Civil Structural Engineer - Preconstruction

Primary Function

We are looking for an experienced Civil/Structural engineer to join our Preconstruction group, supporting the civil and structural scope on high voltage substation EPC projects. This is a technical and cross-functional role — sitting at the intersection of structural engineering, estimating, and procurement — where your work directly drives the accuracy and competitiveness of our bids.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform material takeoffs and cost estimates for substation EPC projects, from conceptual/FEL through firm price proposals.
• Develop concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, earthwork, grading, drainage, and civil infrastructure quantities from RFP/IFP, 30%, 60%, and/or IFC drawing sets.
• Prepare estimate basis documentation and assumption logs that clearly communicate scope inclusions, exclusions, and areas of risk or uncertainty.
• Perform value engineering analysis and identify cost-saving alternatives without compromising design intent or code compliance.
• Review geotechnical investigation reports and apply findings to foundation system design assumptions, bearing capacity, and soil parameters.
• Develop or review structure designs for substation equipment including seismic and wind loading per applicable codes (ACI, AISC, IEEE, ASCE 7).
• Create detailed scopes of work, engineering notes, and technical specifications that the procurement team can solicit and price from subcontractors and material vendors.
• Develop RFQ packages for civil/structural subcontract scopes including earthwork, concrete, structural steel, pile driving, and site utilities.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure lead times, material specs, and vendor qualifications align with project schedule and quality requirements.
• Review client-furnished electrical plans and coordinate civil/structural implications including equipment pad locations, conduit routing, grounding grid assumptions, and drainage considerations.
• Participate in constructibility reviews and identify site conditions, access constraints, or sequencing risks that affect civil/structural cost or schedule.
• Mentor junior civil/structural engineers; develop team capability in quantity takeoff methods, structural calculation standards, and estimating best practices.
• Absorb or support site investigations and walkdowns to gather field data and validate estimate assumptions.
• Lead or participate in internal proposal reviews; present civil/structural scope clearly to estimating leads, project managers, and executive stakeholders.
• Conduct or support change order preparation and scope adjustment documentation during project execution as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Construction Management from an ABET-accredited program is preferred; significant field or EPC experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• A minimum of 4-7 years of experience in civil/structural design, estimating, or a combined role on substation, transmission, or heavy power infrastructure EPC projects is required.
• Demonstrated experience with structural analysis and design for substation applications: equipment foundations, bus support structures, control building structures, retaining walls, and oil containment.
• Experience developing civil/structural estimates and quantity takeoffs for high voltage substation projects (4kV-765kV).
• P.E. license preferred; candidates actively pursuing licensure will be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable design codes: ACI 318, AISC 360, ASCE 7, IEEE 693, and relevant utility owner standards.
• Proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as RISA, L-Pile, or equivalent.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, vendors, and clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred

• Familiarity with utility owner design standards (CNP, ONCOR, AEP, Entergy, etc.).
• Exposure to industrial plants, BESS, solar, combined cycle generation, and/or transmission line civil scope.