Preconstruction Design Engineer

The engineer will serve as a technical and design resource, working directly with architects during the earliest stages of projects to transform architectural concepts into structurally viable solutions that can be estimated, proposed, and ultimately built. If you're an early-career structural engineer who wants to move beyond traditional calculations and play a hands-on role in turning ambitious architectural concepts into real, structurally viable designs, this is an opportunity to do exactly that.

Role: Preconstruction Design Engineer
Location: Milwaukee Metro / Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Work Arrangement: Primary on-site; candidates in the greater Milwaukee area prioritized
Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 base salary
Signing Bonus: Participation in a project/sales bonus pool tied to successfully closed projects
Relocation: Limited assistance may be available for the right candidate, particularly from Northern Illinois/Chicago

At HV Talent Group
At HV Talent Group, we connect talented professionals with leading organizations and direct-hire opportunities aligned with their experience, career goals, and long-term growth. Our client, a specialized organization focused on innovative architectural and structural solutions, is seeking a Preconstruction Design Engineer to join its Milwaukee-area team.

This early-career engineering opportunity sits within the sales and preconstruction organization, but it is not a traditional sales position. The engineer will serve as a technical and design resource, working directly with architects during the earliest stages of projects to transform architectural concepts into structurally viable solutions that can be estimated, proposed, and ultimately built.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in structural engineering, the ability to understand and perform preliminary structural calculations, comfort reviewing architectural concepts, and strong communication skills. This is an opportunity to combine engineering and architecture, develop creative structural solutions, influence projects before construction begins, and gain exposure to specialty structural glass and steel systems. Prior glass-industry or sales experience is not required; the organization can teach its specialized systems and applications.

Build the Engineering Concept Behind Remarkable Architectural Structures
Are you an early-career engineer who enjoys more than running calculations? Do you want to work directly with architects, influence designs at the conceptual stage, and see structural engineering become part of visually distinctive projects?

As a Preconstruction Design Engineer, you will help turn ambitious architectural concepts into structurally viable solutions. A typical project may begin with an architect exploring a glass canopy, entrance structure, architectural façade, structural glass feature, or specialty steel-and-glass structure. You will help determine how that concept can realistically be engineered while preserving the architect's design intent.

Authority, Scope and Basic Function

• Develop a complete understanding of customer needs (including budget) in review of prequalification data as provided by Sales. 
• Develop appropriate technical solutions interfacing with the Preconstruction Manager, VP of Engineering or other engineers as necessary. 
• Prepare design, connections and member sizing for use by estimating in development of take offs and pricing. 
• Manage time efficiently to provide only the data required in schedule.
• Communicate any project specific technical concerns to supervisory or functional management.

Essential Duties and Principal Responsibilities

• Create accurate technical solution to clients needs during the promotional phase of the sale. in development of solutions, keep budgetary needs of client at the forefront, seeking assistance as needed. 
• Check structural performance of projects being bid in accordance with bid documents.
• As necessary, assist with method statements and structural implications of installation schemes as developed/required by the estimating group.
• Select appropriate systems for structure and cladding from company standards based on price and performance needs as required.
• Develop structural models using available software and building codes as required.
• Develop structural reactions at boundary conditions for coordination of our scope of work as necessary. 
• Develop cladding geometries on complex forms to assist in optimizing/pricing the skin design as required.
• Recommend and develop cladding details as appropriate for a project.
• Develop connections detailing as necessary. 
• Keep current on new software, tools and product costs that are used to perform job duties.
• Assist estimating by identifying and communicating conflicts or anomalies in the client documents.
• Communicate and resolve technical issues with clients as necessary
• Assist sales in the timely development of technical data as necessary for the assembly of formal bids. 
• Assist estimating as required in value engineering ideas for projects. 
• Run component, cladding and glass calculations as required. 
• Be cognizant of time management as it relates to providing timely and professional customer responses.
• Become familiar with and assist in company methods of estimating.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Ability to interpret blueprints, architectural intent and codes.
• A minimum of BS degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering with a Structures focus. Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to create technical data and other information as necessary to convey company solutions. 
• Creative thinker with ability to make informed decisions quickly and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Organized, fast learner and interested in detail.
• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing.
• Willingness to work accurately within deadlines. 
• Ability to work within a team setting in achieving corporate growth goals. 
• Ability to stay current with software and product developments as required for this position.

Other Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Important Role Clarification
What We're Looking For

• 0–3 years of professional experience in an entry-level or early-career engineering capacity.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline with structural coursework.
• Understanding of fundamental structural engineering principles.
• Ability to perform or understand structural calculations.
• Ability to review architectural/design concepts and develop engineering solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal teams.
• Ability to explain technical concepts and discuss design alternatives.
• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring new employer sponsorship.

Preferred Background & Technical Exposure

• Structural consulting or civil/structural engineering
• Building structures
• Structural steel design
• Architectural engineering
• Building envelope / façade engineering
• Specialty structures
• Connection/design engineering
• Reading architectural and structural drawings
• Structural and load calculations
• Revit and/or AutoCAD familiarity
• Experience collaborating with architects or multidisciplinary teams

FE / EIT
Passing the FE exam is preferred, and EIT status is viewed positively, but neither is mandatory. A strong candidate should not be screened out solely for not having passed the FE exam.

What You Don't Need

• Prior glass-industry or glass-engineering experience
• Previous employment with a specialty glass contractor
• Extensive professional experience
• FE certification
• Sales experience
• A previous preconstruction title
• Travel availability

Why This Opportunity Is Different
Influence Projects Before They're Built — Play a meaningful role during the conceptual design stage and help shape how a project can be engineered.

Work at the Intersection of Architecture & Engineering — Collaborate directly with architects and develop structural solutions that support both engineering requirements and architectural intent.

Solve Interesting Structural Problems — Gain exposure to structural glass, steel, specialty structural systems, and visually distinctive architectural projects.

Get Broad Project Exposure Early — Work with architects, contractors, sales, estimating, and engineering teams from early concept development through handoff.

Develop Specialized Expertise — Learn specialized structural systems and applications on the job without needing prior glass-industry experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $65,000–$85,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Master's-Level Flexibility: Compensation may be flexible above the standard range for an exceptional candidate with a Master's degree in Structural Engineering.
• Bonus: Participation in a project/sales bonus pool tied to successfully closed projects.
• Health Insurance: Employee-only coverage was indicated at approximately $10/month.
• 401(k): Company match equal to 50% of the employee's first 6% contribution.
• PTO: 2 weeks during the first year; 3 weeks after five years; 4 weeks after ten years.
• Paid Holidays: Included.

Work Location & Schedule
The role is based in the Milwaukee Metro / Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin area and is intended to be primarily on-site, working alongside the engineering team. The search should prioritize candidates in Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, the greater Milwaukee metro, and southeastern Wisconsin. Candidates from Northern Illinois or the Chicago area who are open to relocation may also be considered. There is no regular travel requirement.

Relocation & Work Authorization
There is no formal large relocation package; however, limited relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate, particularly someone relocating from Northern Illinois, Chicago, or another nearby market. The organization does not plan to initiate new employment sponsorship for this position. Green card holders and candidates with unrestricted work authorization who do not require new employer sponsorship are eligible.

The Opportunity in One Sentence
If you're an early-career structural engineer who wants to move beyond traditional calculations and play a hands-on role in turning ambitious architectural concepts into real, structurally viable designs, this is an opportunity to do exactly that.

How to Apply
If you have a foundation in structural engineering, enjoy solving design challenges, communicate confidently with other professionals, and want your engineering work to influence projects from the very beginning, we would like to hear from you.
 

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Disclaimer: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. The company reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

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