Five Larger Top Structural Engineering Companies to Work For

As we mentioned in a recent post, our members have been asking what the best engineering consulting firms to work for are, so this post covers some of the larger top structural engineering companies to work for. We should mention that our analysis of the top structural engineering companies to work for focused mostly on the larger firms, for two reasons. Firstly, information on these companies and their compensation packages is more readily available, and secondly, many of our members requested information on the larger international firms. We do want to make it clear, though, that there are probably a lot of great small structural engineering companies out there; we just focused on the larger firms based on specific requests and available information. We did not take applications for these rankings; they are simply based off our discussions with structural engineers and information we found on these companies.

Structural engineers are tasked with creating viable and safe structures like roadways, bridges, buildings, dams and waterways, and other industrial and commercial facilities. This means structural engineers help in drawing up designs from scratch and collaborating with other designers to guarantee that the designs are sustainable. These professionals must be adept in all aspects of the construction project as well, so as to be able to come up with solutions should issues with the design and implementation crop up at any stage of the project. With such crucial roles, structural engineers are some of the most sought-after professionals in the design, engineering, and construction management sectors.

To date, there are practically thousands of these firms operating in the United States. However, not all can offer the same professional prestige and opportunities for career growth. This is why it is prudent to be selective when choosing the firm to work for. This list provides a detailed rundown of five of the larger top structural engineering companies to work for to help you navigate the job market.

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Five Larger Top Structural Engineering Companies to Work For

1. The Boeing Company

The largest and longest-existing American military and commercial jetliner manufacturer, the Boeing Company, continually requires facilities and products with structural integrity, something in which structural engineers are experts. As the Boeing Company is constantly acknowledged as one of the best employers in the United States, it comes as no surprise that many professionals from the engineering and other fields aspire to land a job with them. The company is known for having a dynamic and streamlined workplace, and structural engineers who are lucky enough to land a job there have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most brilliant and talented designers. And being offered some of the most attractive compensation packages is surely an added plus as well.

2. URS Corporation

A leading design, engineering, and construction management firm that is in constant need of structural engineers is the URS Corporation. With offices in the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, the company is sought after by industrial and commercial clients from around the world to provide top-notch design and construction requirements regardless of project size. One of the firm’s other areas of expertise is handling hazardous waste and disposal, which is why governments of various countries intermittently commission the URS Corporation as well. With such wide-ranging project scope at the company, structural engineers who are fortunate enough to work for the URS Corporation have the chance to further their skills as well as obtain opportunities for professional growth.

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3. Jacobs Engineering Group

Another leading design, construction, consulting, and project management firm that operates in various locations around the world is Jacobs Engineering Group. Constantly voted as one of the most trustworthy American companies, the firm is hailed for its highly streamlined and dynamic workplace practices. These qualities make the company one of the most sought-after employers out there. It also offers equitable employee benefits and some of the most handsome remuneration packages, which is why the company scores high in terms of employee retention. And because its operations are scattered all over different countries, opportunities for career growth and travel are a certainty as well.

4. HDR, Inc.

Another long-established design and construction and project consulting and management company is HDR, Inc. Much like Jacobs Engineering Group, HDR, Inc. operates internationally, with offices located in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas, and the Middle East. With the company’s wide-ranging experience in construction of roadways, bridges, buildings, waterways, and dams, structural engineers who work there will surely get to apply themselves and be constantly challenged professionally. The company is known for being granted high-profile industrial, commercial, and government contracts as well, so the company has no deficit when it comes to projects. Structural engineers who land a job with the firm will surely thrive in a professional and dynamic work environment that offers competitive compensation and benefits packages.

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5. Burns & McDonnell

Hailed as one of America’s best engineering companies, Burns & McDonnell delivers top-notch design and construction and project consulting and management services. Serving industrial, commercial, and government clients, the company’s expertise is highly sought-after by the aviation, utilities, defence, and environmental markets. And only recently, Burns & McDonnell has started to provide architectural services specifically geared towards the healthcare industry. Such diversified projects are a great plus, as they allow for continued professional growth, something which structural engineers who are looking to excel in the field surely desire to pursue. Burns & McDonnell is wholly owned by its employees, making working for the firm an even more attractive prospect. Lastly, the company provides equitable employee benefits and competitive compensation packages, which is why it comes as no surprise that the company’s employee attrition rate is so low.

For those of you structural engineers looking to work for a large company, those listed in this post are some of the best out there. Between their salary and benefit packages and the opportunities that they provide to work on large-scale award-winning projects, you can see and do amazing things at these companies.

I hope this post is helpful to our structural engineering readers, and we look forward to continuing to help our readers and our IECD members to create extraordinary engineering careers.

To date, we have written the following posts in the series:

• Top Mechanical Engineering Companies to Work For
• The Best Engineering Consulting Firms to Work For
• The Five Larger Best Civil Engineering Firms to Work For
• Top Electrical Engineering Companies To Work For

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on best engineering consulting firms to work for.

Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.

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To your success,

Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

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