Full-Time
Structural Project Manager
Benesch
501-1,000 employees
Engineering and consulting for community infrastructure
No salary listed
East Lansing, MI, USA
In Person
On-site in East Lansing, MI; occasional travel to MDOT project sites as needed.
 Business & Strategy (1) |
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- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Michigan (required)
- 10+ years of structural engineering experience with a focus on bridge design, rehabilitation, and inspection
- Strong familiarity with MDOT standards, including Bridge Design Guide (BDG), AASHTO LRFD, MDOT load rating requirements, and CADD standards
- Proven experience delivering MDOT bridge projects from concept through construction
- Ability to perform and review complex structural calculations and load ratings
- Proficiency in relevant engineering software (e.g., MDOT MiBridge, LEAP Bridge, MDX & MicroStation)
- Demonstrated experience managing project scope, schedule, and budget for multiple concurrent projects
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and supervise engineers, designers, and technicians
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary coordination with roadway, hydraulics, geotechnical, and environmental teams
- Ability to oversee QC/QA processes to ensure deliverables meet MDOT and industry standards
- Strong client relationship skills, particularly with MDOT staff and local agencies
- Effective verbal and written communication, including technical writing and presentation abilities
- Proven track record of managing client expectations and resolving project challenges proactively
- Business development experience, including proposal writing and pursuit strategy for MDOT projects
- Ability to travel for site visits, inspections, and meetings as needed
- Commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and quality in engineering practices
- Lead and manage structural engineering projects involving MDOT bridge design, rehabilitation, and inspection, from planning through completion
- Serve as the primary client contact for MDOT and other stakeholders, ensuring compliance with MDOT Bridge Design Guide (BDG), AASHTO LRFD, and project-specific requirements
- Oversee preparation of bridge design plans, specifications, and cost estimates in accordance with MDOT standards
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including roadway, geotechnical, and hydraulics, to ensure integrated project delivery
- Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to meet contractual and quality requirements
- Conduct quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) reviews on structural calculations, drawings, and reports
- Supervise and mentor junior engineers, designers, and technicians, providing technical guidance and career development support
- Facilitate project progress meetings with clients, contractors, and internal teams
- Review and approve shop drawings, RFIs, and construction submittals for structural compliance
- Perform site visits for construction observation, bridge inspection, and condition assessment
- Prepare and review load ratings in accordance with MDOT requirements
- Ensure all work complies with applicable codes, standards, and safety regulations
- Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, cost estimating, and client presentations
- Maintain professional licensure in Michigan and fulfill continuing education requirements
Benesch provides engineering and consulting services to improve community infrastructure across the United States, handling projects in transportation, aviation, bridges, rail, roadways, transit, as well as planning, parks, development, and environmental services. It delivers planning, design, and implementation through a multidisciplinary team on project-based contracts, guiding projects from start to finish. The firm sets itself apart with a holistic approach to ADA compliance, evaluating and upgrading accessibility in municipal facilities, transportation systems, and communication networks. Its goal is to make infrastructure safer, more accessible, and durable while building long-term relationships with municipalities, government agencies, and private clients.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1946
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- The May 2026 CTO hire signals management investment in scalable systems and client delivery.
- Benesch’s July 2026 news feed shows active awards, bridge wins, and transit work.
- Recent acquisitions and public-project hires broaden capacity for multistate transportation pursuits.
What critics are saying
- Benesch competes against WSP, AECOM, HNTB, and Kimley-Horn for scarce senior engineers.
- Project revenue depends on municipal awards, so bid losses hit 2026 and 2027 utilization.
- If technology modernization stalls, larger firms with deeper digital stacks win complex infrastructure programs.
What makes Benesch unique
- Benesch ranked No. 95 on ENR’s 2026 Top 500, breaking into the top 100.
- Keith Horn joined as CTO on May 26, 2026, strengthening digital delivery.
- Eight decades in transportation, bridges, rail, and ADA work create sticky municipal relationships.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Work Hours
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Professional Development Budget
Tuition Reimbursement
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Home Office Stipend
Company News
Keith Horn joins Benesch as Chief Technology Officer. People May 26, 2026 CHICAGO, IL - Benesch is pleased to announce that Keith Horn has been named Chief Technology Officer for the firm. Bringing more than 27 years of experience as a strategic technology and business leader, Keith will lead Benesch's MIS Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the firm's approach to technology. Keith comes to Benesch from WSP, where he was responsible for the company's global strategic alliance program which included a $1B Microsoft partnership targeting $250M in digital revenue. Keith was also CTO of POWER Engineers before their recent acquisition by WSP. In that role, he helped scale the firm's IT vision and infrastructure as they grew from $250M to $975M in revenue. "We are thrilled to welcome Keith to Benesch," said Kevin Fitzpatrick, Benesch President and CEO. "His leadership and vision will be essential as we continue to embrace emerging technologies that strengthen our position within the industry." In his role, Keith will oversee technology initiatives to enhance Benesch's business practices and project deliverables, allowing the firm to scale operations in response to its continued growth in markets across the country. Working collaboratively with its multidisciplinary team, Keith will uncover ways to drive innovation, create scalable systems, and improve both the client and employee experience at Benesch. For the latest updates on Benesch, follow Benesch Civil Group on LinkedIn. About Benesch. Ranked #95 on Engineering News Record's list of the top 500 design firms in the U.S., Benesch has been creating spaces, providing connections and transforming infrastructure across the nation since 1946. Comprised of multidisciplinary experts with different perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets, the Benesch Team is committed to exploring new solutions, putting cutting-edge technology to the test and helping reimagine what is possible for its clients. Learn more about Benesch here.
