Structural Project Engineer - Wood-Framed Buildings

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Remote - Strege Structural Engineering is based in Newport Beach, California
Employment Type: Full-Time, W-2 Employee
Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week
Compensation: $40 - $50 per hour, depending on experience and demonstrated ability

Position Summary

SSE is seeking a Structural Project Engineer with strong experience in wood-framed building design.

This is a fully remote position for an engineer who can independently review project conditions, determine an appropriate structural approach, perform calculations, coordinate with CAD support, and advance projects to a nearly complete stage before final review by the Principal Structural Engineer.

The ideal candidate is technically strong, organized, efficient, and comfortable managing multiple active projects at once. This role requires someone who can take ownership of assigned work, identify missing information, develop practical structural solutions, and communicate engineering direction clearly to the drafting team.

Responsibilities

• Independently evaluate project scope, existing conditions, available field information, and client requirements.
• Determine appropriate structural design approaches for residential and light-frame wood construction.
• Perform structural calculations and engineering analysis for gravity and lateral systems.
• Design and evaluate structural components including:
• • Wood roof rafter and ceiling joist design.
  • Wood floor joist design. 
  • Wood beam and header design. 
  • Wood post design.
  • Wall framing (stud, trimmer, king stud) design.
  • Concrete slab design.
  • Concrete footing design. 
  • Wood diaphragm (unit shear, drag, chord) design. 
  • Wood shear wall (segmented pier, perforated, FTAO) design. 
  • Structural connection details. Ability to visualize load path and generate sections and details of building and connection geometry. 
• Review site photographs, Matterport walkthroughs, existing plans, inspection findings, and other project documentation.
• Identify missing or conflicting information and communicate what is needed to move the project forward.
• Develop practical, constructable repair and retrofit solutions for existing buildings.
• Prepare structural calculations, sketches, details, and clear engineering direction for construction documents.
• Coordinate with CAD drafters and provide organized redlines and design direction.
• Review drafted plans and details for consistency with the engineering design.
• Create or modify structural details in AutoCAD when appropriate.
• Assist with structural plan-check comments and responses.
• Manage multiple active projects simultaneously, with work frequently progressing across three to four projects during a typical day.
• Maintain organized calculations, design notes, project correspondence, and supporting documentation.
• Communicate project status, technical questions, and outstanding information clearly with the Principal Structural Engineer and internal project team.
• Advance assigned projects as independently as reasonably possible before final engineering review.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of structural engineering experience.
• Strong experience with wood-framed buildings.
• Experience with existing buildings, structural repairs, additions, alterations, or property-loss projects is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with ENERCALC.
• Proficiency with Microsoft office suite and Google Workspace. 
• Proficiency with RAM Elements, RAM Concept, and RAM Structural System is preferred.
• Working proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam. 
• Experience preparing structural calculations and construction documents.
• Strong understanding of gravity and lateral-force-resisting systems in wood construction.
• Familiarity with the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Existing Building Code, ASCE 7, NDS, SDPWS, and ACI 318 is required.
• Ability to evaluate field conditions, identify missing information, and develop practical, constructable engineering solutions.
• Ability to independently organize and advance projects with limited supervision.
• Ability to communicate engineering intent clearly through redlines, sketches, calculations, and written direction.
• Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment.

PE licensure is not required, however preferred.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the Principal Structural Engineer.

Remote Work Requirements

Candidates must currently reside in:

• California
• Arizona
• Nevada

Employees are responsible for maintaining:

• A reliable computer capable of running required engineering and drafting software.
• At least two suitable external monitors.
• Reliable high-speed internet access.
• A professional remote working environment.

SSE provides access to required company software licenses and systems, including applicable AutoCAD, Bluebeam, ENERCALC, Microsoft, Google Workspace, and other company-required platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

• $40 - $50 per hour, depending on experience, technical proficiency, and demonstrated ability.
• Full-time W-2 employment. 
• Approximately 40 hours per week.
• 5 days company paid sick leave.
• 5 days company paid holidays annually.
• 5 days company paid vacation. 
• Company retirement plan.
• Limited professional-development support for pre-approved AutoCAD training, construction-document training, software education, and other role-related professional development.

Health insurance is not currently provided.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume.
• Brief cover letter highlighting your experience with wood-framed structural design, existing buildings, and repair work.
• Optional project examples demonstrating relevant structural design experience.
• References

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview and may be asked to discuss previous projects, explain their approach to a representative structural problem, or complete a brief technical assessment.

Strege Structural Engineering (SSE) is a structural consulting and design firm based in Newport Beach, California. We specialize in residential and light-frame structural engineering, with a strong focus on wood-framed buildings, existing structures, repairs, additions, alterations, and property-loss projects.

Our work is practical, detail-driven, and fast-moving. We place a high value on sound engineering judgment, clear construction documents, efficient project execution, and responsive client service.

Our team values accurate drawings, organized project files, attention to detail, clear communication, and efficient project execution.

Company Description

Strege Structural Engineering (SSE) is a structural consulting and design firm based in Newport Beach, California. We specialize in residential and light-frame structural engineering, with a strong focus on wood-framed buildings, existing structures, repairs, additions, alterations, and property-loss projects.\n\nOur work is practical, detail-driven, and fast-moving. We place a high value on sound engineering judgment, clear construction documents, efficient project execution, and responsive client service.\n\nOur team values accurate drawings, organized project files, attention to detail, clear communication, and efficient project execution.