Principal Structural Engineer

Job Title: Principal Structural Engineer Job Description
This role serves as a recognized structural subject matter expert responsible for leading dynamic analysis and machine foundation design for power generation and heavy industrial facilities. The principal structural engineer drives advanced vibration studies, finite element analysis, and structural integrity assessments while providing technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams. The position focuses on delivering robust, safe, and efficient structural solutions for complex rotating equipment and heavy industrial structures.
Responsibilities
- Lead the dynamic analysis and design of machine foundations for power generation and heavy industrial facilities.
- Perform advanced vibration analysis, including evaluation of rotating equipment behavior and its impact on structural performance.
- Conduct finite element analysis (FEA) to assess structural integrity, stress distribution, and dynamic response of foundations and supporting structures.
- Develop and review structural designs for concrete and other structural systems, with a strong emphasis on foundations for turbines and combustion equipment.
- Oversee structural integrity assessments and ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and industry best practices.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams, including structural, civil, and mechanical engineers.
- Collaborate with project teams to integrate structural solutions into overall facility designs for power generation, oil, gas, and refinery projects.
- Utilize engineering software such as STAAD and RISA to model, analyze, and optimize structural and foundation systems.
- Evaluate soil-structure interaction effects and incorporate them into foundation and structural design approaches.
- Support projects involving power generation facilities, including combustion turbines and related heavy industrial equipment.
- Participate in and guide vibration studies for rotating equipment to mitigate risk and enhance reliability of foundations and structures.
- Contribute to growth initiatives by mentoring junior engineers and supporting the development of best practices and design standards.
- Review and validate structural engineering deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and constructability.
- Collaborate with other disciplines to resolve complex design challenges and ensure coordinated project execution.
- Engage in occasional forensic engineering evaluations when preferred qualifications align with project needs.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil or Structural Engineering.
- 15+ years of structural engineering experience.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Strong background in structural and civil engineering, including structural design and foundation design.
- Proven expertise in dynamic machine foundation design for power generation or heavy industrial facilities.
- Hands-on experience with finite element analysis (FEA) for structural applications.
- Experience working with rotating equipment and understanding its impact on foundation and structural design.
- background in power generation or heavy industrial projects such as oil, gas, refinery, or similar facilities.
- Proficiency with structural analysis and design tools such as STAAD.
- Proficiency with structural analysis and design tools such as RISA.
- Demonstrated ability to perform dynamic analysis and vibration analysis for structural systems.
- Knowledge of soil-structure interaction principles and their application in foundation design.
- Strong understanding of structural integrity assessment for industrial structures and foundations.
- Experience with concrete structural and foundation design in industrial environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Structural Engineer (SE) license is preferred.
- Experience in forensic engineering is preferred.
- Familiarity with Navisworks for model review and coordination is preferred.
- Experience with turbine foundation design, particularly for combustion turbines, is preferred.
- Exposure to power generation projects and heavy industrial environments such as oil, gas, and refinery facilities.
- Ability to provide technical leadership and mentorship within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills suited to complex industrial projects.
Work Environment
This position typically follows a standard 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule for a total of 40 hours per week. Alternative schedules may be available depending on project needs and leadership approval, including options such as a 4x9 schedule with a half-day on Fridays or a similar arrangement that incorporates one half-day each week. The role supports projects in power generation and heavy industrial settings, including oil, gas, and refinery facilities, with a focus on structural and foundation engineering for rotating equipment and combustion turbines. The work environment emphasizes professional growth, offering opportunities for increased responsibility and advancement, along with benefits such as paid holidays and paid time off.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100.00 - $120.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

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It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
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shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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