Vice President Structural Engineering Research Jobs

WSP is searching for an Assistant Vice President, Structural Engineer to join our Property & Buildings team in Los Angeles, CA.
Provides technical and business leadership for the planning, analysis, design, investigation, and delivery of building structures and architecturally significant structural systems across public and private sector projects. Responsibilities include developing structural concepts and detailed designs for new buildings, renovations, adaptive reuse, and specialty architectural structures, while also leading teams, strengthening client relationships, and expanding structural engineering services in the local market. This role guides project teams and managers in applying advanced structural engineering methods, digital delivery tools, and emerging technologies to solve complex design challenges, drive profitable growth, support new business development, and deliver high-quality, future-ready outcomes.
 

• Lead the structural engineering of buildings and architecturally complex structures from concept through construction, including tall buildings, long-span spaces, adaptive reuse, facade-supporting systems, and other signature architectural elements.
• Provide leadership to structural engineering teams, including mentoring, staff development, technical oversight, workload planning, and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Drive the growth of structural engineering services in the local market by building client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting strategic pursuits, and helping expand market presence.
• Partner with architects, owners, developers, and internal leadership to develop new business opportunities and position the team for complex and high-value building projects.
• Apply advanced structural analysis, parametric design, BIM-enabled coordination, and digital delivery workflows to develop efficient, high-performing, and constructible structural solutions.
• Direct the use of structural modeling, computational design, and performance-based engineering approaches to evaluate gravity, lateral, vibration, and serviceability demands for building systems.
• Oversee investigations, condition assessments, and rehabilitation strategies for existing buildings and structural components, translating findings into practical, code-compliant solutions.
• Develop design criteria, technical specifications, calculations, and construction documents for building structures, coordinating closely with architects, MEP engineers, contractors, specialty consultants, and clients.
• Champion the integration of emerging technologies, digital tools, advanced materials, and data-informed decision-making to improve design quality, efficiency, and project outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary project teams, including scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, QA/QC, risk management, and oversight of staff and subconsultants.
• Review structural designs, delegated engineering packages, shop drawings, and construction-phase submittals to ensure alignment with project requirements, code intent, and design excellence.
• Represent the structural practice in the local market through client engagement, industry visibility, networking, and collaboration across offices and disciplines.
• Support proposal development, interviews, fee strategy, and capture planning for pursuits aligned with the growth of the building structures practice.
• Remain current with advances in structural engineering, building codes, analysis platforms, materials, digital workflows, and construction technologies.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
   

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering.
• 10+ years of relevant post-education experience in structural engineering, with a strong background in the design and delivery of building structures and architecturally complex projects.
• Professional Engineer license required; SE licensure and multi-state registration preferred.
• Highly proficient in structural engineering principles, systems, and design practices for steel, concrete, timber, masonry, and composite building structures.
• Demonstrated experience leading structural engineering teams, mentoring staff, managing technical delivery, and supporting the professional growth of engineers and designers.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, identify and pursue new business opportunities, and contribute to the growth of structural engineering services in a local or regional market.
• Demonstrated experience in building design, renovation, rehabilitation, and construction administration, including collaboration with architects, owners, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong knowledge of applicable building codes, structural standards, and regulatory requirements governing building design and construction.
• Highly proficient in structural analysis, technical calculations, and the development of rational, efficient, and code-compliant structural solutions.
• Experience with structural assessments, investigations, and retrofit strategies for existing buildings and structural systems.
• Highly effective communication skills, with the ability to explain complex structural concepts clearly to engineering and non-engineering audiences and represent the practice externally.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide teams, coordinate stakeholders, build trusted client relationships, and support strategic growth initiatives.
• Experience supporting proposals, interviews, fee development, and business capture strategies for structural engineering pursuits.
• Works independently to provide technical direction and leadership to mid-level and senior-level team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office tools, and discipline-specific software such as ETABS, SAP2000, RAM, SAFE, Revit, Rhino/Grasshopper, AutoCAD, and other structural analysis and digital delivery platforms.
• Experienced in reviewing complex technical deliverables, calculations, drawings, and specifications with a high degree of accuracy and professional judgment.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply engineering knowledge, interpret data, and develop practical, economical, and innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in coordinating with contractors, specialty engineers, and project teams to deliver structural solutions safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Structural Engineering or related discipline.
• SE licensure preferred.
• Experience with computational design, parametric modeling, digital fabrication workflows, or advanced analysis methods for architecturally complex structures.
• Established local market presence and professional network with experience supporting practice growth, client development, or strategic positioning of structural services.
• Seismic design experience

WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $174,000-$213,000
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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