Lead Structural Engineer (Greater Chicago Area)

Shape the Future of Structural Engineering at Trotter and Associates

Trotter and Associates, Inc. is looking for a Chief Structural Engineer to lead, grow, and elevate our structural engineering practice. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced Structural Engineer who wants more than project delivery—you want to influence strategy, mentor future leaders, expand technical capabilities, and leave a lasting impact on both clients and the profession.

As our senior structural leader, you'll guide the planning, design, and delivery of complex municipal infrastructure projects throughout Illinois and Wisconsin while helping define the future direction of our structural engineering team.

Trotter’s continued growth has created an opportunity for a proven structural engineering leader to help shape the next chapter of our structural practice while building upon an already strong municipal client base.

VISIT: trotter-inc.com/careers

Why This Role Stands Out

Most senior engineering positions offer project management.

This role also offers the opportunity to build and shape the team.

As Chief Structural Engineer, you'll work directly with executive leadership to:

• Establish technical standards and design excellence.
• Guide the growth of a dedicated structural engineering team.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of engineers.
• Expand structural services throughout our client base.
• Influence long-term strategic initiatives and business growth.
• Help create a leadership legacy that supports future ownership and board participation opportunities.

This role combines technical leadership, client engagement, business strategy, and team development into one highly impactful position.

The Projects You'll Lead

Your expertise will support a diverse portfolio of municipal and public infrastructure projects, including:

• Water treatment facilities
• Wastewater treatment facilities
• Utility infrastructure
• Pump stations and process structures
• Public works facilities
• Municipal infrastructure improvements
• Steel, concrete, masonry, fiberglass, and aluminum structures
• New facilities, expansions, rehabilitations, and condition assessments

You'll serve as Engineer of Record on key projects while ensuring that quality, constructability, sustainability, and client expectations remain at the forefront of every deliverable.

The Role

You'll be responsible for both technical leadership and operational success. You'll regularly interact with executive leadership, municipal staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders, representing TAI with professionalism and technical confidence. This position offers opportunities for long-term leadership growth within an established and continually evolving organization.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading structural engineering projects from concept through construction.
• Directing project planning, budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and execution.
• Serving as Engineer of Record for assigned projects.
• Establishing and maintaining departmental QA/QC standards.
• Reviewing structural calculations, reports, specifications, and construction documents.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams across engineering and architectural disciplines.
• Supporting client development, proposals, presentations, and strategic pursuits.
• Managing project financial performance and risk.
• Building trusted relationships with municipal clients.
• Recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining engineering staff.
• Representing TAI within professional organizations and industry events

You Are The Right Candidate If…

In addition to deep structural engineering experience, serving municipal clients and navigating public-sector projects is highly valued. The ideal candidate understands not only structural design, but also the importance of building trusted, long-term relationships with public agencies and community leaders.

You bring:

• Illinois Structural Engineer (S.E.) license required.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible structural engineering experience.
• Proven success leading projects, teams, or engineering departments.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record on municipal infrastructure projects.
• Deep knowledge of structural codes and standards including IBC, ACI, AISC, ASCE, ADM, TMS, and NDS.
• Expertise in water/wastewater and public infrastructure projects.
• Strong business development, client management, and communication skills.
• The ability to mentor engineers and build high-performing teams.
• Sound business judgment and financial acumen

Choose Your Home Base

This M-F, In-Office position may be based in:

• Oak Brook, Illinois
• St. Charles, Illinois
• Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

The role includes collaboration with project teams across the organization and periodic site visits throughout the region.

Tools and Technology

You'll work with industry-leading engineering and project delivery platforms including:

• RISA-3D
• LPILE
• Autodesk Revit
• AutoCAD
• Bluebeam
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Teams
• Project management and engineering software platforms

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range: $86–$110 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and leadership responsibilities.

Overtime : This position is eligible for overtime compensation at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for any time worked over 40 hours a week.

Year-End Bonus: Eligible employees participate in TAI's performance-based annual bonus program, which recognizes individual contributions and the firm's overall success.

TAI pays full cost of coverage for TAI Employees , and 25% for dependent coverage:

Health Basic Life

Dental Short/Long-Term Disability

Vision

Additional Benefits:

Retirement Plan with 3% Company Match

Vacation

Sick

Holiday Pay

Professional Development

About Trotter and Associates, Inc.

For decades, Trotter and Associates, Inc. has partnered with municipalities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin to plan, design, and deliver infrastructure solutions that serve communities for generations. Originally established as a water and wastewater engineering firm, Trotter has strategically expanded its services to include civil, structural, architectural, utility infrastructure rehabilitation, and watershed engineering.

Today, TAI serves more than 90 municipalities through long-standing relationships built on technical excellence, responsiveness, and trust. Our growth reflects the confidence of our clients, the strength of our team, and a long-term commitment to the communities we serve.

If you're looking to help build what's next, we'd like to hear from you.