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Structural Engineering Jobs in Yakima, WA (NOW HIRING)

Civil Engineer

Yakima, WA · On-site

$125K/yr

... structural, hydrologic, hydraulic, geotechnical, engineering geology to the investigation, design, construction, operation and maintenance of dams, and 2) Experience performing dam safety risk ...

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Structural Engineering information

See Yakima, WA salary details

$50.1K

$99.6K

$152.4K

How much do structural engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for structural engineering in Yakima, WA is $99,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,200.00 and $113,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is structural engineering?

Structural engineering is a specialized branch of civil engineering focused on designing, analyzing, and ensuring the safety and stability of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Structural engineers work to make sure that structures can withstand the loads and forces they encounter, such as gravity, wind, earthquakes, and human use. Their work involves selecting appropriate materials, creating blueprints, and sometimes inspecting construction sites to ensure compliance with design specifications. Structural engineering plays a vital role in the safety and durability of the built environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a structural engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Structural Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, usually backed by a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering and relevant licensure (such as a PE license). Proficiency in structural analysis software (like SAP2000, ETABS, or AutoCAD) and familiarity with building codes are essential technical requirements. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with architects, contractors, and clients. These skills ensure the safety, stability, and efficiency of structures while facilitating teamwork and compliance with regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges structural engineers face when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Structural engineers often collaborate closely with architects, civil engineers, and construction teams on multidisciplinary projects. One common challenge is aligning structural requirements with architectural aesthetics and project budgets without compromising safety or functionality. Effective communication and early involvement in the design process are key to resolving conflicts and ensuring structural integrity. Additionally, adapting to changing project scopes and coordinating with multiple stakeholders can require strong project management and problem-solving skills.

What is the difference between Structural Engineering vs Civil Engineering?

AspectStructural EngineeringCivil Engineering
CredentialsRequires a bachelor's degree in structural or civil engineering, PE license often preferredRequires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, PE license often preferred
Work EnvironmentFocuses on designing and analyzing structural systems for buildings, bridges, and towersEncompasses a broader range of infrastructure projects including roads, water systems, and urban planning
Industry UsageSpecialized within construction, architecture, and engineering firmsUsed across construction, transportation, urban development, and environmental sectors

Structural engineering is a specialized branch of civil engineering focused on designing and analyzing structures to ensure safety and stability. Civil engineering covers a broader scope of infrastructure projects. While structural engineers concentrate on the integrity of individual structures, civil engineers handle a wide range of infrastructure systems. Both roles often require similar credentials and work environments, but their project focus and scope differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Structural Engineering jobs in Yakima, WA? For Structural Engineering jobs in Yakima, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Structural Engineering jobs in Yakima, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Structural Engineering jobs in Yakima, WA are:
What cities near Yakima, WA are hiring for Structural Engineering jobs? Cities near Yakima, WA with the most Structural Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Structural Engineering job openings in Yakima, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,632 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

$125K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

412th of 842 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

You will serve as a Civil Engineer with Bureau of Reclamation, specializing in portfolio risk management and risk-informed decision making for high-hazard dams. You support dam safety policy, guidance development, mentoring, workload planning, new technologies, and modernization. You also represent Reclamation and Department Dam Safety Programs across government, industry, academia, and NSF research centers. Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.
To qualify for this position, you possess a current licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions).
Note: You must include a copy of current certification of professional engineering registration showing the expiration date.

-AND-

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the selective placement factor for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:
A. Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with at least one program being accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Your professional engineering curriculum must include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. . You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Possess a combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. A current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico will be considered as an acceptable display of both education and experience.
-AND-
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position at the GS-14 grade level, you must meet the following specialized experience:
EXPERIEINCE: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience includes: 1) Experience in independently applying one or more of the follow disciplines of civil engineers: structural, hydrologic, hydraulic, geotechnical, engineering geology to the investigation, design, construction, operation and maintenance of dams, and 2) Experience performing dam safety risk management activities and dam safety risk reduction actions, and 3) Experience managing dam safety risk management program objectives across a portfolio of dams.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualificationsEmployment Type: OTHER

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