insights 4 career paths you can take following a structural engineer job
Structural engineers work across a range of industries, from building to manufacturing. They design and oversee the construction of buildings, bridges and other major infrastructure projects. It's a role where you'll combine your analytical thinking with a creative outlook to bring inspiring projects to life. The diversity means there are many different career paths you can take following a structural engineer job. Here are four options that might interest you:
Senior structural engineer
The most obvious next step after a structural engineer role would be a senior structural engineer. This move will enable you to continue specializing while taking on more mentoring and training duties. You'll lead a design team and inspire them to translate their technical skills into imaginative ideas.
At AtkinsRéalis , and within our brands Atkins and Faithful+Gould, we know how important progression is. Wherever you're at in your career, whether that's stepping up to a senior structural engineer position or thinking about it as a future move, we'll give you the training you need to build your confidence with us.
Though it might be an obvious career move, that's not to say there aren't other routes better suited to you.
Construction design engineer
Where a structural engineer is responsible for making sure structures will stand up to the elements and adhere to health and safety regulations, construction design engineers focus on what that looks like. You only have to look at the Empire State Building—lauded as a Wonder of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers—to appreciate the ingenuity of construction design.
However, as more projects spring up across the U.S., attention is being placed firmly on the environmental impact because the built environment currently contributes to 40% of all CO2 emissions. The challenge is for construction design engineers to imagine structures that limit this, including alternative materials to glass for skyscrapers because of the energy needed to cool these buildings.
Project management
You might be asking yourself, 'Can engineers become project managers?' and the answer is yes. In fact, the technical understanding that you acquire as a structural engineer will allow you to see the project through a new lens—one that other project managers might not see. The same applies to other built environment professionals. Take Deema, a project manager at Faithful+Gould, who studied as an architect in Saudi Arabia before pursuing her passion to lead others.
Essentially, engineering project management is a great option for anyone who is fascinated by the world of design, particularly for people who want to develop these skills:
- Scheduling
- Budgeting
- Risk management
- Stakeholder management
- Leadership
Research & lecturing
Anyone who studied engineering at the higher education level has an eagerness to learn more about the field embedded in them. So it makes sense that some people would want to continue developing their understanding and passing that knowledge on to others. While it might not sound conventional to look into research and lecturing positions following a structural engineering job, it is a viable career path.
Do you want to build a better future?
If you're starting to think about that next step, we could have the right opportunity for you. Our purpose is to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. To do that, we need talented minds to harness the power of technologies and data.
A career with us is an opportunity to work with major clients on stimulating and high-profile projects. Not only that, but you'll also get to work alongside a first-class team, with structural engineers such as James.
View all structural engineering vacancies, or explore our other jobs in the USA and see what careers we can offer you.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/25/2024
Summary
I'm Mei, a chartered engineer with extensive experience in water and wastewater engineering projects in the UK and internationally. I’m the Water Sector Lead and Project Director in AtkinsRéal
by
Shailaja Mantha
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/11/2024
Summary
Hello. I'm Karen, a Senior Programme Manager in Project & Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in North London, my journey has been one of resilience
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/10/2024
Summary
From engineering internships to leadership roles: My journey at AtkinsRéalis Discovering leadership through my civil engineering internships Allô, my name is Karolane. I work at AtkinsRéalis
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/08/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that sustainability is more than just a goal - it shapes everything we do. For over a decade, our team members, like the one you'll meet today, have b
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/02/2024
Summary
In the rapidly evolving world of energy, having the right foundation in nuclear and net zero energy is crucial. AtkinsRéalis stands at the forefront of this sector, offering abundant opportuniti
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/01/2024
Summary
We interviewed Turki Ghesheyan on his experience with the AtkinsRéalis Saudi Graduate Program. Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Turki, I am an Architectural Engineer who graduated from
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we have a team of local, regional, and international experts in the UAE who are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in the market to meet the needs of our clients. The UAE i
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Sherif, and I work at AtkinsRéalis in London. As a principal fire engineer, I'm proud to "engineer a better future" every day here, specifically as our work relates to shaping
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK since the 1990s. Technically complex and the country’s largest infrastructure project – our talented people from
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hi! I'm Alina, an associate director specialized in transport infrastructure engineering. I lead the North-West Estimating team in Project & Programme Services here in Manchester. Over the past
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/27/2024
Summary
Across the evolving landscape of the Middle East, Architects play a large part in designing and planning complex building structures that are in line with groundbreaking innovation. The constructio
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/24/2024
Summary
In the fast-paced world of consultancy, architecture, and project management, the need for forward-thinking leadership and innovative strategies has never been more critical. At AtkinsRéalis, we
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-120558
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-118957
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us? AtkinsRéalis Bridges and Civil Structures Division is seeking a Technical Manager to lead an established group delivering structural engineering designs for a wide range of clients in Nor
Reference
R-116249
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Orlando
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Ft. Lauderdale
Miami
Orlando
Description
Why join us? We are hiring! AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior Structural Bridge Engineer to join our Orlando, FL office.The successful candidate for this role can expect to work on the following types
Reference
R-115321
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Orlando
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Ft. Lauderdale
Miami
Orlando
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of mak
Reference
R-112906
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Oklahoma City
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Oklahoma City
Description
Why join us?It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of making
Reference
R-110138
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Raleigh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Raleigh
Description
Senior Bridge EngineerWhy join us?We are hiring! AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Senior Bridge Engineer to work on a variety of transportation related structural engineering projects across the US from
Reference
R-107757
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Henderson
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Henderson
Reno
Lynnwood
Description
Why join us?It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of making
Reference
R-107531
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tampa
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Tampa
Description
Why join us? We are hiring! The Structural Engineer is an integral part of our Structures Team. This is an entry-level position and is based out of Tampa or Jacksonville, Florida. About Us AtkinsRéa
Reference
R-107257
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Jacksonville
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Structural engineering
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Jacksonville
Tallahassee
Tampa
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-100736
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more