Job Title: Civil Engineer 2 - Structural (Contract)Job Description
This contract role supports the Structural and Civil Engineering Design Group in Transmission Engineering, providing structural analysis and design for transmission line structures, substations, telecommunication towers, and buildings across a regional power transmission system. The position focuses on capital improvements, maintenance, repairs, and system upgrades, with work spanning structural design, seismic evaluation, retrofit projects, and support for technology innovation and research initiatives. You will collaborate closely with federal structural engineers and technical leads while managing a high level of independent, deadline-driven work in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Responsibilities
Perform structural design and analysis of substation structures and foundations, including towers, poles, frames, trusses, pedestals, racks, and similar systems using steel, concrete, and occasionally wood or aluminum.
Analyze existing substation structures for structural adequacy under new or increased loading and changed design criteria, and provide results to team leads to support decisions on reuse, modification, or replacement.
Design new substation structures and prepare installation drawings, design criteria drawings, and minor structural detailing to support construction and maintenance activities.
Perform structural design and analysis of transmission line structures and footings, including lattice steel or aluminum towers, single and multiple steel pole structures, single and multiple wood pole structures, concrete structures, and other support @types.
Evaluate existing transmission line structures for structural adequacy under revised loading conditions or updated design criteria, and recommend whether to retain, modify, or replace existing structures.
Produce a variety of engineering drawings for transmission line projects, including installation drawings, design criteria drawings, and minor detailing drawings.
Design and review fall protection systems for new and existing transmission and substation structures to support safe access and maintenance operations.
Conduct structural analysis and design for telecommunication structures, including lattice steel towers, poles, mounting hardware, and waveguide/ice bridges, supporting an extensive communication network.
Assess existing telecommunication structures for structural adequacy under new loading or updated design criteria and provide findings to inform decisions on reuse, modification, or replacement.
Develop and document structural design criteria for use by external vendors in the design of new communication structures, ensuring consistency with organizational standards.
Design and review fall protection systems for new and existing telecommunication structures to enhance safety and compliance.
Perform building design and analysis for a variety of facilities, including single- and multi-story structures constructed from wood, structural steel, masonry, brick, concrete, and other materials.
Analyze existing buildings for modifications and retrofits, preparing structural calculations and written reports to document findings and recommendations.
Conduct structural and seismic evaluations of existing buildings, including calculations and written reports, to assess performance and identify required improvements.
Design strengthening solutions for existing building vertical and lateral load-resisting systems to improve structural and seismic performance.
Design anchorage systems for equipment and nonstructural components in buildings to ensure stability and code compliance.
Produce engineering drawings for building projects, including installation drawings, design criteria drawings, and minor detailing drawings.
Design fall protection anchorage systems for new and existing buildings to support safe access and maintenance activities.
Support structure maintenance and program sustainment activities, including non-climbing structural inspections and structural adequacy assessments.
Develop structural retrofit designs for seismic strengthening, remodels, additions, and additional roof loading such as HVAC units and other equipment.
Design replacement, refurbishment, and repair solutions for aging infrastructure, particularly where steel corrosion and concrete deterioration are present.
Design replacements, refurbishments, and repairs for transmission line and substation structures that have experienced unexpected damage, including vehicle impacts, animal impacts, landslides, and snow loading.
Assist with material procurement activities related to structural repairs and replacements, including providing technical input on materials and components.
Conduct occasional Quality Assurance visits to in-house and external fabrication shops and provide technical recommendations for approval or rejection to senior engineers or technical team leads.
Support federal structural engineers in technology innovation and research and development activities, including participating in research, testing, and collaboration with testing personnel and vendors.
Prepare technical reports, contribute to report writing and development, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders as needed.
Participate in meetings, travel to project sites and industry events, and work with industry representatives to support innovation and continuous improvement.
Assist in drafting justifications for funding of structural engineering and research projects, providing technical rationale and supporting documentation.
Create, organize, and maintain documents and filing systems, including files, emails, and records, in alignment with compliance requirements and organizational standards.
Share and distribute documents only to appropriate personnel with a defined need to know, ensuring proper control and confidentiality.
Maintain official records in accordance with Information Security and Information Governance & Lifecycle Management standards and procedures.
Validate that official records are accurately maintained and readily auditable, supporting internal and external compliance reviews.
Use Microsoft Office tools to prepare calculations, reports, presentations, and correspondence to support engineering and administrative activities.
Manage time and work assignments effectively, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines in a deadline-driven environment while working with limited supervision.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field.
At least 5 years of practical structural engineering experience.
Professional knowledge of civil and structural engineering concepts and principles, including planning, design, and maintenance practices applicable to public electric utilities, power plants, and transmission systems.
Experience applying engineering knowledge to structural projects that may be limited in scope or that support more complex, large-scale projects.
Experience with structural designs using the current International Building Code (IBC).
Experience with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7 standards for minimum design loads and associated criteria.
Experience using structural analysis software such as SAP2000.
Experience using structural analysis software such as RISA.
Familiarity with modern structural analysis techniques and methodologies.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word for documentation and reporting.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for calculations, data analysis, and tracking.
Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint for preparing technical presentations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook for professional communication and coordination.
Ability to identify complex problems, review related information, and develop and evaluate multiple options to implement effective solutions.
Strong critical thinking skills, including the use of logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions and approaches.
Effective time-management skills, including the ability to perform tasks efficiently and manage multiple work assignments to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining accountability for deliverables.
Strong written communication skills for preparing technical reports, calculations, and documentation.
Strong verbal communication skills for collaborating with team members, vendors, and stakeholders.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with Bentley MicroStation or similar computer-aided design (CAD) programs.
Experience with Power Line Systems software suite for transmission line design and analysis.
Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to components and facilities found on a regional transmission system.
Knowledge of ASCE 41 standards for seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings.
Experience performing seismic evaluations and retrofit design for existing structures.
Experience supporting technology innovation and research and development projects in a structural engineering @context.
Experience conducting or supporting structural inspections and quality assurance activities at fabrication shops.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment while also self-starting and self-managing workload.
Flexibility and adaptability to work on a wide variety of structures, materials, and project @types across transmission, substation, telecommunication, and building assets.
Work Environment
The Structural and Civil Engineering team operates in a slower-paced office environment that balances high technical expectations with a supportive, collaborative culture. Team members are self-motivated and work hard to deliver high-quality results, while leadership encourages a healthy work-life balance by expecting focused effort during work hours and allowing employees to disconnect when off the clock. The atmosphere is often jovial and light-hearted, with a collaborative spirit that can make the office lively and occasionally noisy, though there are also periods dedicated to quiet, independent work. The team values a mix of personality @types and recognizes individual strengths, fostering an inclusive environment where flexibility, teamwork, and self-management are important. Work hours are somewhat flexible depending on departmental needs, with options such as a 7:00 a.m. start instead of 8:00 a.m. in some cases. The role involves a high degree of independent work with limited direct supervision and is strongly deadline-driven, often requiring coordination with others and waiting on approvals, signatures, and paperwork. Business casual attire is standard in the office. The position relies on modern engineering tools and technologies, including structural analysis software such as SAP2000 and RISA, Microsoft Office applications for documentation and communication, and potentially CAD tools such as Bentley MicroStation and Power Line Systems software. Occasional travel may be required for field visits, quality assurance inspections, meetings, and industry engagements, supporting both project delivery and research-related activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $53.00/hr.
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)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 1, 2026.
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