Trainee Graduate Structural Engineer Jobs in Potomac, MD

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world's challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.

OurProtective Designpractice helps architects, owners, developers, and public agencies worldwide achieve security objectives while upholding each project's aesthetic, functional and budgetary goals. A recognized leader in security services - with more than 60 years of experience - we collaborate with clients and project teams to develop physical, technical, and operational security solutions for facilities of every type, use, and size.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join the Protective Design & Security Practice at Thornton Tomasetti, supporting projects that protect people and assets from security threats in the built environment. This role blends engineering analysis, consulting, and collaboration, working alongside structural engineers, architects, and security specialists to assess risks and develop practical, high-performance protective design strategies for new and existing facilities.

You will lead and contribute to blast, ballistics, and forced-entry hardening efforts across a wide range of project types - transit, education, commercial, and critical infrastructure - translating advanced technical analyses into clear, implementable solutions. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of technical workstreams, engage directly with clients, and mentor junior staff while helping grow and refine the firm's protective design capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide protective design and physical security consulting for new and existing facilities, including blast design, site layout, vehicle barriers, and building hardening strategies.

• Perform blast loading, structural response, and nonlinear dynamic analyses using SDOF/MDOF, finite element, and commercial structural software.

• Develop and document design solutions through drawings, models, specifications, and technical reports.

• Conduct vulnerability assessments, peer reviews, and security studies of existing facilities.

• Coordinate with clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and security vendors to align requirements, schedules, and deliverables.

• Support project planning activities including scopes, budgets, proposals, and construction-phase reviews (submittals, RFIs, shop drawings).

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal tools, best practices, and knowledge-sharing across the team.

• Build client relationships and support repeat and new business opportunities within protective design.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering (graduate study in structural dynamics or related field preferred).

• 6+ years of experience in blast engineering, protective design, or facility hardening projects.

• Strong knowledge of structural dynamics and nonlinear behavior under blast, impact, and shock loading.

• Experience applying advanced analysis methods and clearly communicating technical findings to diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams and clients.

• PE license (or equivalent); additional licensure a plus.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

• Proficiency with blast/FEA and structural analysis software (e.g., SAP2000, ETABS, ANSYS, LS-DYNA) and standard documentation tools.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; self-directed, team-oriented, and adaptable.

• Familiarity with U.S. government security standards and BIM workflows (e.g., Revit) preferred.

Compensation

Benefits

Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare

• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Commuter Transit (where available)

• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments

• Fitness Reimbursement

• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives

Pursuant to the SanFrancisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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