Lead Structural Engineer - Energy & Industrial Group

Description

• This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your experience and knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to support creative, cost effective solutions for existing and new designs. You will work on a wide range of power plant and industrial facility modifications and upgrades to support client requests and reviews including creating calculations, design documents, and specifications. Additionally, you will be conducting structural analyses, which include complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.

• As a structural lead, you will be responsible for guiding junior-level engineers and designers in structural engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of structural engineering work.

• You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting and solving a wide variety of structural engineering issues.

• Using our state-of-the-art computer tools, you will perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations.

• Develop integrated structural designs and perform supporting calculations for the planned work.

• Prepare technical specifications for structural materials.

• Prepare engineering studies.

• Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.

• Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.

• Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers. This may include performing on-site structural condition assessments and recommendations for repair/modification of existing structures that have various levels of degradation or are being repurposed.

• Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."

• Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.

• Client interface will likely include travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for condition assessments, construction coordination and field verification of designs.

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Master's in Civil Engineering preferred) with structural engineering emphasis from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.

• Fifteen or more years of working as a member of a project team environment in the design of non-commercial, heavy industrial plants, with a focus on the analysis of steel structures, concrete foundations and supports for new plants or modifications or replacements for existing plants. Experience must include the selection of structural materials and the review and preparation of specifications.

• PE license required.

• Experience in writing and providing support documentation for structural engineering calculations.

• Technically knowledgeable of the practical application of structural engineering including analysis for structural supports, loads, and design integrity.

• Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.

• Proficiency with any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.

• Familiarity with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.

• Proficiency with MS Office applications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• Construction and start-up experience a plus.

• Commissioning experience a plus.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

• You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.

• Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.

• Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.

• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & Wellness Financial Benefits Work-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

• Life & Accident Insurance

• Disability Coverage

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Back-Up Daycare

• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)

• Pre-Tax Commuter Account

• Merit Scholarship Program

• Employee Discount Program

• Corporate Charitable Giving Program

• Tuition Assistance

• First Professional Licensure Bonus

• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)

• Paid Vacation

• Paid Holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Paid Bereavement Leave

• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$118,023 - $180,313

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Awards & Recognition

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

CityChicago

StateIL

CountryUnited States

Area of InterestStructural Engineering

TypeFull Time - Regular

Job ID2026-22407

Business GroupEnergy & Industrial Group

DepartmentStructural Engineering