Freelance International Structural Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

As a Senior Structural Engineer (NSQEP), you will contribute to the delivery of complex structural engineering projects across the defence, research and nuclear sectors. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will undertake the design and analysis of complex seismic structures, supporting the delivery of safe and technically robust solutions. You will play an important role in project delivery by collaborating with clients, stakeholders and technical specialists while continuing to develop your expertise in safety-critical and highly regulated environments.

How you'll make a difference:

• Deliver structural and seismic design for complex buildings and safety-critical facilities within the defence, research and nuclear sectors.
• Undertake advanced structural analysis, including seismic assessment, dynamic analysis and structural modelling.
• Prepare technical calculations, reports and design documentation in accordance with project requirements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated and integrated engineering solutions.
• Support the development of nuclear safety cases, regulatory submissions and technical justifications.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Australian and international structural, seismic and nuclear design standards.
• Contribute to technical excellence through quality reviews, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• 6+ years' experience in structural engineering, ideally involving complex buildings, seismic structures or safety-critical projects.
• Experience working within defence, research, nuclear or other highly regulated environments is desirable.
• Developing knowledge of Australian and international structural, seismic and nuclear design standards.
• Proficiency in structural engineering software such as ETABS, SpaceGass, RAPT and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) packages.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Progress towards Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation is highly regarded.

Given the nature of projects, Australian Citizenship, or suitable AUKUS clearance is required for this role.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year         
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.