Position Title: Civil/Structural Preconstruction EngineerLocation: 12301 Kurland Drive, Houston, TX 77034Primary Function:We are looking for an experienced Civil/Structural engineer to join our Preconstruction group, supporting the civil and structural scope on high voltage substation EPC projects. This is a technical and cross-functional role - sitting at the intersection of structural engineering, estimating, and procurement - where your work directly drives the accuracy and competitiveness of our bids.
Duties & Responsibilities:Employee may be called upon to perform any or all of the following functions:
- Material takeoffs and cost estimates for substation EPC projects, from conceptual/FEL through firm price proposals.
- Develop concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, earthwork, grading, drainage, and civil infrastructure quantities from RFP/IFP, 30%, 60%, and/or IFC drawing sets.
- Prepare estimate basis documentation and assumption logs that clearly communicate scope inclusions, exclusions, and areas of risk or uncertainty.
- Perform value engineering analysis and identify cost-saving alternatives without compromising design intent or code compliance.
- Review geotechnical investigation reports and apply findings to foundation system design assumptions, bearing capacity, and soil parameters.
- Develop or review structure designs for substation equipment including seismic and wind loading per applicable codes (ACI, AISC, IEEE, ASCE 7).
- Create detailed scopes of work, engineering notes, and technical specifications that the procurement team can solicit and price from subcontractors and material vendors.
- Develop RFQ packages for civil/structural subcontract scopes including earthwork, concrete, structural steel, pile driving, and site utilities.
- Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure lead times, material specs, and vendor qualifications align with project schedule and quality requirements.
- Review client-furnished electrical plans and coordinate civil/structural implications including equipment pad locations, conduit routing, grounding grid assumptions, and drainage considerations.
- Participate in constructibility reviews and identify site conditions, access constraints, or sequencing risks that affect civil/structural cost or schedule.
- Mentor junior civil/structural engineers; develop team capability in quantity takeoff methods, structural calculation standards, and estimating best practices.
- Assist with change order preparation and scope adjustment documentation during project execution as needed.
- Conduct or support site investigations and walkdowns to gather field data and validate estimate assumptions.
- Lead or participate in internal proposal reviews; present civil/structural scope clearly to estimating leads, project managers, and executive stakeholders.
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications / ExperienceBachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Construction Management from an ABET-accredited program preferred; significant field or EPC experience considered in lieu of degree.
- 4-7 years of experience in civil/structural design, estimating, or a combined role on substation, transmission, or heavy power infrastructure EPC projects.
- Demonstrated experience with structural analysis and design for substation applications: equipment foundations, bus support structures, control building structures, retaining walls, and oil containment.
- Experience developing civil/structural estimates and quantity takeoffs for high voltage substation projects (4kV-765kV).
- P.E. license preferred; candidates actively pursuing licensure will be considered.
- Strong working knowledge of applicable design codes: ACI 318, AISC 360, ASCE 7, IEEE 693, and relevant utility owner standards.
- Proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as RISA, L-Pile, or equivalent.
- Proficient with digital takeoff tools such as Bluebeam Revu or Adobe Acroba.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 ( Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Familiarity with utility owner design standards (CNP, ONCOR, AEP, Entergy, etc.).
- Exposure to industrial plants, BESS, solar, combined cycle generation and/or transmission line civil scope.
- Communicating effectively with co-workers, vendors, clients, etc.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
Physical Requirements:- This position requires minimal physical effort.
- Must be able to endure prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer for a minimum of 8 hours a day
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work indoors, with occasional outdoor exposure to year around weather conditions and noise.
- Must be able and willing to travel overnight for trainings and/or meetings as required (10%)
- Working extended hours, including weekends, may be required periodically.
- May occasionally lift up to 25 pounds at a time.
