Product Development Assistant Jobs in Portland, ME

Job Purpose

The Structural Engineer is responsible for the structural design, analysis, and technical support of reinforced precast concrete products used in underground stormwater management systems. This position serves as the company's technical expert for reinforced concrete design, reinforcing steel detailing, product development, and manufacturing support.

Working closely with the Technical Services, Manufacturing, and Sales, this individual will ensure all products meet structural performance requirements, applicable codes, manufacturing capabilities, and quality standards while supporting continued innovation across the company's product lines. While the primary focus of this role is structural engineering for reinforced precast concrete products, the successful candidate will also support civil and stormwater engineering efforts, assisting with project-specific designs, technical reviews, and engineering support for the company's full portfolio of stormwater management solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Technical Leadership

• Provide structural engineering expertise and technical guidance to the Technical Services team.
• Review structural designs, calculations, and engineering documentation prepared internally.
• Support Technical Services personnel with engineering questions throughout project development.
• Mentor junior engineering staff and assist with technical development.
• Assist in developing engineering standards, calculation procedures, and design practices.

Structural Design

• Design reinforced precast concrete structures for underground stormwater applications.
• Perform structural analysis for concrete components subjected to earth loads, live loads, hydrostatic pressure, surcharge loading, construction loading, and lifting conditions.
• Prepare structural calculations supporting project-specific designs.
• Review and approve structural shop drawings.
• Evaluate existing product designs for structural efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Assist with engineering support throughout project lifecycle.

Reinforced Concrete & Reinforcement Design

• Design reinforcing steel layouts for precast concrete structures.
• Develop reinforcement schedules and bar detailing.
• Design reinforcement for flexure, shear, crack control, temperature and shrinkage reinforcement, development lengths, lap splices, anchorage, and lifting requirements.
• Optimize reinforcement layouts to improve manufacturing efficiency while maintaining structural performance.
• Review reinforcement substitutions and evaluate acceptable alternatives.
• Develop standard reinforcement details for manufacturing.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable concrete cover and durability requirements.

Manufacturing Support

• Provide engineering support to precast concrete manufacturing partners.
• Assist vendors with production startup for new products.
• Evaluate manufacturing methods for structural compliance.
• Assist in troubleshooting production issues involving reinforcement placement, formwork, embedded hardware, inserts, lifting anchors, and concrete placement.
• Visit manufacturing facilities to support production and resolve technical issues.
• Assist in developing manufacturing procedures and engineering documentation.

Product Development

• Design and develop new precast concrete products from concept through production.
• Participate in product testing and prototype evaluations.
• Evaluate new reinforcement systems, lifting devices, and concrete technologies.
• Develop standard drawings and engineering documentation for new products.
• Work closely with Manufacturing and Sales during new product launches.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across all product lines.

Quality Control & Technical Review

• Review structural calculations prepared internally or externally.
• Verify compliance with ACI, ASTM, PCI, AASHTO, and applicable building codes.
• Review fabrication drawings for structural accuracy.
• Evaluate field issues involving cracking, reinforcement, lifting, or structural performance.
• Provide engineering support during field installations when required.
• Assist in investigating product performance and recommending corrective actions.

Technical Support

• Provide engineering support to customers, contractors, consulting engineers, and internal departments.
• Prepare technical reports and engineering documentation.
• Participate in meetings with engineers, owners, contractors, and manufacturing partners.
• Assist Sales and Technical Services with engineering questions during project development.
• Conduct occasional field visits and site inspections.

 Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with advances in reinforced concrete design and precast manufacturing.
• Research new engineering technologies and manufacturing methods.
• Participate in industry organizations and technical conferences.
• Monitor changes to applicable design standards and building codes.
• Recommend improvements to products and engineering procedures.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering required.

Licensure

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Ability to obtain PE licensure within a reasonable timeframe is desirable.

Experience

• 5–10 years of structural engineering experience.
• Experience designing reinforced concrete structures.
• Experience with precast concrete products strongly preferred.
• Experience with underground concrete structures is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or fabrication operations is preferred.

Technical Knowledge

Candidates should possess strong knowledge in:

• Reinforced concrete design
• Reinforcing steel detailing
• Structural analysis
• Precast concrete manufacturing
• Lifting anchor design
• Underground stormwater structures
• Box culverts
• Utility structures
• Retaining structures
• Concrete durability
• Structural cracking and serviceability
• Manufacturing tolerances
• Quality assurance

Codes & Standards

Working knowledge of:

• ACI 318
• PCI Design Handbook
• ASTM Standards
• AASHTO LRFD
• OSHA requirements
• NPCA Standards

Software Skills

Proficiency with:

• AutoCAD
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft Excel
• Structural analysis software
  

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to explain complex engineering concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Collaborative team player.

Low Impact Development Technologies (LID Tech), LLC is a leader in innovative stormwatermanagement solutions. Our mission is to design, build, and implement high-performance systems that prioritize sustainability, constructability, and long-term environmental performance.