historical where needed), including the ability to interpret intent and apply to existing‑building scenarios.High competency in QA/QC leadershipEstablishing calculation/drawing/report standardsPerforming senior technical reviews and constructability reviewsCoaching others on quality expectations and risk reductionAbility to manage engineering risk, making defensible decisions supported by documentation and sound judgment.Communication, Reporting & DocumentationExcellent technical writing skills, producing clear and defensible condition assessments and investigation reports.Repair/retrofit recommendations and basis‑of‑design narratives.Technical memoranda, summaries, and client‑facing deliverables.Ability to translate complex findings into practical options, impacts, and recommendations for clients and stakeholders.Strong presentation and meeting leadership skills, including communicating scope assumptions, risks, and next steps.Project Leadership, Budgeting & Delivery ManagementProven ability to develop and manage project scope, schedules, and staffing plans.Budgets, burn rates, and forecasting.Change management (additional services, change orders, re‑scoping).Proven ability to develop and manageProject scope, schedules, and staffing plans.Budgets, burn rates, and forecasting.Change management (additional services, change orders, re‑scoping).Skilled at managing multiple deadlines and deliverable typesTechnical condition reportsRepair designs and bid documentsAddenda, construction documentation, and revisions during constructionLead teams across new and existing construction, coordinating internal resources and sub‑consultants to deliver on time and within budget.Team Leadership, Collaboration & Professional PresenceStrong people‑leadership capability, including delegation, mentorship, and performance support for engineers/designers.Collaborative, approachable leadership style with the ability to work effectively across disciplines (architecture/MEP/Envelope/Geotech/Contractors).Client‑facing confidence and professionalism – comfortable interacting with staff, clients, property owners, and contractors.Ability to set expectations and drive accountability while maintaining positive working relationships.Client Development & Relationship ManagementInitiate, build, and maintain trusted client relationships, creating repeat work through reliability and technical credibility.Business‑development support skillsParticipating in client meetings and pursuitsHelping define scope and fee assumptionsContributing technical content for proposals/interviewsConsultative mindset: focuses on solving client problems, not just completing tasks.Judgment, Independence & Execution Under PressureAbility to work independently with strong judgment, critical thinking, and decision‑making in ambiguous conditions.Comfort operating under pressure, prioritizing effectively and meeting deadlines without sacrificing safety or quality.Highly organized and adaptable, managing competing priorities across multiple active projects.Common Team Leader Skill Additions (Recommended)Strategic planning ability (practice growth, staffing needs, technical service line development).Process improvement and standardization skills (templates, checklists, repeatable workflows).Coaching and talent development focus, including training plans and technical upskilling.Required Experience, Education and CertificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil/Structural) is required.Advanced degree (M.S. Structural Engineering or similar) is a plus.Licensure & CertificationsProfessional Engineer (P.E.) license (Civil Engineering) – required (active and in good standing).Structural Engineer (S.E.) license – preferred (or ability/intent to obtain where applicable).Ability to obtain comity licensure in additional states/jurisdictions as project needs require – preferred.OSHA/Safety training (e.g., OSHA 10/30) – preferred for field‑intensive roles.Experience15+ years of progressive structural engineering experience – required, including:Structural design for new and existing buildingsCondition assessments/investigations and development of repair/retrofit concepts (as applicable)Preparation and review of calculations, drawings, and technical reportsDemonstrated team leadership experience (formal or informal) – preferred:Task leadership, mentoring, QA/QC reviews, and coordinating deliverables across disciplinesContributing to scope/budget/schedule management and change controlSoftware & Technical ToolsAutoCAD proficiency – required.BIM proficiency (e.g., Revit) and coordination workflows – preferred.Experience with common structural analysis/design tools – preferred.Other RequirementsValid driver's license and reliable transportation.Ability to perform field work in construction and existing‑building environments (rooftops, ladders/lifts, confined spaces) as required.Physical Demands, Overtime, and TravelPhysical Demands – employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and drive a motor vehicle to client sites or job sites. Employee may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Clear vision and depth perception are also necessary.Additionally, the employee must remain sharp, focused, and alert when interacting with clients, preparing written reports, and testifying in deposition or trial, requiring strong mental aptitude, cognition, and concentration.Overtime – this position is salaried with exempt FLSA status. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday‑Friday, with one hour for lunch. Overtime may be required as needed.Travel Requirements – up to 25%; some overnight travel may be required.Additional InformationWe offer a competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability, employer‑matching 401(k), and opportunities for advancement.We value a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. We are committed to a work environment that supports and celebrates unique perspectives and experiences. If you share our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, we encourage you to apply for our open positions.Rimkus is a Fair Employment Opportunity (Equal Employment Opportunity) Employer and will make all employment‑related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, or veteran status.This job description is subject to change and does not constitute a contract for employment or a guarantee of continued employment.#J-18808-Ljbffr

About the Company

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Rimkus Consulting