Structural Project Engineer

Pay: $110,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Job description:

Structural Engineer / Project Manager – Transportation

Lisle, Illinois (Chicago Metro Area)

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Lisle, IL

Experience Required: 10-18+ Years

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications

$110,000-160,000

Additional Compensation: Year-End Performance Bonus Available

Lead Important Transportation Infrastructure Projects with us.

We are a growing civil engineering firm with a strong reputation among transportation agencies and consulting partners. We are committed to delivering high-quality engineering solutions, building lasting client relationships, and providing exceptional service.

We are seeking an experienced Structural Engineer / Project Manager to join our transportation team in the Chicago metropolitan area. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned structural engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with project management, client relationship, and team leadership skills.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience managing structural engineering projects for Illinois transportation agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois Tollway, and county transportation departments. You understand Illinois transportation design standards, can lead multidisciplinary teams, and know how to deliver quality projects on time and within budget.

Based in our Lisle, Illinois office, you will have the opportunity to lead a variety of public-sector transportation projects and collaborate with colleagues across our markets, including Dallas and Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri.

If you are ready to take ownership of challenging projects, build client relationships, mentor engineering talent, and contribute to a growing transportation practice, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Do

As a Structural Engineer / Project Manager, you will oversee transportation structure projects from planning and design through final deliverables. You will serve as a trusted client contact while providing technical direction, managing project performance, and supporting the continued growth of our transportation practice.

Project Management & Leadership

• Manage structural engineering projects for IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, counties, and other public-sector transportation clients.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and technical deliverables.
• Lead and coordinate internal engineering teams, subconsultants, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor project progress, manage competing priorities, and proactively resolve technical and scheduling challenges.
• Mentor junior engineers and support professional development and team growth.

Structural Engineering & Design

• Lead and oversee the design of bridges, culverts, retaining walls, sign structures, and other transportation-related structures.
• Apply applicable IDOT Bridge Manual requirements, Bureau of Bridges and Structures policies, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and Illinois Tollway design standards.
• Review and guide the preparation of structural calculations, plans, technical reports, cost estimates, and other engineering documentation.
• Provide technical guidance on structural analysis, design alternatives, and engineering solutions.
• Ensure designs meet applicable agency requirements, project specifications, and quality standards.

Quality Assurance & Project Delivery

• Oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes for structural engineering deliverables.
• Review technical work for accuracy, completeness, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Manage project risks and help ensure assignments are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines to deliver integrated transportation solutions.

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Support business development initiatives and help identify new project opportunities.
• Assist with proposal preparation, project pursuit strategies, and client interviews.
• Contribute to the development of scopes of work, staffing plans, and project approaches for new opportunities.
• Help strengthen SE3's reputation and relationships with transportation agencies and consulting partners.

Bridge Inspection Experience – A Plus

• Experience performing bridge inspections is beneficial.
• Illinois NBIS Program Manager or Team Leader certification is a plus, but not required.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a confident, technically capable engineering professional who understands Illinois transportation projects and can balance engineering excellence with client service, team leadership, and successful project delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
• 10-18 years of progressive structural engineering design experience, with a focus on transportation structures.
• Prior experience serving as a Project Manager on IDOT and/or Illinois Tollway projects.
• Strong working knowledge of the IDOT Bridge Manual, Bureau of Bridges and Structures policies, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, and Illinois Tollway Design Manuals.
• Experience with the design of bridges, culverts, retaining walls, sign structures, or other transportation-related structures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, teams, and technical deliverables.
• Experience preparing and reviewing engineering calculations, plans, technical reports, and cost estimates.
• Proficiency with MicroStation, OpenBridge, Mathcad, STAAD.Pro, MDX, and/or comparable structural design and analysis tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage client relationships, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and mentor engineering staff.
• Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Structural Engineer (SE) licensure, or the ability and willingness to pursue the applicable SE examination if not currently licensed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Illinois PE and/or SE licensure.
• Extensive experience managing transportation projects for IDOT and the Illinois Tollway.
• Illinois NBIS Program Manager or Team Leader certification.
• Bridge inspection experience.
• Experience supporting public-sector proposals, interviews, and business development.
• Established working relationships with Illinois transportation agencies and consulting partners.

Why Join Our Team?

With us, you will have the opportunity to combine technical engineering expertise with meaningful project leadership in a growing transportation practice.

• Leadership Opportunity: Take ownership of projects and guide teams through successful delivery.
• Meaningful Projects: Contribute to transportation infrastructure projects that serve communities across Illinois and other markets.
• Professional Growth: Mentor developing engineers while expanding your leadership and project management responsibilities.
• Client Relationships: Work directly with public agencies and established transportation partners.
• Collaborative Environment: Partner with professionals across multiple offices and markets.
• Competitive Compensation: Salary based on experience, qualifications, and expertise.
• Performance Recognition: Opportunity to earn a year-end performance bonus.

Work Location & Travel

This position is ideally based in our Chicago Metro office in Lisle, Illinois. Collaboration with our other offices and occasional project-related travel may be required.

Ready to Lead Your Next Project?

If you are an experienced structural engineer with a strong background in Illinois transportation projects, a commitment to engineering quality, and the leadership skills to manage complex assignments and client relationships, we encourage you to apply.

Join our team and help shape the future of transportation infrastructure through technical excellence, collaboration, and outstanding project delivery. xhyhwjd

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits:

The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person