Structural Engineering Project Manager

Structural Engineering Project Manager – PE/SE

Company: SML – Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers
Legal Name: Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Work Setting: Primarily office-based with approximately 10%–15% local fieldwork
Employment Type: Full-Time
Base Salary: $85,000–$120,000 annually, based on experience, licensure, and technical capabilities
Represented By: Luxus Group | AEC Talent Partners

Position Overview

SML – Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers is seeking a licensed Structural Engineering Project Manager to lead the design and delivery of commercial, industrial, residential, renovation, and structural retrofit projects.

This position is well suited for a technically accomplished structural engineer who is ready to combine hands-on engineering with project management, Engineer of Record responsibilities, client leadership, and mentorship. The successful candidate will prepare and review structural calculations, coordinate project documentation, guide junior engineers, and seal structural calculations and construction documents.

Projects involve a range of structural systems and materials, including reinforced concrete, masonry, structural steel, cold-formed steel, wood, and aluminum. The role also supports construction administration, special inspections, existing-condition assessments, renovations, and repair or retrofit assignments.

Why Join SML?

SML is a Phoenix-based structural and forensic engineering firm that has served the Southwest for nearly 40 years and performed engineering work throughout the United States for approximately two decades.

The firm provides structural design and consulting services across commercial, industrial, and residential markets, including:

• New building design

• Renovations, additions, and tenant improvements

• Structural retrofits and restoration

• Existing-building evaluations

• Forensic and structural-failure investigations

• Special inspections and construction testing

• Solar-support system engineering

• Swimming-pool and aquatic-structure engineering

• Architectural metals, curtain wall, storefront, and structural-glass design

SML offers the opportunity to work within a close-knit team where experienced engineers have meaningful influence over projects, technical standards, client relationships, and the development of junior professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Structural Design and Engineering

• Lead the structural analysis and design of commercial, industrial, residential, renovation, and retrofit projects.

• Develop structural systems using reinforced concrete, structural steel, masonry, cold-formed steel, wood, aluminum, and other materials.

• Prepare and review structural calculations, construction drawings, details, specifications, and supporting documentation.

• Evaluate structural load paths, member capacities, connections, foundations, lateral systems, and serviceability requirements.

• Apply applicable building codes, material standards, jurisdictional requirements, and sound engineering judgment.

• Develop practical, safe, constructible, and cost-conscious structural solutions.

• Review existing-building conditions and develop modifications or strengthening solutions when required.

Engineer of Record Responsibilities

• Serve as Engineer of Record on assigned projects.

• Review, approve, sign, and seal structural calculations, drawings, and other engineering documents.

• Take professional responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, code compliance, and technical quality of sealed deliverables.

• Review work prepared by junior engineers, designers, and technical staff before issuance.

• Ensure engineering assumptions, calculations, details, and specifications are internally consistent and appropriately documented.

• Identify project risks and resolve technical issues before they affect schedule, budget, permitting, or construction.

Project Management

• Manage projects from initial scope development through design, permitting, construction administration, and closeout.

• Establish project scope, schedule, budget, staffing requirements, milestones, and deliverables.

• Coordinate multiple concurrent assignments while maintaining quality and meeting client commitments.

• Monitor project progress, labor utilization, financial performance, and changes in scope.

• Communicate project status, technical concerns, schedule changes, and information needs to clients and internal team members.

• Facilitate coordination among architects, contractors, owners, consultants, vendors, and jurisdictional authorities.

• Present progress updates and incorporate appropriate stakeholder feedback into project decisions.

• Maintain complete project records and documentation.

Construction Administration

• Respond to requests for information, plan-check comments, contractor questions, and design clarifications.

• Review shop drawings, product data, calculations, and construction submittals for general conformance with the structural contract documents.

• Evaluate substitutions, field changes, unforeseen conditions, and contractor-proposed modifications.

• Conduct site observations to assess general compliance with the structural design intent.

• Prepare field reports, supplemental instructions, sketches, and repair details when necessary.

• Collaborate with contractors and project stakeholders to resolve construction-phase issues efficiently.

Special Inspections and Field Evaluations

• Perform or support special structural inspections involving concrete, masonry, structural steel, drilled piers, post-installed anchors, and other code-required conditions.

• Conduct existing-condition assessments and document field measurements, photographs, observations, and structural concerns.

• Communicate nonconforming work or significant field conditions to the appropriate stakeholders.

• Develop recommendations or corrective details based on observed conditions.

• Travel to project sites throughout Greater Phoenix and other parts of Arizona as needed.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, EITs, designers, and drafting professionals.

• Review calculations and drawings while providing clear, constructive feedback.

• Help junior team members strengthen their knowledge of structural analysis, codes, documentation, and constructability.

• Delegate assignments based on project requirements and team capabilities.

• Support a collaborative culture centered on accountability, communication, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Assist other project managers and engineers when specialized technical support is needed.

Client Development and Service

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor and primary client contact on assigned projects.

• Maintain consistent communication regarding schedules, deliverables, decisions, and project status.

• Build long-term relationships through responsive service and dependable engineering work.

• Identify opportunities to expand services with existing clients and develop new client relationships.

• Represent SML professionally in meetings, site visits, and communications with external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Active Professional Engineer license.

• Active Arizona PE license, an active NCEES record supporting comity licensure, or the ability to obtain Arizona licensure within six months of employment.

• Approximately 4–20 years of structural engineering experience.

