Structural Designer Jobs in California
Structural Designer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, commercial construction, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and large-scale infrastructure, with openings at every level from drafting-focused junior roles through senior positions leading complex structural systems. The highest hiring volume is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like AECOM, Jacobs Engineering, and Thornton Tomasetti maintain established California operations. The most sought-after specialties right now are seismic design, steel connection detailing, and BIM-integrated structural documentation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Join the firm AIA calls “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture.” Winner of the AIA 2025 Firm Award, we’re an integrated collective of designers and researchers united in a mission to eliminate carbon emissions and build a more equitable, livable future. LPA is seeking a passionate Structural Designer to join our integrated team of architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects and master planners. We are an award-winning multidisciplinary design firm that focuses on collaborative and sustainable design. Our structural engineering group has earned top awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), which honor “the most innovative projects in the world.”
As a member of our structural engineering team, you will work on a broad range of projects from office, education and recreation buildings to complex laboratories, health care facilities, and performing arts centers. Our award-winning projects aim to have a positive and enduring environmental, economic and social impact. You will join a high-performing, multi-disciplinary design team, and you will impact projects at each stage of design. We offer numerous education and mentoring opportunities including software training, tech talks, and monthly LPA-U courses centered around innovative and sustainable design practices. Join a firm where your voice is heard, creative design ideas are encouraged, and your work is highly regarded.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You'll Do:
- Participate in the integrated design process with other disciplines at LPA
- Assist Project Engineers and Project Managers in the comprehensive structural design of a large variety of building types and structural systems
- Work on research for next generation design and analysis methods related to projects
- Actively participate in the construction administration phase at projects
- Receive mentorship and training from Project Leaders, including a focus on preparation for PE and SE licensure
WHAT WE OFFER
- Provide mentorship from Managing Directors and Design Directors as well as other in-house disciplines on all projects
- Provide career growth opportunities including licensure incentives, professional development grants and our professional development process
- In-house management and leadership training opportunities
- Education opportunities including LPA+U and LPA Tech Talks
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or related field
- Knowledge of Revit, RAM, RISA and ETABs is preferred
- Enthusiastic commitment to the multidisciplinary design process and team environment
- Curious and open minded to learn
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
COMPENSATION
Compensation Range: $66K - $97K
LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs. This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.
Notice To Recruitment Agencies And Recruiters
Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.
See All 19 Structural Designer Jobs in California
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Find Structural Designer JobsStructural Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Structural Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Distribution & Wholesale
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in structural designer jobs across California.
- EIT or PE licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists preferred or required
- Proficiency in structural analysis and detailing software such as ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA
- Experience producing construction documents using Revit Structure or AutoCAD
- Working knowledge of California Building Code and seismic design requirements under ASCE 7
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering or architectural engineering
- Familiarity with BIM coordination workflows and interdisciplinary model review processes
Structural Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a structural designer in California?
The standard California path begins with a bachelor's degree in civil, structural, or architectural engineering, followed by registration as an Engineer-in-Training through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Most structural designers then pursue a Professional Engineer license in civil or structural engineering after accumulating supervised experience. Employers also look for demonstrated proficiency in seismic design, California Building Code compliance, and BIM tools before advancing to senior design roles.
How much do structural designers make in California?
Structural designers in California earn a median of about $122,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,980 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire structural designers in California?
Employers hiring structural designers in California right now include KPFF Consulting Engineers, LPA, and Stantec, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace contractors, public infrastructure agencies, and large commercial developers means openings appear across a broader range of industries here than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most structural designer jobs?
Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Francisco lead California for structural designer openings. Los Angeles anchors demand through its large commercial construction market and aerospace and entertainment facility work, San Francisco draws openings from tech campus development and seismic retrofit projects, and San Diego reflects strong activity from defense contractors and life sciences facility construction.
Are there remote structural designer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. Structural design involves site-specific code review, coordinated BIM modeling, and regular collaboration with architects and contractors, so fully remote arrangements are less common than in purely analytical roles. About 55% of structural designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are preliminary modeling, documentation, and interdisciplinary design reviews.
How can I get hired as a structural designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is an engineer-in-training role or junior drafter position at a mid-size California engineering firm, where you work under a licensed PE on permitted projects. Large firms like AECOM and Jacobs regularly bring on recent graduates into structured junior programs. Building a portfolio of coursework models, earthquake engineering studio projects, or open-source Revit files strengthens applications considerably, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early signals commitment to the PE path that California employers expect.
Where can I find and apply to structural designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to structural designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 19 Structural Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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