Lead Structural Engineer

Lead Structural Engineer

The Lead Structural Engineer designs and configures industrial structures that must withstand stresses and pressures from human use and environmental conditions. This role oversees structural design from concept through construction, including foundation and equipment support selection, drawing production, and field inspections to ensure the structural integrity of foundations, buildings, and process structures. The position is ideal for an experienced structural engineer who enjoys industrial projects, values entrepreneurial thinking, and wants to contribute to a growing engineering consultancy without the constraints often found in larger organizations.

Responsibilities

• Design and configure structural systems for industrial facilities, including foundations, buildings, equipment supports, and process structures that must endure operational and environmental loads.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, design criteria, cost estimates, structural designs, and detailed engineering drawings to support project execution.
• Perform structural calculations related to pressures, loads, stresses, vibration, and rotating equipment to ensure safe and efficient design solutions.
• Provide technical advice and guidance on safe structural designs, construction practices, and engineering standards to internal teams and clients.
• Obtain necessary planning and building regulations approvals by preparing and submitting required documentation and responding to regulatory inquiries.
• Collaborate closely with clients, architects, engineers, and other professional staff to align structural solutions with overall project objectives.
• Monitor and inspect work performed by contractors to verify structural soundness, compliance with design documents, and adherence to applicable codes and standards.
• Administer small sub-contracts and manage structural engineering projects, including scope, schedule, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
• Inspect and assess geotechnical properties and site conditions to evaluate foundation requirements and inform structural design decisions.
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) and analysis tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, and STAAD, for modeling, simulation, and documentation of structural systems.
• Apply advanced knowledge of construction methods, materials, and legal regulations to ensure designs are buildable, compliant, and cost-effective.
• Manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously, balancing priorities, deadlines, and communication needs across a dynamic portfolio of industrial work.

Essential Skills

• 12–15 years of structural engineering experience, preferably focused on industrial projects.
• Background in engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Experience in industrial structural engineering, including heavy to light industrial projects.
• Proficiency with STAAD, AutoCAD, and Revit for structural analysis, modeling, and drawing production.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work with Revit and AutoCAD models and drawings.
• Experience designing with steel, concrete, and masonry structural systems.
• Experience with rotating equipment and vibration analysis in industrial settings.
• Advanced knowledge of construction methods, structural materials, and applicable legal and building regulations.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to clients, colleagues, and contractors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and clients at the same time, maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate with the ability to obtain a PE license is preferred but not required.
• Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for identifying opportunities to add value for clients through engineering solutions.
• Collaborative approach with the courage to challenge the status quo and propose innovative structural design ideas.
• Experience working in industrial sectors such as pulp and paper, chemical, consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, power, or heavy industrial markets.
• Ability to administer small sub-contracts and contribute to project management activities.
• Strong client-facing skills and comfort liaising directly with clients and multidisciplinary project teams.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role that combines three days per week in the office with two days working remotely, offering flexibility while maintaining close collaboration with the engineering team. The position involves limited travel, typically no more than a week at a time, with an expectation of being home by the weekend. You will work within a rapidly growing engineering consulting environment that supports full-service EPCm projects for industrial process manufacturers across a variety of markets. The culture encourages entrepreneurial thinking, direct impact on projects, and the ability to move work forward without the extensive bureaucracy often found in larger corporations. You will use modern engineering tools such as STAAD, AutoCAD, and Revit, and collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients in a professional office setting complemented by occasional site visits to industrial facilities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Cincinnati, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $170000.00 - $190000.00/yr. Medical, Dental, Vision, 4% 401k match

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Cincinnati, OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 3, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.