La Vista Active Mobility Plan earns APA-NE award. Awards, Projects March 10, 2026 LA VISTA, NE - The La Vista Active Mobility Plan earned an Excellence in Transportation Planning Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-NE). The project was recognized for creating an actionable roadmap to improve walking, biking and trail connectivity throughout the city. Although La Vista sits within a strong regional trail network, gaps between local routes and the broader transportation system have historically limited access. To address this gap, the City enlisted Benesch to develop the La Vista Active Mobility Plan (AMP), a comprehensive framework that integrates active transportation into everyday travel and strengthens connections between neighborhoods, destinations and regional amenities. Throughout the planning process, the project team incorporated several innovative strategies to guide recommendations. Surveys were distributed in parks across the city to gather input from a broad range of residents and ensure diverse perspectives were reflected in the plan. The team also leveraged tools such as heat maps of bicycle and foot traffic to identify key corridors and prioritize improvements. In addition to expanding mobility options, the AMP highlights projects that enhance the city's appeal, including scenic overlooks, walking bridges and underpasses. The plan also incorporates universal design principles aligned with the latest Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, with recommendations such as accessible crossings, tactile paving and improved routes connecting underserved neighborhoods to trails, parks and community destinations. To support implementation, the AMP organizes recommendations into short-, near- and long-term phases, providing the City with a clear path to advance improvements over time. Since the plan's adoption in early 2025, La Vista has begun advancing priority trail connections, incorporating recommendations into capital improvement planning and securing federal funding for several projects. Multiple initiatives are already moving forward in design or construction, expanding access to the regional trail network and strengthening support for active transportation investments. The award was presented on March 5 during the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association (NPZA) and APA-NE Awards Banquet.
Five Benesch projects recognized by ACEC-NE. Awards, Projects March 05, 2026 STATEWIDE, NE - The American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska (ACEC-NE) recognized five Benesch projects as part of the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards. Spanning environmental restoration, infrastructure resilience, urban improvements and mobility planning, the projects were honored for restoring natural systems, strengthening critical infrastructure and improving connections for communities across Nebraska. The 110-acre Ashland Wetland Mitigation Bank is a key component of the Nebraska Department of Transportation's long-term wetland mitigation banking program. Benesch led the planning, permitting and design of the multi-phase restoration, converting former farmland into functional wetland through strategic grading, hydrologic modifications and a high diversity seed mix. The project now provides a reliable, sustainable source of mitigation credits for future infrastructure improvements across the region. The Copper Creek Interceptor Relocation project strengthened critical wastewater infrastructure for the City of Omaha by removing an aerial sewer crossing and relocating the interceptor outside the levee system and away from the confluence of two creeks. Benesch's design replaced aging infrastructure with a multi-pipe siphon system that reduces risk to levees and the interceptor located in the floodway. The result is a more resilient, long-term solution that protects essential services and the surrounding community. The Saddle Creek & Leavenworth Intersection project transformed one of Omaha's busiest corridors into a safer, more accessible gateway serving the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and surrounding community. Benesch partnered with the City of Omaha and UNMC to provide design and construction engineering services to deliver coordinated roadway, utility and pedestrian improvements on an accelerated schedule, enhancing mobility and safety while supporting long-term campus growth. The WRRF Consolidation Plans project helped the City of Lincoln modernize and organize nearly a century of records for its Theresa Street and Northeast Water Resource Recovery Facilities. Benesch partnered with City staff to consolidate thousands of plan sheets into a structured, searchable system that supports maintenance, emergency response and long-term asset management. The project improves access to critical infrastructure information and strengthens operational efficiency across the facilities. La Vista Active Mobility Plan Merit Award Category A: Studies, Research & Consulting Engineering Services The La Vista Active Mobility Plan outlines a practical strategy to improve mobility and connectivity throughout the rapidly growing Nebraska community. Developed with the City of La Vista and MAPA, the plan identifies priority corridors and phased investments in sidewalks, trails and on-street bicycle facilities. Backed by strong public engagement and data analysis, the plan provides a clear path toward safer and more accessible mobility options. The projects will be formally recognized at the ACEC-NE Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on April 23.
Benesch announced April 24 that Paul Rathgeber, MPA, has joined the company as Director of Public Projects.
Gavin McCarty has joined Benesch as Of Counsel in the firm's Litigation Practice Group.