Leading Construction Engineer, for COWI in North America

About the role

We are seeking a Leading Construction Engineer to join our Oakland team. This role focuses on complex marine and heavy civil projects, with a focus on temporary works and structural systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of complex temporary works and construction engineering solutions, with a focus on marine structures (e.g., cofferdams, trestles) and lifting and erection methodologies.
• Perform and review structural analyses, calculations, and drawings to ensure stability and constructability during temporary and staged conditions (e.g., falsework, shoring, excavation support).
• Assess existing and in-progress structures for construction, demolition, and marine loading, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and project requirements.
• Serve as a technical authority in temporary works, maintaining design quality, overseeing QA/QC, and identifying and mitigating risks in complex, high-consequence environments.
• Provide technical leadership and project support, including client coordination, site involvement, and mentorship, contributing to effective delivery and long-term client relationships.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred)
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license (or ability to obtain in California), with demonstrated technical credibility and delivery expertise.
• Demonstrated technical foundation in structural analysis, load path behavior, and constructability, with proficiency in engineering design and analysis tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Bluebeam, MathCAD, RISA-3D).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage across clients, field teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities in dynamic environments, with flexibility to travel to project locations and work safely in active construction settings.
• Background in business development and team leadership, including pursuing proposals, expanding markets on the West Coast, and mentoring and building effective teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years in construction engineering, with a focus on temporary works and complex structural systems.

Skills

• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues, partners, and customers.
• Technical foundation in structural analysis, load path behavior, and constructability.
• Proficiency in engineering design and analysis tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Bluebeam, MathCAD, RISA-3D).
• Ability to lead technical work and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage across clients, field teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Flexibility to balance multiple priorities in dynamic environments, with the ability to travel to project locations and work safely in active construction settings.
• Experience in business development and team leadership, including pursuing proposals, expanding markets on the West Coast, and mentoring and building effective teams.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangement
• Top-up parental and childbirth recovery leave
• Fantastic close-knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share
• Minimum 3 weeks vacation to start
• Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity
• Paid sick leave
• Annual fitness subsidy - yes, you can use this for a ski pass, yoga, or gym membership
• 401K contribution matching with generous company match
• Personal and professional development fund
• Parking or public transit allowance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer-paid premiums
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• Referral incentive program
• Frequent social events

Pay

Base compensation: $121,600 to $193,800 for Oakland only. Actual compensation is subject to variations due to education, experience, skill set, and location.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule