Trainee Graduate Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Summary

We’re growing our Water/Wastewater Team and looking for a Structural Group Leader (P.E./S.E.) who’s ready to make a meaningful impact — not only on projects, but on people, clients, and the direction of our structural practice.

In this role, you won’t just help shape projects — you’ll help shape the business. As a key leader within our national Water/Wastewater practice, you will provide senior-level structural expertise on civil-led projects and proposals while also setting the strategic direction for your group. You’ll partner with Senior Leadership to establish project budgets, drive project delivery, and track group financial performance.

Our structural team brings together engineers and designers with diverse experience and a shared commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and technical excellence. As Group Leader, you’ll guide that team — developing talent, strengthening client relationships, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects.

From reinforced concrete tanks and water-bearing structures to masonry and precast buildings, facility evaluations, and structural systems such as pipe supports, platforms, catwalks, and railings — your leadership will directly support the backbone of essential treatment facilities and the communities they serve.

Beyond the technical work, this is an opportunity to lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team while influencing strategic growth initiatives and expanding client partnerships nationwide.

If you’re looking for a role where your leadership matters, your decisions shape outcomes, and your impact extends beyond individual projects — we’d love to connect.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assigns tasks and schedules to Staff Engineers, Project Engineers and non-exempt project team members, answers questions, and monitors progress.
• Completes major design tasks with limited supervision that meet the needs of internal and external customers, primarily design of Water/Wastewater and Utility based projects, primarily with concrete, masonry, and steel design.
• Checks the accuracy (formal and informal QA/QC) of assigned tasks completed by other engineering and technical staff.
• Makes major design decisions that meet the needs of external customers while coordinating the impact of such decisions on related project efforts.
• Pro-actively identifies technical, schedule or financial issues and seeks resolution from the Project Manager and/or the client, as appropriate to the situation.
• Monitors construction and supervises field personnel assigned to a task, data collection or a specific project.
• Responds to contractor questions and issues and prepares and issues project addenda as needed.
• Recommends and prepares change orders.
• Participates in the creation of engineering services proposals, including the calculation/estimation of time schedules and costs of the proposed work.
• Signs and seals engineering documents as an authorized representative of the company.
• Visit Wastewater Treatment Plants and other project sites as needed.

Education and Experience

• Previous water/wastewater experience strongly preferred.
• Must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering from an accredited four-year or graduate engineering university in a relevant discipline.
• P.E. certification in one or more states in which HR Green, Inc. conducts business (or have the ability to obtain such registration within six months of employment).
• S.E. certification in one or more states in which HR Green, Inc. conducts business, where relevant (or have the ability to obtain such registration within 24 months of employment).
• Has worked for seven or more years as a Lead Engineer or Project Manager.
• Possess fifteen or more years of design/engineering experience and a demonstrated ability to act as an authorized agent of the company to sign engineering documents.
• Possess strong technical verbal and technical writing skills and be able to read technical literature and engineering plans.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be able to apply professional knowledge to the solution of both routine and non-routine tasks and engineering activities.
• Proficient knowledge of computer use and office software (Word, Excel, Bluebeam, etc.).
• Working knowledge of structural modeling / calculation software, such as STAAD, MathCAD, Tekla TEDDS, or similar.
• Oversight of Drafters and Design Technicians - working knowledge in office automation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Revit preferred.
• Understanding of complete drawing package.
• Familiarity with ACI 318 required. Familiarity ACI 350 preferred.
• Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be able to apply professional knowledge to the solution of both routine and non-routine tasks and engineering activities.
• The employee must be capable of driving/operating a motor vehicle for company business and maintain a valid driver’s license in the state of residence.

Benefits

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package. Visit our website for detailed total rewards information.

https://www.hrgreen.com/careers/total-rewards/

Compensation Range

$126,000.00 - 206,000.00

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Minnesota Omnibus Labor and Industry Policy Bill Article 7 Section 2 and the Illinois Salary Transparency amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, skills, prior work experience, competencies, and geographic work location. The total annual compensation package may consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate, after a qualifying period, in our performance and discretionary incentive bonus program(s).

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.