Lead Structural Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group at Sargent & Lundy — Chicago, USA | Base Career

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This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your experience and knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to support creative, cost effective solutions for existing and new designs. You will work on a wide range of power plant and industrial facility modifications and upgrades to support client requests and reviews including creating calculations, design documents, and specifications. Additionally, you will be conducting structural analyses, which include complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.
As a structural lead, you will be responsible for guiding junior-level engineers and designers in structural engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of structural engineering work.
You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting and solving a wide variety of structural engineering issues.
Using our state-of-the-art computer tools, you will perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations.
Develop integrated structural designs and perform supporting calculations for the planned work.
Prepare technical specifications for structural materials.
Prepare engineering studies.
Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers. This may include performing on-site structural condition assessments and recommendations for repair/modification of existing structures that have various levels of degradation or are being repurposed.
Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
Client interface will likely include travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for condition assessments, construction coordination and field verification of designs.

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.

must include the selection of structural materials and the review and preparation of specifications.

PE license required.
Experience in writing and providing support documentation for structural engineering calculations.
Technically knowledgeable of the practical application of structural engineering including analysis for structural supports, loads, and design integrity.
Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.
Proficiency with any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.
Familiarity with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.
Proficiency with MS Office applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

Construction and start-up experience a plus.
Commissioning experience a plus.

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees.

Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives.

We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits.

Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities.

We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity.

Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers.

EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power.

We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

Lead Structural Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group

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Experience

• Life & Accident Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• FSA & HSA

• Corporate Charitable Giving Program

• Paid Annual Personal And Sick Time (PST)

• Flexible Work Arrangements

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