Structural Engineer (Entry-Level)

Job Title: Structural EngineerJob Description This role focuses on the structural design of steel decking, joists, and joist girders for a wide range of commercial and industrial projects, including retail buildings, schools, and warehouses. You will apply Steel Deck Institute and Steel Joist Institute standards, perform detailed structural analysis, and provide engineering guidance across detailing, design, sales, and production teams. This position offers a contract-to-hire path with strong bonus potential, professional development opportunities, and a supportive, employee-focused culture. Responsibilities Design steel decking in accordance with Steel Deck Institute (SDI) standards to ensure structural integrity and code compliance.Design joists and joist girders in accordance with Steel Joist Institute (SJI) standards.Develop roof and floor designs for projects such as retail buildings, schools, warehouses, and other commercial and industrial structures.Review and develop engineering tools specific to steel deck design to improve accuracy and efficiency.Interpret contract documents and specifications to determine structural product design requirements.Communicate with architects, engineers of record, and fabricators to clarify design requirements and resolve technical issues.Provide clear engineering direction and support to detailing, design, sales, and production departments throughout the project lifecycle.Collaborate with the estimating team to review project materials and structural requirements when new jobs are received.Perform engineering reviews prior to releasing designs to the detailing team, with a strong focus on load calculations, measurements, and structural performance.Assist detailers by answering technical questions and reviewing drawings and RFIs submitted by designers.Provide specific guidance to designers on changes that require additional review, including unusual conditions, special notes, or unique roof and building configurations.Independently design drawings and structural layouts for complex or non-standard projects, such as double-pitched or otherwise atypical structures.Size and calculate pour stops for concrete around building perimeters and other relevant locations.Evaluate and recommend adjustments for field modifications, including addressing damaged parts, with a focus on load calculations and structural safety.Become conversant in AISC, SJI, and SDI codes and specifications, and apply them consistently in daily design work. Essential Skills Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or equivalent education qualifying for Civil Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure.Minimum Civil Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) certification with successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.Strong interest in structural steel design, with a primary focus on steel deck design and secondary focus on steel joist design.Demonstrated knowledge of structural engineering principles, including structural analysis and structural steel design.Ability to perform detailed load calculations and measurements for steel decking, joists, and joist girders.Proficiency in civil and structural engineering concepts relevant to building structures.Good verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external design professionals.Good written communication skills for clear documentation, reports, and correspondence.Ability to interpret and apply Steel Deck Institute (SDI) and Steel Joist Institute (SJI) standards in design work. Additional Skills & Qualifications Prior experience in the steel deck industry or structural steel design.Prior experience in the steel joist industry.Civil Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification.Experience with structural engineering software such as Ansys, STAAD, MathCAD, or AutoCAD.Experience with structural steel design for commercial and industrial buildings.Interest in continuous learning and becoming fully conversant with AISC, SJI, and SDI codes and specifications.Ability to work effectively in a team environment with engineers, detailers, and other technical staff.Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, code-compliant designs. Work Environment The position is a 6‑month contract-to-hire role with hourly pay equivalent to the eventual salary rate and strong bonus potential, including quarterly ROA bonuses, annual profit-sharing bonuses, and annual RSU bonuses. The organization provides vacation and holiday benefits during the first year, with structured accrual of paid time off based on hire date and tenure. Additional benefits include tuition reimbursement and college scholarships for further education. The work environment is casual yet deadline-driven, with each engineer working in their own cubicle within an open-concept office. The engineering and detailing teams comprise more than 15 professionals and are continuing to grow. The office is located in a newly renovated downtown building with abundant natural light and convenient access to food and recreation options. The culture emphasizes flexibility, innovation, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, with a focus on retaining and supporting employees through meaningful incentives and professional growth opportunities. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Wayne, IN. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $38.46/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Fort Wayne,IN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.