Structural Engineer Jobs in Portland, TN (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

At KPFF, we believe great engineering starts with great people. As a nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering firm, we deliver impactful projects across the country while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve.

Our Nashville team offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to continue building an established career close to home while working on innovative, high-profile projects nationwide. Whether you are looking to return to Nashville, deepen your local roots, or take the next step in your leadership journey, KPFF offers the reach and technical depth of a national firm with the culture and flexibility of a local team.

At KPFF, careers are shaped by initiative, mentorship, and leadership, not rigid corporate ladders. We invest heavily in developing future leaders through hands-on mentorship, technical collaboration, and opportunities to grow your career in the direction that matters most to you.

Learn more at kpff.com.

The Opportunity

Have you ever considered building something meaningful in a place that feels like home — with the backing, resources, and technical depth to do it at scale?

This role is designed for a seasoned structural engineer who is ready to step into a visible leadership role, help grow a team, expand a market, and help shape the future of KPFF’s presence in the Nashville area. As a Structural Engineering Group Leader, you will have the opportunity to lead with purpose: developing client relationships, building a high-performing team, mentoring the next generation of engineers, and helping your office drive the growth of a local practice with the support and strength of a national firm.

You do not have to choose between local impact and national opportunity. KPFF offers both: the influence to shape a growing local team and the platform to contribute to high-level projects nationwide. Whether you are returning to the Nashville area, deepening your community roots, or seeking a long-term leadership path closer to the people and place that matter most, this role gives you the room, resources, and support to build something lasting.

What You’ll Do

• With the support of your Team Leader and our Reporting Center Manager, you will help grow KPFF’s structural engineering group in the Nashville market, expand the office’s local presence, client base, and long-term impact.
• Assist in building, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team of engineers and BIM modelers through technical guidance, career development, delegation, and recruiting support.
• Strengthen and expand client relationships by identifying new opportunities, securing work, and positioning KPFF for continued growth, both locally and nationally
• Provide technical and project leadership across a range of structural systems, materials, project types, and delivery methods, from early planning through construction.
• Help shape office culture, team processes, and long-term strategy while connecting the Nashville office with KPFF’s regional and national resources, expertise, and leadership network.

Our purpose is to build relationships and community through engineering excellence—empowering people to achieve their personal and professional goals while delivering exceptional value to our clients.

Professional Background

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license is required. Structural Engineer (SE) license preferred
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Masters preferred) OR Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering
• 8+ years of progressive structural engineering experience, including leadership of complex projects and direct client interaction.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading teams of three or more engineers
• Design experience across a wide range of materials, project phases and sectors
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring and growth
• Experience with client development, relationship management, and business development is preferred, but not required. Candidates should have an interest in helping grow client partnerships, identify new opportunities, and support the continued expansion of the practice.

We Also Have Some Pretty Sweet Benefits!

At KPFF, we believe your growth goes beyond project work. We invest in every team member’s personal and professional development by offering generous paid time off to recharge, regular career check-ins to align goals and growth opportunities, and paid educational programs to support licensure and lifelong learning. Your success matters here — and we provide the time, resources, and mentorship to help you thrive.

• Generous PTO & Holiday Pay – supporting your wellbeing and rest, including 7 paid holidays, 2 flexible holidays, vacation, and personal/sick time accrual.
• Comprehensive Benefits – 2 healthcare options, dental, vision, FSA/HSA options, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), short and long term disability, life, & ADD insurance.
• Short-Term/Impact Bonus: Impact Bonuses are distributed on a semi-annual basis and are consistent with role, impact and Reporting Center Performance.
• Paid Family Leave: KPFF provides paid time off to help take care of your loved ones.
• Paid Overtime - KPFF pays you for every hour you work. Any hours over 40 can be cashed out monthly or saved for later and used as additional PTO.
• 401(k) with 3% Contribution – KPFF contributes whether you do or not!
• Mentorship – Through KPFF’s Forefront Education Program, you’ll receive unparalleled mentorship from seasoned professionals, empowering you to excel in your career from day one. Thrive in a setting that values your development and independence, where your ideas are welcomed, and your contributions make a real impact.
• PDH Budget – KPFF offers a bank of both funds and time to help further your education on an annual basis.
• Paid Exams, Memberships & Educational Opportunities – To help better support our team members, we provide reimbursement for the PE and SE exams, an annual membership budget, and also Reporting Center Wide educational opportunities for PDH hours.
• PE License Renewal – We pay for PE license renewals for 1 state/year.
• Flexible scheduling - core hours of collaboration are 8:30-4:30 PM.
• Paid Parking – KPFF provides parking or reimbursement for public transit for all team members.
• A fun, collaborative, and inclusive culture that values people first.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with occasional site visits
• Work is typically conducted in an office setting, with frequent use of a computer.
• May occasionally lift items up to 15 lbs

#LI-AK1

KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.