Lead Structural Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group
Sargent & Lundy
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Chicago, IL · Posted October 26, 2026
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Where Chicago, IL placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for government pay after cost of living$146k · of 18
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest684 jobs · of 51
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes684 jobs · of 36
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Midwest1,140 openings · of 59
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Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among engineers, all other is little observed so far. Measured exposure for engineers, all other: 7% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
Responsibilities
This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your experience and knowledge of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design to support creative, cost effective solutions for existing and new designs. You will work on a wide range of power plant and industrial facility modifications and upgrades to support client requests and reviews including creating calculations, design documents, and specifications. Additionally, you will be conducting structural analyses, which include complex loading conditions such as wind, seismic, blast, and pressurization.
As a structural lead, you will be responsible for guiding junior-level engineers and designers in structural engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of structural engineering work.
You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting and solving a wide variety of structural engineering issues.
Using our state-of-the-art computer tools, you will perform structural analysis and design of steel frames, connections, concrete members, equipment and piping supports, and foundations.
Develop integrated structural designs and perform supporting calculations for the planned work.
Prepare technical specifications for structural materials.
Prepare engineering studies.
Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers. This may include performing on-site structural condition assessments and recommendations for repair/modification of existing structures that have various levels of degradation or are being repurposed.
Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
Client interface will likely include travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for condition assessments, construction coordination and field verification of designs.
This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Master's in Civil Engineering preferred) with structural engineering emphasis from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
Fifteen or more years of working as a member of a project team environment in the design of non-commercial, heavy industrial plants, with a focus on the analysis of steel structures, concrete foundations and supports for new plants or modifications or replacements for existing plants. Experience must include the selection of structural materials and the review and preparation of specifications.
PE license required.
Experience in writing and providing support documentation for structural engineering calculations.
Technically knowledgeable of the practical application of structural engineering including analysis for structural supports, loads, and design integrity.
Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models for industrial plants.
Proficiency with any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, STRUDL, or ANSYS.
Familiarity with design codes and standards such as IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318.
Proficiency with MS Office applications.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
Construction and start-up experience a plus.
Commissioning experience a plus.
Technology & Innovation
Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
About Sargent & Lundy
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
Life & Accident Insurance
Disability Coverage
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Back-Up Daycare
FSA & HSA
401(k)
Pre-Tax Commuter Account
Merit Scholarship Program
Employee Discount Program
Corporate Charitable Giving Program
Tuition Assistance
First Professional Licensure Bonus
Employee Referral Bonus
Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Bereavement Leave
Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range $118,023 - $180,313
Transparency Statement Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.
About This Business Unit
The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.