Lead Structural (Buildings) Engineer

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time Lead Structural (Buildings) Engineer to work out of Arlington, VA. This position will support our Federal Programs AEC Team on structural engineering projects for federal, defense, and public-sector clients. The role is a good fit for an experienced structural engineer who is ready to lead major portions of structural design work, operate with greater autonomy, provide technical direction to project teams, and help mentor developing staff without necessarily serving as a direct people manager.

Our Federal Programs Team is comprised of highly motivated engineers, architects and interior designers with a variety of technical backgrounds working in several key locations across the US and internationally. Major clients are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. National Park Service. Our strength is derived from the diversity of our federal work and our staff.

Why Join Our Structural Team

Our structural team supports federal, defense, and public-sector clients on practical, technically meaningful facilities. The work is mission-focused, technically varied, and grounded in real operational needs, with constraints related to security, budgets, schedule, constructability, and multidisciplinary coordination.

For a lead engineer, this role offers the opportunity to own significant technical work, guide structural design approach, coordinate directly with other disciplines and clients, review work prepared by others, and develop as a technical leader within the Federal Programs practice.

Your Impact

• Lead structural analysis and design of new and existing buildings, including gravity and lateral systems, foundations, and structural components constructed of steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.
• Develop and oversee structural drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, and design documentation using site observations, existing-condition information, geotechnical reports, and other project data.
• Successfully deliver design projects in design-bid-build, Design-Build, or Alternative Delivery frameworks.
• Establish structural design concepts, select appropriate structural systems and materials, and coordinate structural requirements with architectural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection disciplines.
• Serve as the structural point of contact for assigned tasks or project areas, coordinating directly with internal project managers, discipline leads, clients, and review agencies as appropriate.
• Review structural calculations, design drawings, specifications, reports, and building information models prepared by others for technical completeness, coordination, constructability, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and project criteria.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and quality review support for junior and mid-level staff, including helping staff develop engineering judgment and sound design documentation practices.
• Lead or support site visits and construction-phase services, including documenting existing conditions and construction progress, reviewing submittals, and responding to requests for information while complying with applicable safety requirements and site-specific procedures.
• Support project delivery by planning discipline work, identifying technical issues early, communicating risks, and helping drive structural deliverables to completion within scope, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Remain current in structural engineering codes, standards, federal design criteria, and industry practices relevant to building design and assessment.
• Complete required company, safety, and project-specific training.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, or equivalent.
• 7+ years of relevant post-education experience in the analysis and design of building structures.
• Professional Engineer license.
• Advanced knowledge of structural building codes, design standards, and structural engineering principles.
• Advanced proficiency with structural analysis, design, and modeling software such as ETABS, SAP2000, RISA-3D, RAM Concept, SAFE, Revit, AutoCAD, or similar tools.
• Experience preparing and reviewing structural calculations, drawings, specifications, reports, and design documentation.
• Experience leading portions of structural design work and coordinating structural requirements with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with engineering and non-engineering team members, clients, and review agencies.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level staff.
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, sound judgment, prioritization, and accountability for technical deliverables in a dynamic work environment.
• Working knowledge of QA/QC expectations for structural design deliverables.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
• The selected candidate must have the ability to work in the United States immediately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• Structural Engineer license, or ability to obtain.
• 3+ years of experience in Alternative Delivery projects.

• DBIA Certification.

• Experience with federal design standards, including UFCs and UFGS.
• DoD, USACE, NAVFAC, or other federal client experience.
• Seismic design and assessment experience.
• Experience with renovation, assessment, or adaptive reuse of existing building structures.
• Experience supporting projects in OCONUS or mission-critical federal environments.
• A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government-issued Secret level security clearance.

WSP Benefits: 

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings. 

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $122,700 - $182,200

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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