Principal Structural Engineer

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to be based in either Los Angeles or Orange, CA. This Senior Structural Engineer will support a wide range of projects across industries including entertainment, commercial, industrial, government, detention, and parking structures. This role offers the opportunity to develop analytical and design skills while focusing on seismic design, seismic retrofits, and advanced structural analysis methods. 

Join our dynamic team supporting exciting projects!  Work independently and make technical decisions based on building code interpretation as well as company, client, and industry standard practices. Mentor and teach junior engineers. Grow your career with us in our Building+ Places group.

LA28 & AECOM: Transforming Los Angeles
We are proud to be the Official Venue Infrastructure Partner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. With an unprecedented scope spanning infrastructure architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management, AECOM will support the comprehensive delivery of the venue infrastructure program for the Games. Join us in shaping LA28 and redefining the future of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

About Buildings + Places

AECOM’s Buildings + Places practice includes architecture, interiors, building engineering, workplace strategy, business transformation, asset advisory, economics and development planning, master planning, urban planning, and landscape architecture in a dynamic, interactive, and creative work environment.

With a range of expertise from strategy and design through project realization, we create better outcomes to grow economies, protect natural systems, conserve natural resources, make societies more equitable and connect and engage people through innovative, sustainable design solutions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performs specific and moderate portions of a broader assignment of an experienced engineer.
• Gathers and correlates basic engineering data using established and well-defined procedures.
• Works on detailed or routine engineering assignments involving calculations and relatively simple to complex tests.
• Proposes approach to solve new problems encountered using modifications of standard procedures or methods developed in previous assignments.
• Identifies discrepancies in results.
• Provides guidance to entry level engineers.
• Performs work in accordance with agreed upon budget and schedule with little supervision.
• Independently performs all the tasks necessary to complete primary design elements for engineering works.
• Performance at this level requires developmental experience in a professional position.
• Potential projects come from a wide variety of industry sectors including entertainment, commercial, industrial, parking structures, government, and detention.
• Engineer will work collaboratively with more experienced engineers where required on very large projects and will be give the responsibility to lead/work independently on moderately sized structural design projects and tasks.

Daily work includes:

• Perform structural analysis and design
• Coordinate work with other design disciplines and prepare contract documents
• Construction administration
• Author structural reports, assessments, and studies.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering and 8 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education. 
• US Citizenship due to federal contract/security requirements

Preferred:

• Master of Science (with structural engineering concentration)
• Preferred 12+ years of experience
• Professional License in California (SE)
• Demonstrated experience applying all major structural design codes (IBC, CBC, ASCE 7, etc)
• Demonstrated experience using 3-D structural analysis software. (examples include ETABS, SAP, RISA, RAM, and SAFE)
• Experience designing in Steel, Concrete, Masonry, and Timber
• Experience with Wind and Seismic lateral design, including retrofit of existing structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with performance-based design is highly desirable
• Experience with ASCE 41 for retrofit of existing structures is highly desirable.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Compensation: 175000 to 200000 (USD) (YEARLY)