Senior Civil/Structural Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

About SPEC Services

SPEC Services is a 200+ person engineering services firm with more than 45 years supporting the energy sector. We are known for practical solutions, responsive service, and long-standing client relationships, with a culture focused on technical excellence and doing the work the right way in operating and brownfield environments.

Summary of the Role

As a Senior Civil/Structural Engineer, you will serve as a lead for civil and structural engineering projects supporting industrial, energy, utility, and infrastructure clients. You will lead analysis, design, detailing, drawing production, technical documentation, permitting support, and client coordination for multi-discipline projects. This role is ideal for a licensed Professional Engineer having 8 years of experience, with strong technical judgment, clear communication skills, and the ability to build trusted client relationships while helping identify, pursue, and win additional work.

What Sets This Role Apart

• Technical Leadership: Lead complex civil/structural design work with direct influence over technical approach, quality, and execution.
• Client-Facing Impact: Work directly with clients, contractors, permitting agencies, and internal teams to solve practical engineering problems.
• Project Variety: Support foundations, steel structures, platforms, pipe supports, site development, grading, drainage, and permitting for real-world industrial projects.

Key Responsibilities

Civil/Structural Engineering Leadership

• Serve as the civil/structural engineering lead on assigned multi-discipline projects.
• Prepare engineering calculations for concrete foundations, steel structures, anchorage, and related systems, including seismic and wind loading analyses.
• Provide structural steel and concrete design, including pipe and cable tray supports, canopies, equipment platforms, access platforms, stairs, walkways, industrial buildings, pipe bridges, and foundations for equipment, buildings, tanks, vessels, light poles, and related structures.
• Lead or support grading and drainage design, site development, stormwater hydraulics, and related civil design activities.
• Apply sound engineering judgment and applicable codes and standards, including CBC/IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, ACI, and related civil/structural requirements.
• Use engineering tools, including finite element analysis software such as RISA-3D.

Drawing Production, Permitting, and Documentation

• Work closely with designers and drafters to develop complete, coordinated, and accurate civil/structural drawing packages.
• Support permitting efforts by preparing submittals, reviewing agency comments, and providing responses related to civil/structural plans and calculations.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and other technical documentation.

Client Leadership and Business Development

• Communicate clearly with clients, internal project teams, contractors, and permitting agencies.
• Build and maintain client trust through responsive communication, practical solutions, and reliable delivery.
• Identify client needs and help develop scopes, budgets, and proposals for additional civil/structural work.
• Support business development efforts by participating in client discussions, technical presentations, and proposal preparation.

Reporting & Organizational Fit

This position reports to civil/structural department manager and works closely with project managers, other discipline leads, designers, and client-facing teams. You’ll be part of a practical, technically strong engineering organization that values ownership, responsive communication, and high-quality work in operating and brownfield environments. 

Location & Work Schedule

This hybrid role supports SPEC’s Fountain Valley office and offers a flexible 9/80 work schedule. The position includes local project site visits for data gathering, field verification, coordination, and inspections, with occasional travel to other project locations as needed.

What You Bring

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information clearly to clients, reviewers, contractors, and internal teams.
• A strong technical foundation in concrete, structural steel, foundations, seismic design, wind design, and industrial civil/structural engineering.
• A practical, collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to engineering and project execution.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Civil Engineering required, with an emphasis in Structural Engineering preferred.
• Valid California Professional Engineer license required.
• Demonstrated experience designing concrete, steel, foundation, anchorage, and related civil/structural systems.
• Engineering experience supporting industrial, energy, utility, or infrastructure projects preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong working knowledge of concrete, structural steel, foundation design, anchorage, grading, drainage, and related civil/structural engineering requirements.
• Knowledge of seismic and wind design provisions in applicable codes and standards, including CBC/IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI.
• Experience using finite element analysis tools such as RISA-3D.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.

Certifications

• Additional state PE licenses are a plus.

Work With Impact. Rewards That Support You.

At SPEC Services, you’ll work directly with experienced professionals and clients on civil/structural engineering projects that support critical infrastructure and operating facilities. Our work is grounded in technical quality, practical problem solving, responsive communication, and long-term client relationships built on reliable delivery. 

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; long-term disability coverage; a 401(k) with profit sharing; and, for this position, performance-based incentives.

Equal Opportunity

SPEC Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to maintaining a workplace grounded in fairness, respect, and equal opportunity.

Employment Eligibility  

This is a drug‑free workplace. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required.

Salary Range: $95-157K