Senior / Lead / Principal Structural Engineer – Heavy Steel Design (Civil/Structural)

Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote)

Our client, a global leader in heavy-load handling and positioning systems, is hiring an experienced Civil / Structural Engineer to take a lead role in the design and analysis of heavy steel structures. This hybrid Houston-based role offers leadership visibility, technical impact, and long-term stability in an employee-owned company with an exceptional retention rate.

This is designed for engineers with a civil/structural background in structural steel design, bridge structures, large fabricated assemblies, and finite element analysis (FEA).

Key Must-Haves (Required Skills):

• Structural engineering software proficiency: Advanced use of RISA-3D, STAAD Pro, ETABS, or SAP2000 for civil/structural modeling and analysis.

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Hands-on ability to run your own FEA simulations using ANSYS or SolidWorks (required).

• Heavy steel design expertise (6+ years): Strong background in structural steel design, welded and bolted steel connections, and plate girder design.

• Strong knowledge of AISC steel codes, non-linear FEA, and structural load analysis for civil structures.

• 3D structural modeling experience in SolidWorks or similar design software.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Bonus Skills (Nice to Have):

• Foundation design for large equipment and mounted heavy steel structures.

• Structural design of bridge-type structures, cranes, lifting frames, and large-scale plate girders.

• Familiarity with hydraulic/mechanical integration into steel structures.

• Working knowledge of MathCAD, AutoCAD/DraftSight, and additional FEA tools.

• Experience with certifying bodies (ABS, DNVGL, Lloyd’s, etc.).

• Broader knowledge of civil and structural codes (AISC, ANSI, ASTM).

What You’ll Do:

• Design and analyze heavy steel structures for complex load-bearing and lifting applications.

• Create and validate civil/structural models and FEA simulations to ensure safety and performance.

• Lead the design of structural steel connections, plate girders, and large assemblies.

• Oversee material selection and design modifications for heavy-load systems.

• Collaborate with senior engineering leaders and contribute to high-visibility technical reviews.

• Own the technical integrity of designs from concept through delivery.