Structural Engineer

Job Title: Structural Engineer
Job Description
This Structural Engineer role focuses on collecting and preparing technical data, performing detailed engineering calculations, and developing structural designs for industrial facilities. You will support and sometimes lead projects involving concrete and steel structures in refinery, chemical, and other heavy industrial environments. You will collaborate closely with multi-discipline teams, contribute to creative structural solutions, and present project information to both internal and external stakeholders. The role also encourages ongoing professional development through active participation in professional organizations and technical seminars or courses.
Responsibilities

• Collect and prepare structural engineering data and information, and perform detailed engineering calculations for industrial projects.
• Develop basic structural engineering designs in concrete and steel for review and approval by senior department team members.
• Serve as Project Lead for select single-discipline projects by estimating work hours, developing scope of work, making staffing recommendations, and checking drawings.
• Assist with field work, including checking structural installations and supporting problem-solving activities at job sites.
• Interact and collaborate with internal departments and multi-discipline project teams, as well as external suppliers, to obtain required project information.
• Manage project scope by addressing scope and work changes, adjusting project deliverables as necessary, and completing project work within budget and scheduled time frames.
• Use creative and analytical thinking to develop effective structural solutions for clients and present project information to internal and external audiences.
• Apply AutoCAD structural design capabilities to support industrial projects and coordinate with other engineering disciplines.
• Utilize structural analysis tools such as STAAD or RISA to perform structural calculations and validate design integrity.
• Participate in professional organizations and technical seminars or courses to maintain and demonstrate ongoing technical and professional growth.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• 5-10+ years of experience in structural design, with openness to candidates with 4-20 years of professional experience.
• Applicable project experience in refinery, chemical, or heavy industrial facilities.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for structural design on industrial projects.
• Concrete design experience for industrial structures.
• Steel design experience for industrial structures, including steel structures and framing.
• Experience with structural design and analysis for industrial environments.
• Experience using STAAD or RISA for structural analysis.
• Ability to collect and interpret technical data and perform detailed structural engineering calculations.
• Ability to manage project scope, schedule, and budget on select single-discipline projects.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with multi-discipline teams and external suppliers.
• Capability to assist with field work, verify installations, and support on-site problem solving.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Structural Engineer (SE) or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience using Revit for structural modeling and coordination.
• Experience with dynamic structural design.
• Willingness to learn STAAD if currently experienced with RISA.
• Experience with structural design in chemical plants, refineries, agriculture, food and beverage (clean spaces), and pharmaceutical facilities.
• Familiarity with equipment selection and layout considerations in heavy industrial environments.
• Active membership in professional engineering organizations and participation in technical seminars or courses.
• Strong communication skills for presenting project information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment with multi-discipline project teams.

Work Environment
This role is based in a full-service architecture, engineering, and construction management environment with a strong focus on heavy industrial projects, including chemical plants, refineries, agriculture, food and beverage (clean spaces), and pharmaceutical facilities. The structural team consists of a group of structural engineers and designers, with an emphasis on a robust engineering team. The team uses STAAD for structural calculations and is open to training engineers who currently use RISA. Work is highly collaborative, with close interaction across disciplines such as architecture, mechanical, piping, processing, electrical and instrumentation, project controls, and estimating. The position is intended for candidates local to Illinois who can commute to the Downers Grove office, with a typical in-office schedule of three days per week (Tuesday through Thursday) and flexibility for additional arrangements as needed. The organization is open to fully remote work, with periodic travel to the office for training, meetings, or project needs, and is also open to candidates who may work from a Merrillville, Indiana office if that location is more convenient. Projects often involve very large equipment in both clean and hazardous or potentially explosive environments, and may require very light travel to job sites across the Midwest, typically 2-3 nights at a time, 1-2 times every few months, though this travel is not required. The culture is described as highly collaborative and team-oriented, with many long-tenured staff and a structure that allows decisions to be made quickly and individual voices to be heard.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Downers Grove, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $67.31/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 hybrid position in Downers Grove,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 23, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.


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.


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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.



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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.