Structural Project Engineer

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued, we support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Bridges and Structures

With thousands of projects under our belt, we're proud to be a regional leader in heavy, unoccupied civil structures such as water reservoirs, pump stations, bridges, port and marine facilities and other significant concrete, masonry, steel and timber structures. Our proven approach provides clients with creative, efficient solutions. Our structural design team offers decades of experience in both new and existing construction, specializing in public infrastructure and industrial structures. If you are inspired to engineer structures that have significant impact on the communities we live and work in, we’d love you to be a part of our team!

Summary

Bring your structural expertise to a leadership role as a Structural Project Engineer, where you'll take charge of design and analysis on impactful engineering projects. In this position, you'll serve as engineer-of-record and apply your strong knowledge of the International Building Code and ASCE 7 standards to deliver high-quality, code-compliant solutions. You'll play a key role in mentoring junior staff while also collaborating with seasoned professionals to continually grow your expertise. If you're a licensed Professional Engineer—either in your primary state of practice or able to obtain licensure within six months—and you're ready to lead with confidence, contribute to complex infrastructure, and expand your influence in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply. Licensure as a Structural Engineer is preferred but not required. This position can be based out of our Billings, Bozeman, Lake Oswego, or Eugene office locations.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)

• Basic understanding of AutoCAD Civil 3D CAD software.

• Advanced understanding of structural analysis software (RISA, ENERCALC, SAP2000, L-Pile, PYWall)

• Independently model complex structures for vertical and lateral (wind and seismic) loads using multi-model and non-linear methods.

Technical Expertise

• Solid understanding of structural engineering fundamentals

• Expert familiarity with governing codes for steel, concrete, masonry, and wood structural design.

• Independently perform seismic analysis and design on Risk Category III and IV steel, concrete, masonry and wood structures following ASCE-7 requirements.

• Writes clear internal and external communications (emails, meeting minutes, etc.)

• Performs complex structural design tasks independently

• Independently checks structural designs performed by other engineers

• Expert understanding of technical writing

• Prepares technical memorandums

• Divides complex projects into manageable tasks

• Leads design efforts as engineer-of-record on a variety of projects

• Leads complex technical reports

• Reviews technical memorandums and engineering reports

• Mentors others on engineering design tasks

• Contributes to project proposals

Teamwork

Leads structural design teams (3-5 people) to complete structural tasks. Structures lead overseeing delivery of structures work on multi-discipline projects.

Project Delivery

• Prepares structural calculations and cost estimates independently

• Creates CAD markups of structural details

• Writes technical specifications and develops contract plans independently. Assembles structural calculation books

• Oversees file management

• Advanced understanding of multi-discipline project delivery

• Actively mentors others

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Advanced understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets (i.e., estimate schedule for complex tasks); able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Mentors others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Expert understanding of standard design codes. Actively mentors others on interpreting design codes. Understands limitations of design codes.

Client Interaction

Answers questions and resolves issues related to individual design tasks. Resolves project issues on moderate to complex projects. Interacts with clients in project meetings. Consistently uses appropriate communication tools and understands appropriate messaging. Understands legal risks.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the Market Sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. May perform some project management tasks.

Supervisory Duties

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team

• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks

• Recruits and hires new employees

• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff

• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa

• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching

• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees

• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations

• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance

• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required (i.e. Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering)

• Years of experience required: 6 years

• Years of experience required with advanced degree (Master’s or PhD): 5 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE required; SE preferred

• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.