Structural Engineer

hireneXus · Itasca, IL · 1 mo ago

On-siteEngineering$100k–$130k/yrFull-time

Location: Itasca, IL (Onsite)

About the Opportunity

Our client is a respected, family-owned industrial manufacturer with decades of experience designing and fabricating custom steel structures, modular buildings, and skid-mounted systems. As demand for modular and code-compliant structures continues to grow, the company is expanding its engineering capabilities by creating a new Structural Engineer position. This role represents a strategic investment in bringing structural engineering expertise in-house. While licensed engineering work is currently completed by external PE firms, internal teams perform preliminary analysis using SolidWorks FEA and traditional engineering calculations. The goal is to strengthen internal capabilities, improve design efficiency, and gradually reduce reliance on outside engineering consultants.

Responsibilities

Perform structural analysis for modular buildings, steel frames, and skid-mounted structures, evaluating gravity, wind, seismic, snow, transportation, and lifting loads.
Design structural systems including floors, walls, roofs, framing members, and connection details using sound engineering principles and applicable design codes.
Prepare engineering calculations, structural drawings, and technical documentation to support permitting, customer approvals, fabrication, and field installation.
Partner with architectural, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and project management teams to deliver coordinated, buildable solutions.
Incorporate transportation, lifting, rigging, and installation requirements into structural designs to ensure safe delivery and site assembly.
Develop standardized structural calculations and design methodologies for projects that do not require engineering seals, improving consistency across the organization.
For licensed engineers, provide engineering seals where applicable. For engineers pursuing licensure, perform structural analysis and optimization that supports expanding the company's internal engineering capabilities over time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
3–7 years of experience performing structural analysis and steel design calculations using RISA, SAP2000, or similar structural analysis software.
Strong knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA) and structural engineering applications, with working experience in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or comparable 3D CAD software.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate structures for gravity, wind, seismic, snow, transportation, and lifting loads while ensuring compliance with applicable building codes and engineering standards.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, architecture, project management, and cross-functional teams.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment.

Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license; Illinois Structural Engineer (S.E.) licensure is highly preferred.
Experience designing modular, prefabricated, or transportable structures, including transportation requirements, lifting and rigging analysis, and field installation considerations.
Experience developing engineering calculation packages and supporting documentation for permitting, customer approvals, fabrication, and construction.
Familiarity with project management platforms such as Microsoft Project, Procore, or similar software.

Pay

$100k to $130k base, tiered by licensure (top of range reserved for a fully licensed Illinois Structural Engineer)

Why Join This Team?

This position offers the opportunity to build and shape an engineering function rather than simply maintain an existing one. The company is open to candidates at different stages of their professional journey—from experienced structural engineers working toward licensure to fully licensed Structural Engineers. Licensed professionals will have the opportunity to bring engineering work currently outsourced to external firms back into the organization. Engineers who are not yet licensed will gain ownership of meaningful structural design responsibilities while working in an environment that supports long-term professional growth and licensure. As the company's modular construction business continues to expand, this role will play a critical part in defining engineering standards, establishing best practices, and influencing how structural engineering is executed across future projects.

Company Culture

The organization is known for its strong employee retention and long-term career opportunities. Leadership values collaboration, continuous improvement, and investing in its people. This is an ideal opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving complex structural challenges, developing new processes, and contributing to a growing business. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise with a hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset and enjoy working closely with experienced manufacturing and engineering teams to deliver innovative, high-quality structural solutions.