Civil Engineering Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

Civil Engineer 1 – Structural

Location: Vancouver, WA

Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days onsite

Employment Type: Contract

Level: Civil Engineer 1 – Structural

Position Overview

We are seeking a Civil Engineer 1 – Structural to support a Structural and Civil Engineering organization within a major electric transmission utility. This role will provide engineering support for the analysis, design, maintenance, repair, and modernization of structural assets across transmission lines, substations, telecommunications facilities, and buildings.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, self-motivated engineer who can manage workload independently while working closely with senior engineers and technical leads. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career structural engineer to gain hands-on experience with utility infrastructure, structural analysis, design, field support, and engineering standards.

This position is hybrid and requires 3 days onsite in Vancouver, WA. Additional onsite days may be required based on training, project, workload, or business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Substation Structural Engineering

Support analysis and design of substation structures, including towers, poles, frames, trusses, pedestals, racks, and equipment supports.

Analyze existing structures for adequacy under new or increased loading and changes in design criteria.

Assist with designs for new structures, including installation drawings, design criteria drawings, and structural detailing.

Provide construction support and engineering assistance.

Work may involve steel, concrete, wood, aluminum, and other structural materials.

Transmission Structural Engineering

Support analysis and design of transmission line structures, including lattice steel/aluminum towers, steel poles, wood poles, concrete structures, and related foundations.

Evaluate existing structures for new or increased loading and changing design requirements.

Assist with new structure designs, installation drawings, design criteria, and detailing.

Support design and review of fall protection systems.

Provide construction support.

Telecommunications Structural Engineering

Support structural engineering for telecommunications infrastructure, including microwave towers, monopoles, mounting hardware, waveguide/ice bridges, cable trays, and related components.

Analyze existing structures and non-structural components for adequacy.

Assist with retrofit and modification designs.

Develop and document structural design criteria for vendor-designed communication structures.

Support fall protection design and review.

Provide construction support.

Building Structural Engineering

Assist with structural analysis and design for existing and new buildings.

Perform structural and seismic evaluations of existing structures.

Support strengthening and retrofit designs for vertical and lateral load-resisting systems.

Design equipment and non-structural component anchorage.

Produce installation, design criteria, and minor detailing drawings.

Support fall protection anchorage design.

Prepare structural calculations and technical reports.

Provide construction support.

Structural Maintenance & Program Sustainment

Support structural inspections and adequacy assessments.

Assist with development of structural engineering standards and specifications.

Support retrofit and repair designs, including seismic strengthening, remodels, additions, and additional roof loading.

Assist with replacement designs related to steel corrosion, concrete deterioration, and aging infrastructure.

Support engineering responses to unexpected structural damage, including vehicle impacts, animal impacts, landslides, and snow loading.

Assist with material procurement activities associated with repairs and replacements.

Perform occasional quality assurance visits to fabrication shops and provide technical observations and recommendations for senior engineering review.

Technology Innovation & R&D

Support structural engineering research and development activities.

Assist with testing, field evaluations, and coordination with testing personnel and vendors.

Prepare technical reports and presentations.

Participate in meetings, field visits, and industry activities as needed.

Assist engineering leaders with technical research and project funding justifications.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor''s degree from an ABET-accredited college or university in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

At least 6 months of practical structural engineering experience.

Professional knowledge of civil and structural engineering concepts and principles.

Practical knowledge of conventional engineering methodologies used in the planning, design, and maintenance of public electric utilities, power plants, transmission systems, or similar infrastructure.

Ability to work on projects of limited scope and assist senior engineers with more complex engineering projects.

Required Technical Experience

At least 6 months of experience with:

Structural design using the current International Building Code (IBC).

ASCE 7 and ASCE 10.

Structural analysis software such as SAP2000, RISA, tnxTower, PLS-POLE, or comparable commercial software.

Modern structural analysis techniques.

Industry structural design standards, including AISC and ACI.

Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Bentley MicroStation or similar CAD software.

Knowledge of engineering concepts and practices applicable to regional electric transmission systems.

Familiarity with ASCE 41 for seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings.

Experience with utility, transmission, substation, telecommunications, or other critical infrastructure projects.

Additional Requirements

Valid U.S. Driver''s License.

First Aid/CPR/AED certification required within 30 days of assignment start and must be maintained throughout the assignment.

Ability to work in office and field environments, including occasional visits to substations and other utility facilities.

Ability to comply with applicable OSHA, safety, and site-specific requirements.

Physical & Field Requirements

This position may require:

Frequent walking, bending, and stooping.

Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

Occasional field visits and work around substations or energized electrical equipment.

Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Required PPE may include a white hard hat, eye protection, gloves, and compliant safety footwear, as well as electrical and arc-flash protective clothing when required.

Training

Required training may include:

Asset Suite training.

Shock & Arc Flash Awareness training and applicable res.

First Aid/CPR/AED.

PPE and applicable site safety training.

Additional training required for specific field activities or work environments.

Work Environment

The engineering team is collaborative, technically focused, and committed to maintaining a positive work environment and healthy work-life balance. Team members are expected to work independently while communicating effectively with senior engineers, technical leads, project teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be flexible, collaborative, team-oriented, proactive, and capable of self-managing their workload in an environment that includes both collaborative and independent work.

Contract & Compliance

This is a contract engineering position supporting work within a federal electric utility environment. Contract personnel may provide engineering analysis, technical recommendations, and support but do not make decisions reserved for federal personnel or direct federal employees.

The assignment may require completion of background investigations, confidentiality agreements, information security and privacy training, and other applicable compliance requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply with a current resume highlighting structural engineering experience, structural analysis/design software proficiency, relevant engineering codes and standards, and experience with utility or infrastructure projects.