Entry-Level Structural Engineer - Hydraulic Structures
WSP
Sacramento, CA · Posted November 2, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
More in California job market · Manufacturing & Industrial · Engineering jobs
More roles at WSP
- Senior Administrative Project Coordinator · Portland, ME
- Consultant - Fire and Life Safety Engineering · Saint Louis, MO
- Data Center Electrical Engineer, Senior Consultant · Houston, TX
- Web Developer · Meridian, ID
- Early Professional, Project Financial Advisor
- Assistant Vice President, Geotechnical Engineer · Louisville, KY
Similar jobs
- Managing Geotechnical Engineer (Ph.D. or M.S.) · Exponent · Oakland, CA
- Senior Architect/Architectural Engineer (M.S./Ph.D.) · Exponent · Menlo Park, CA
- Senior Risk Engineer, Construction · Chubb · Los Angeles, CA
- Senior Civil Engineer · Worley Group · Monrovia, CA
- Structural Engineer · Vulcan Materials · Irwindale, CA
- Staff MRB Stress Engineer · Joby Aviation · Marina, CA
Where Sacramento, CA ranks
Where Sacramento, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #3Best all-round cities for new graduates68 / 100 · of 100
- #6Best all-round cities for new graduates in the West Coast61 / 100 · of 39
- #7Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast124 jobs · of 47
- #10Best all-round cities for remote workers in the West Coast66 / 100 · of 39
- #11Best cities for junior jobs in California32% · of 54
- #11Cities hosting the most business conferences in the West Coast5 conferences · of 17
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 civil engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for civil engineers: 1% (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.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
This Opportunity
We are seeking an Entry-Level Structural Engineer to join our Hydraulic Structures Group. In this role, you will support multidisciplinary teams in the planning, analysis, design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of dams, spillways, outlet works, hydropower facilities, canals, flood-control structures, and related civil works. This position provides an outstanding opportunity to develop technical expertise supporting critical water infrastructure and public safety.
Key Responsibilities
Structural Analysis & Design
Perform structural analyses for reinforced concrete, steel, and masonry hydraulic structures.
Support design calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical memoranda.
Assist in evaluating hydrostatic, seismic, hydrodynamic, thermal, and soil-structure interaction loading.
Technical Support for Project Delivery
Assist with reports, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, engineering evaluations, cost estimates, risk assessments, and design documentation.
Field Investigations
Participate in inspections of dams, spillways, outlet works, canals, and related hydraulic structures.
Support field data collection and construction observation activities.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Work with geotechnical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and CAD/BIM professionals.
Quality and Standards Compliance
Support compliance with ACI, AISC, ASCE 7, USACE, USBR, and dam safety requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
Strong knowledge of structural mechanics, reinforced concrete, and steel design.
Proficiency with engineering analysis tools and Microsoft Office.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively.
EIT certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or related field.
Internship or coursework related to dams, hydraulic structures, or water infrastructure.
Familiarity with finite element modeling and nonlinear structural behavior.
Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, or Civil 3D.
Exposure to hydrology and hydraulics concepts.
Professional Growth Opportunities
Mentorship from senior engineers, training in advanced analysis methods, opportunities to support dam safety evaluations and major water infrastructure projects, and support for PE licensure and ongoing professional development.
Work Environment
Occasional travel for field investigations, construction support, site inspections, and project meetings may be required. Field work may include outdoor environments, confined spaces, and work near water bodies and heavy equipment while following all safety requirements.
WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a 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): $68,200 - $85,300
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.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.