Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL
Structural engineer jobs in Chicago are in strong demand, concentrated in the Loop, River North, and the rapidly expanding Lincoln Yards and Fulton Market corridors, across high-rise construction, transportation infrastructure, and municipal projects. Employers hiring right now include Sargent & Lundy, Burns & McDonnell, and EXP. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Structural Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 93+ Structural Engineer jobs







This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Structural Engineer for our Chicago, IL office. Be involved in projects with our Property and Buildings Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.
Provides technical assistance and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, improvement, and/or construction of building and infrastructure projects in the public and private sector. Tasks may include assisting with the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of load-bearing structures. Substantiates reports and documentation regarding material, installations, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, structural soundness, and functionality.
Your Impact
- Determine well-defined methods for collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, blueprints, subsurface utility information, maps, geotechnical data, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.
- Perform professional structural engineering work and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, resources, building and infrastructure to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
- Develop construction plans and specifications.
- Develop or incorporate advanced modeling techniques, concept development, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, transportation vehicles/systems, and incorporate future-ready solutions with structural engineering design standards.
- Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, architects, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on multiple concurrent projects, assist with laying out installations, establishing reference points/elevations/grades to guide construction, selecting appropriate materials to ensure durability, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
- Verify the characteristics of a site, providing technical guidance on securing structural soundness from loads and pressures caused by environmental or human influence.
- Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, sketches, calculations, and 2D/3D illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
- Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, statistical analysis, and reporting.
- Assist with development and scoping of medium-sized projects.
- Provide guidance and training to entry-level engineers.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or construction issues or opportunities.
- Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during site investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
- Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
- Comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record compliance and retention.
- Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
- Remain current in latest structural engineering techniques and practices.
- Work collaboratively with other engineers, professionals, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, local, and privately funded improvement and development projects.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, or closely related discipline.
- 5 to 7 years of relevant post education experience in engineering discipline and prior structural or civil design experience.
- Engineer in Training Certification.
- Proficient knowledge of structural engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to project work-related issues.
- Experience with design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation and new design projects.
- Working knowledge of relevant structural and civil construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
- Ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
- Project management experience with small to mid-level projects including tracking hours and expenses for project work.
- Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of buildings, facilities, or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
- Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., RAM Concept, ETABS, etc.), technology, math principles, physics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
- Developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
- Ability to assertively direct others in the field such as subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Engineering.
- Essential Professional Licensure/Certification. Experience managing small to mid-size projects.
Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $95,500 - $131,910
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
#LI-GA1
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
See All 93 Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Structural Engineer JobsStructural Engineer Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy15

- Burns & McDonnell11

- EXP4

- Stantec4

- Thornton Tomasetti4

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services38
- Construction & Real Estate11
- Energy8
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a structural engineer job in Chicago?
Target the sectors that drive Chicago's structural engineering market: high-rise and mixed-use development in the Loop and River North, transit and bridge work with the city's infrastructure agencies, and the wave of industrial-to-residential conversions reshaping the North Side. Firms doing major public work, large MEP and civil consultancies, and city agencies like CDOT are the most active employers. A portfolio showing experience with Chicago's building code and cold-climate load conditions gives candidates a clear edge.
Which companies hire structural engineers in Chicago?
Companies currently hiring structural engineers in Chicago include Sargent & Lundy, Burns & McDonnell, and EXP, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Chicago's market is anchored by national engineering consultancies with large local offices, general contractors managing downtown high-rise projects, and public agencies overseeing bridge and transit infrastructure.
Are there remote structural engineer jobs in Chicago?
Yes, but only for certain parts of the work. Structural engineering is largely site-dependent, so fully remote roles are rare, though design, analysis, and report-writing phases are increasingly done off-site. About 65% of structural engineer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with most hybrid arrangements concentrating the on-site days around construction observation and client meetings. Analytical and BIM-heavy positions at consultancies offer the most schedule flexibility.
How can I get a structural engineer job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is through a junior engineer or EIT role at a mid-size structural consultancy, which makes up a large share of the city's market. Chicago's active public infrastructure programs through agencies like the Chicago Department of Transportation also hire entry-level engineers for project support roles. A degree from an Illinois or Midwest engineering program, familiarity with Revit or SAP2000, and any project exposure from university design-build competitions or co-ops make applications noticeably more competitive locally.
Which industries hire the most structural engineers in Chicago?
Chicago structural engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Construction & Real Estate, and Energy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Chicago's density of high-rise construction, its aging bridge and transit network, and sustained public investment in infrastructure keep those sectors as the primary engines of local structural engineering demand.
Related Jobs in Illinois
See All 93 Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Structural Engineer Jobs