Director of Structural Engineering

Set the Direction. Set the Standard.

At Nelson-Rudie, we elevate the built environment - together. The Director of Structural Engineering is a senior people and delivery leader responsible for developing structural engineering talent, supporting consistent project execution, and contributing to the continued growth of the structural practice. This role balances people leadership, delivery oversight, and business development participation with a strong commitment to technical excellence, quality, and consistency across structural work.

As a key member of the structural leadership team, the Director supports client relationships, participates in pursuits and proposals, and helps identify and advance growth opportunities while collaborating closely with Practice and Technical Leadership. This role is designed to strengthen day-to-day leadership capacity, enable scalable growth, and ensure accountability is distributed across a sustainable leadership structure.

Why You'll Love Working Here

This role allows you to lead a practice while staying deeply connected to the technical work that matters. You'll shape strategy, mentor engineers, guide standards, and influence the future of structural engineering at Nelson-Rudie.

• Employee - Owned: Be part of a 100% ESOP firm with a legacy of excellence since 1976.
• Leadership Impact: Contribute to the direction for the structural practice and influence firmwide growth.
• Technical Excellence: Reinforce Nelson-Rudie's standards for structural quality.
• Mentorship Focus: Develop and grow the next generation of structural engineers.
• Collaborative Culture: Partner with discipline leaders across the firm.
• Challenging Work: Lead and support complex, high-profile projects.
• Flexibility & Balance: Hybrid work model with a local office presence in Minneapolis (MN) or Overland Park (KS) .

What You'll Do

Support the Structural Practice

• Support the execution of structural practice objectives and annual goals in alignment with companywide priorities.
• Translate practice strategy into day-to-day team direction, delivery coordination, and execution.
• Partner with Practice and Technical Leadership to support growth initiatives and evolving practice needs.
• Provide input to staffing plans, workload forecasting, and resource planning in support of delivery and growth.
• Actively contribute to business development efforts, including proposals, scope development, and pursuit strategy.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, owners, and industry partners in support of repeat work and new opportunities.
• Represent Nelson-Rudie in professional and industry settings as a people and technical leader within the structural team.

Manage & Develop People

• Provide direct people leadership for structural engineers and designers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth.
• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings and participate in performance feedback and review processes for direct reports.
• Support performance development, career progression, and staffing decisions in partnership with Practice Leadership.
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding efforts to build a strong and sustainable structural team.
• Mentor team members to promote continuous improvement, technical growth, and the sharing of best practices.
• Encourage professional development through continuing education, licensure, and industry involvement.

Support Technical Quality & Standards

• Reinforce firmwide structural engineering standards, design guidelines, and QA/QC practices in day-to-day work.
• Serve as a technical resource and mentor for engineers working on complex structural systems, in partnership with the Chief Engineer.
• Support consistent application of codes, professional standards, client requirements, and company objectives across projects.

Support Project & Operational Delivery

• Support structural engineering delivery on assigned projects and pursuits.
• Coordinate staffing needs, delivery priorities, and workload balancing across the structural team.
• Partner with Project Leads, Practice Leaders, and Chief Engineers to resolve delivery, resourcing, and technical challenges.
• Participate in team meetings to support schedules, deadlines, and commitments.
• Review project labor, staffing plans, and productivity metrics to help inform delivery and resource decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a structural emphasis or related discipline (required).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Minnesota licensure required or ability to obtain. Structural Engineer (SE) is a plus.
• 15-20+ years of experience in structural engineering, including project and people leadership.
• Advanced experience designing and analyzing complex building structures.
• Strong working knowledge of national, state, and local building codes, including ASCE standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Revit, AutoCAD, and structural engineering software (e.g., RAM, RISA, ADAPT).
• Working knowledge of Smartsheet, Unanet CRM (Cosential), and Deltek Ajera is a plus.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, decision making, and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• U.S. citizenship or U.S. residency with a valid Green Card.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

Apply for this opportunity today. At Nelson-Rudie & Associates, we are committed to integrity, collaboration, innovation, and empowering every team member to grow and succeed. If you share our values and want to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to take the next step.

Discover more about our culture, our people, and the difference you can make by visiting nelsonrudie.com.