• Previous experience serving as Engineer of Record or signing and sealing structural calculations and construction documents.

• Demonstrated experience designing structures using multiple building materials, such as concrete, masonry, steel, cold-formed steel, and wood.

• Working knowledge of applicable building codes and structural design standards.

• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, schedules, and client expectations.

• Experience providing technical direction or mentorship to junior engineers.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Civil or Structural Engineering.

• Active Structural Engineer license.

• Active Arizona SE license or the ability to obtain one.

• Active NCEES Council Record.

• Experience with commercial, industrial, residential, renovation, and retrofit projects.

• Experience with structural evaluations, special inspections, or forensic engineering assignments.

• Familiarity with construction administration, permitting, and plan-review processes.

• Experience developing scope, fees, schedules, and staffing plans.

• Established relationships within the Arizona architecture, engineering, construction, development, or property-management community.

Technical Skills

Candidates should possess experience with several of the following:

• AutoCAD

• ENERCALC

• RAM Structural System

• RAM Elements

• RISA-3D

• Mathcad

• Microsoft Excel

• Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Calendar

• Structural calculation packages

• Construction-document preparation

• Building Information Modeling or Revit experience is beneficial

Relevant code and design knowledge may include:

• International Building Code

• ASCE 7

• ACI 318

• AISC 360

• AISC 341

• TMS 402/602

• AWC National Design Specification

• Cold-formed steel design standards

• Existing-building and renovation requirements

Attributes for Success

The ideal candidate will be:

• Technically confident and comfortable accepting Engineer of Record responsibility.

• Detail-oriented and committed to producing accurate, code-compliant work.

• Capable of working independently with limited supervision.

• Organized and able to balance design responsibilities with project schedules and budgets.

• A reliable communicator who keeps clients and internal stakeholders appropriately informed.

• Comfortable making decisions, resolving obstacles, and moving projects forward.

• An effective mentor who enjoys developing junior engineers.

• Service-oriented and invested in building long-term client relationships.

• Accountable for project quality, financial performance, and client satisfaction.

• Interested in contributing ideas that improve SML’s standards, processes, and project delivery.

Fieldwork and Physical Requirements

Approximately 10%–15% of working time may be spent performing inspections, observations, measurements, and condition assessments throughout Greater Phoenix. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals.

The position may occasionally require the ability to:

• Stand or walk for extended periods.

• Lift or move equipment and objects weighing up to approximately 40 pounds.

• Ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, and first- or second-story roofs.

• Balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach while observing structural conditions.

• Enter attics, roof areas, construction sites, and other restricted-access locations when safe and appropriate.

• Drive between project locations for extended periods.

Compensation and Benefits

SML offers a base salary of $85,000–$120,000, depending on experience, Arizona licensure, SE credentials, Engineer of Record experience, project-management capabilities, and technical qualifications.

The benefits package includes:

• Employer-paid healthcare options

• Available HSA-based healthcare plans

• Safe Harbor 401(k) contribution equal to 3% of salary, with no employee contribution required

• Employer-paid term life insurance

• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Optional dental and vision coverage

• 15 days of combined PTO/sick leave

• 20 days of PTO/sick leave after five years

• 25 days of PTO/sick leave after ten years

• 8.5 paid holidays

• Weekly direct-deposit payroll

• Company-supported professional licensing

• Paid continuing-education courses and professional memberships

• Coverage of eligible FE, PE, and SE exam fees, references, and testing expenses

• Internal and external professional training

• Career-development and advancement opportunities

About SML

Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc., doing business as SML – Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers, is a privately held engineering firm headquartered in Phoenix.

SML provides structural design, evaluation, forensic investigation, restoration engineering, special inspection, and specialized consulting services across residential, commercial, and industrial markets. The firm’s portfolio also includes educational, healthcare, hospitality, retail, office, public works, entertainment, and science and technology facilities.

SML’s continued growth is supported by its commitment to technical quality, responsive service, practical engineering solutions, and long-term client relationships.

About Luxus Group

Luxus Group is a specialized recruiting and talent-consulting firm serving the architecture, engineering, construction, and related technical industries. Luxus provides candidates with confidential representation, opportunity evaluation, interview preparation, compensation guidance, and support throughout the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

SML is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on any status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Recruiting Keywords

Job Titles: Structural Engineering Project Manager, Structural Project Manager, Senior Structural Engineer, Project Structural Engineer, Structural Design Engineer, Lead Structural Engineer, Structural Engineer PE, Engineer of Record, EOR

Credentials: PE, P.E., Professional Engineer, SE, S.E., Structural Engineer, Arizona PE, Arizona SE, NCEES Record, NCEES Council Record, Comity Licensure

Technical Keywords: Structural Design, Structural Analysis, Structural Calculations, Construction Documents, Signed and Sealed Drawings, Stamping Drawings, Engineer of Record, Reinforced Concrete, Structural Steel, Masonry, Wood Framing, Cold-Formed Steel, CFS, Aluminum, Foundations, Lateral Systems, Seismic Design, Wind Design, Existing Buildings, Renovations, Retrofits, Special Inspections, Construction Administration, RFI, Shop Drawings, Submittals, Plan-Check Comments, AutoCAD, ENERCALC, RAM, RISA-3D, Mathcad, Revit, IBC, ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC 360, TMS 402, NDS

Market Keywords: Commercial Structures, Industrial Structures, Residential Structures, Building Engineering, Structural Consulting, Architecture and Engineering, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Arizona