Early Career Structural Engineering Designer

Job Description

KPFF is growing its structural engineering presence in Chicago, and we are looking for an early-career Structural Designer who is excited to develop their engineering experience while helping us build what comes next.

You will work alongside experienced engineers who are invested in your development, gaining hands-on experience across a variety of structural systems, project types, and phases of design. You will be closely connected to our established St. Louis Structural team while also having opportunities to contribute to the built environment in the Chicago area, and to collaborate with colleagues across KPFF.

As your technical skills and experience develop, you will have opportunities to take on increasing responsibility and to play a larger role in shaping KPFF's future in Chicago.

Whether you are preparing to graduate, recently graduated, or have already started your structural engineering career, we are interested in engineers who are curious, collaborative, and excited to keep learning.

A Growing Chicago Presence, Backed by 65+ Years of KPFF

You will be joining KPFF at an exciting stage of our growth in Chicago, but you will be part of an established engineering firm from day one.

Our St. Louis Structural team will be an important partner to the Chicago team, providing opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and project experience. You will also work with engineers and project teams across KPFF's nationwide network, giving you access to a broad range of technical expertise, project types, and design challenges.

As the Chicago project base develops, you will have opportunities to contribute locally while continuing to support projects in St. Louis and across the firm.

What You'll Be Doing

• Perform structural analysis and design under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Assist with the design of steel, concrete, wood, masonry, and other structural systems.
• Prepare engineering calculations, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with architects, contractors, owners, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Work closely with the St. Louis Structural team and collaborate with engineers across KPFF.
• Contribute to projects in Chicago, St. Louis, and across the firm, based on project needs and opportunities.
• Participate in project coordination and design meetings.
• Support construction administration and respond to project questions during construction.
• Participate in project site visits, field observations, and structural assessments.
• Develop your knowledge of applicable building codes, design standards, and industry practices.
• Gain exposure to different project types, structural systems, and phases of design.
• Take on increasing responsibility as your technical skills and experience grow.
• Contribute to the culture and growth of KPFF's developing Chicago presence.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

Early in your career, the people you learn from and the projects you are exposed to matter. At KPFF, you will have access to experienced engineers, active project teams, and technical expertise across an established national firm while also experiencing what it takes to grow something new.

You will have the opportunity and visibility that come with being an early member of our Chicago team, with the stability, resources, and project experience of a firm that has been growing for more than 65 years.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline with an emphasis in structures, completed or expected prior to starting the position.
• Coursework in structural engineering and design, including steel and concrete design.
• Understanding of fundamental structural engineering principles.
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and contribute as part of a project team.
• Curiosity and a desire to continue learning and developing as an engineer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or current pursuit of a Master's degree (graduating in summer of 2027) in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in structures. Previous internship or early-career professional experience in structural engineering or building design.
• Coursework or experience in steel, concrete, wood, masonry, seismic analysis, or structural dynamics.
• Familiarity with structural analysis and design software.
• EIT certification or plans to pursue professional engineering licensure.

Additional Information

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are typically performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation.
• Ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day and communicate over the telephone or virtual meeting platforms.
• May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
• Occasionally visiting project and construction sites may involve walking, standing, kneeling, using a ladder, or navigating uneven terrain. 
• When Personal Protective Equipment[JR1]  (PPE) is required by a project site, PPE will be provided.

Work Model

This position follows a primarily in-office work model designed to support collaboration, mentorship, onboarding, and the continued growth of our Chicago team.

• First 90 days: Minimum of 4 days per week in the Chicago office to support training, relationship-building, and integration with the team. The onboarding schedule may be adjusted or extended to ensure each employee receives the training and support needed to be successful.
• After the initial onboarding period: Minimum of 3 days per week in the office
• In-office schedules may vary based on project responsibilities, team needs, training, and client commitments.

Benefits, Compensation, and Culture

KPFF is an employee-owned firm where your contributions and professional growth matter. Our decentralized structure gives local teams the autonomy to make decisions close to their clients and communities, while providing access to the resources, stability, and expertise of a national organization.

As we grow our presence in Chicago, you will have the opportunity to help shape a developing team, take meaningful ownership of your work, and grow with the office. We support long-term career development through mentorship, technical learning, leadership opportunities, and increasing responsibility.

Our benefits include:

• Medical Insurance: Choose between a traditional Open Access Plus (OAP) medical plan or a high-deductible OAP plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health Savings Account Contribution: KPFF contributes $50 per paycheck to the HSA for employees enrolled in the eligible high-deductible medical plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance: KPFF pays the employee premium for dental and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Access to Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs for eligible pre-tax expenses
• Employer-Paid Insurance: KPFF provides short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and travel accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources and support for employees
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF automatically contributes 3% of your base salary, with no employee contribution required. Employer contributions are immediately vested, and employees may also make pre-tax or Roth contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation and personal and sick time, with vacation accrual increasing based on tenure
• Paid Holidays: Company-observed holidays plus two floating holidays each year
• KPFF Paid Family Leave: Up to six weeks of paid family leave per year after meeting eligibility requirements
• Opportunity for Paid Overtime: Overtime is not mandatory, but employees may have opportunities to work additional hours based on project and team needs. When overtime is worked, those hours may be banked for future time off or paid out monthly.

Compensation

The base salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected range for a qualified candidate with relevant years of experience, education, and skills is $72,000 - $85,000.  Additionally, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in each Reporting Center. During the interview process, we'll address any questions you may have about the overall compensation package and benefits.

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KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.

Compensation: 72000 to 85000 (USD) (YEARLY)