Senior Structural Engineer

About the role

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with a strong track record of delivering comprehensive solutions in engineering, design, fabrication, instrumentation and controls, and other specialized services. With expertise in fixed-price design/build/test projects, we serve both federal and commercial clients, consistently delivering high-quality results through innovation and technical precision. Our collaborative and experienced team is committed to providing practical, client-focused solutions tailored to address a wide range of challenges.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and test structural solutions for nuclear and hazardous waste remediation, equipment installation and support, chemical processing, and commercial projects.
• Perform design and analysis in compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., AISC, ASCE, ACI, IBC).
• Conduct structural calculations to verify equipment design and installations meet specified load combinations and contract requirements.
• Design lifting fixtures and tooling to support fabrication.
• Support multiple simultaneous projects and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with designers to produce accurate, detailed design drawings.
• Develop test plans and procedures, supporting system testing and validation.
• Maintain configuration control of baseline drawings and documents.
• Communicate task status, progress, and technical challenges to stakeholders, ensuring project deadlines are met.
• Review project deliverables for compliance with design requirements and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering (ABET-accredited) or higher.
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated structural engineering experience.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) or actively working toward licensure.
• Proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software such as Ansys or RISA-3D.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare design deliverables, resolve review comments, and finalize design packages.
• Strong attention to detail and proven ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize project needs and meet delivery schedules.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain government security clearance (required for federal contract work).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying IBC, AISC, and ACI standards to engineering projects.
• Department of Energy (DOE) project experience.
• Strong planning skills with ability to accurately estimate task durations.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality design deliverables under tight deadlines.
• Experience supporting nuclear or complex industrial projects.
• Willingness to expand technical skills and contribute to cross-functional project teams.

Key Success Attributes

• Structural Expert: Demonstrates mastery of structural design, analysis, and compliance with industry codes.
• Innovative Thinker: Develops practical, buildable solutions for complex project challenges.
• Collaborative: Works effectively across engineering disciplines, design teams, and project managers.
• Detail-Oriented: Produces accurate, compliant, and high-quality engineering outputs.
• Adaptable Leader: Thrives in a fast-paced environment, balancing technical execution with project leadership.