Entry-Level Structural Engineer - Protective Design

Company Description

At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.

With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.

Job Description

At KPFF, we provide the freedom to explore your passions. Our engineers work on a wide array of projects across the globe, fostering a challenging and supportive environment that allows you to focus on your specific areas of expertise. We combine the benefits of a large, stable firm with the flexibility to innovate and excel without unnecessary red tape.

As an Entry-Level Structural Engineer in the Protective Design Group, you will play a key role in the design and analysis of projects for federal and local government, infrastructure, and private clients. These projects focus on blast engineering, physical security design, progressive collapse prevention, and hostile vehicle mitigation. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and develop expertise in protective design engineering while contributing to meaningful, impactful projects.

• Assist in the structural analysis and design of protective measures for buildings and infrastructure.
• Perform basic structural modeling and analysis using software tools.
• Support the development of design solutions to mitigate the effects of physical threats, including blast loads and progressive collapse scenarios.
• Collaborate with senior engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants on project teams.
• Research and apply relevant codes and standards in blast engineering and physical security design.
• Contribute to project documentation, including reports and design calculations.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master of Science (MS) or Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering with a structural focus.
• Experience:
  • Up to 2 years of experience in structural or protective design engineering (internship or professional).
  • Knowledge or coursework in blast engineering, structural dynamics, or non-linear analysis preferred.
• Skills:
  • Proficiency in structural analysis software (e.g., ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA-3D).
  • Basic familiarity with BIM tools like Revit or AutoCAD.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Creative, proactive, and detail-oriented mindset.
• Attributes:
  • Eager to learn and grow within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
  • Passionate about solving complex engineering challenges.

Additional Information

Culture and Benefits
At KPFF, we offer a rewarding career path that emphasizes autonomy, innovation, and professional development. Our culture prioritizes employee ownership, teamwork, and shared values, creating an environment where contributions are celebrated, and career growth is encouraged. We aren’t just colleagues; we’re a community dedicated to collaborative innovation, providing you the platform to make a lasting impact on meaningful projects.

KPFF Employee Benefits

• Medical Plan Options: Choice of Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA, covering preventive care and prescriptions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Tax-advantaged accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Dental & Vision: Full preventive care, plus coverage for major dental services and vision allowances.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential support for personal, family, and work challenges.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Company-provided life insurance equal to one year’s salary, plus AD&D.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF contributes 3% of salary, with no match needed. 
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term coverage at 60% income, fully covered by KPFF.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, two floating holidays, and paid company holidays.
• Paid Family Leave: Six weeks at 60% pay, with options to use PTO for full income.

KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.