Independent Contractor Structural Steel Checker Jobs in Chicago, IL

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES develops and integrates products, engineering support, repair and maintenance services to provide value‑added solutions to owners, engineers and contractors. We provide specialty contracting services through our contracting companies, and state‑of‑the‑art proprietary products and engineering support services through our technologies company. With over 2,500 employees working from locations nationwide and in select international markets, we serve the Commercial, Public, Transportation, Industrial, and Power markets to tackle the toughest construction challenges.

STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES is the in‑house engineering business line of Structural Group, which together are the largest specialty concrete repair contractors in the United States. Our engineering teams work closely with construction operations to investigate existing conditions, develop practical repair approaches, and support implementation in the field.

We are seeking an experienced Civil/Structural Engineer for our Chicago office. This role is ideal for an engineer with approximately 4 to 10 years of relevant experience who wants a blend of technical design, assessment of existing structures, construction support, field investigation, and project coordination. The role may be leveled based on the selected candidate’s experience, technical capability, licensure, and ability to independently deliver engineering work. The successful candidate will support structural assessment, repair, strengthening, and rehabilitation projects while collaborating with engineers, drafters, technicians, project managers, construction teams, clients, and contractors.

• Evaluate existing structures for deterioration, damage, serviceability issues, and compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Develop structural repair and retrofit concepts for concrete, steel, and other structural systems used in industrial, power generation, and infrastructure environments.
• Prepare and review engineering calculations, sketches, drawings, specifications, letters, and technical reports.
• Perform structural analysis and design using hand calculations and common engineering software.
• Collaborate with construction teams to integrate repair solutions with field conditions, constructability, sequencing, safety, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Perform site visits, field investigations, condition assessments, and construction support activities; document observations and communicate findings clearly.
• Respond to changed field conditions and support design updates, RFIs, and repair implementation decisions.
• Coordinate with internal teams, clients, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to drive successful project outcomes.
• Assist with project planning, scope definition, schedule, budget tracking, and coordination of engineering deliverables.
• Support junior engineers, designers, drafters, and technicians as appropriate for the candidate’s experience level.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• Approximately 4 to 10 years of relevant structural engineering experience.
• Experience with assessment, repair, strengthening, rehabilitation, or construction support for existing structures preferred.
• Engineering Intern / Engineer‑in‑Training certification preferred for earlier‑career experienced candidates; Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred and required for higher‑level consideration.
• Working knowledge of structural codes and standards such as ACI, IBC, ASCE, AISC, AWS, ICRI or similar industry standards.
• Experience with reinforced concrete design, structural steel design and repair, structural analysis/modeling, shoring, formwork, or related structural practice areas.
• Proficiency with one or more tools such as SAP2000, STAAD.Pro, RISA, ETABS, RAM Concept, Mathcad, SPColumn, TEDDS, ADAPT, AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam or similar software.
• Strong technical writing skills, verbal communication skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage personal tasks, deadlines, and priorities while contributing to broader project objectives.
• Willingness to travel for site visits, field investigations, and project support as needed; ability to gain access to client facilities including industrial and power generation sites.

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Licensed Structural Engineer (SE), or ability to obtain PE licensure in the near term.
• Experience with concrete repair, concrete degradation mechanisms, structural steel connections, temporary structures, equipment foundations, environmental containment, silos, chimneys, cooling towers, or similar project types.
• Experience preparing complete drawing packages, calculations, specifications, or other construction documents.
• Experience interpreting field investigation results to identify root causes and develop practical repair recommendations.
• Finite element analysis experience using tools such as ANSYS, SAP2000, STAAD.Pro or equivalent.
• Active participation in professional organizations such as ASCE, ACI, AMPP, SEI, or ICRI.

Opportunity to work on complex and meaningful repair projects that directly impact the safety and longevity of critical infrastructure. Close collaboration with construction teams gives you the chance to see your engineering solutions implemented in the field. Career growth and professional development opportunities within a structured engineering career path. Collaborative, supportive, and team‑oriented work environment. Competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, 401(k), paid holidays and vacation, tuition reimbursement, and career development opportunities.

Ready to Build Something Stronger? Our ideal candidate is a positively focused professional who wants to grow as a technical resource in Civil/Structural Engineering while helping deliver industry‑leading repair solutions.

EOE/M/F/D/V