Norwest Engineering, Inc.
Senior Structural Engineer – Position Description
For more than fifty years, Norwest Engineering has built its success on delivering
exceptional client service while fostering a collaborative work environment that values
teamwork and long-term partnerships. We provide a broad range of multi-discipline
professional engineering and technical services across the heavy industrial sector,
including Oil & Gas, Chemical, Manufacturing, Utilities, Ports, and Pulp & Paper. Today, we
are also expanding into renewable fuels and carbon capture projects, driving innovation
in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Structural Engineer to join our growing team. This role requires
proven experience mentoring junior engineers, leading structural engineering projects
(both single- and multi-discipline), and collaborating as part of a larger structural
engineering team on complex assignments. The ideal candidate will play a key role in
developing scopes of work, preparing budgets, and supporting new business
opportunities. Strong communication skills—both written and verbal—are essential, as
this role is highly client-facing and requires clear, professional interaction with clients,
stakeholders, and colleagues. You would join other PEs and SEs on the team with an
impressive depth and breadth of knowledge with which to collaborate.
What You’ll Work On
Our projects span the full spectrum of the heavy industrial field—from repair and
maintenance work to brownfield additions and large greenfield developments. Structural
scope often supports new or modified processes, such as piping, tanks, or equipment
installations that require overall infrastructure expansion. Typical assignments include:
• Foundations: Shallow, mat, and deep foundations for pumps, vessels, racks and
bridges, buildings, and other equipment.
• Steel Structures: Pipe racks and bridges, multi-story towers, and buildings.
• Marine Facilities: Piers, walkways, dolphins, and bulkheads.
• Buildings: Both prefabricated and stick-built, for occupied and non-occupied use.
Beyond new design, our team is increasingly engaged in structural evaluations, retrofits,
inspections, and construction support. We also support permitting efforts, feasibility
studies, and early-phase engineering for concept validation and cost estimating.
Experience in commercial building or bridge design is strongly valued.
Why This Role Matters
At Norwest, consulting engineering is as much about building relationships as it is about
delivering technical solutions. As a Senior Structural Engineer, you will frequently
represent the company in client meetings—virtually and in person—while also mentoring
junior engineers to strengthen both their technical and communication skills. This position
is ideal for an engineer who enjoys balancing technical leadership, project delivery, and
client engagement.
Location & Travel
Norwest is a fully remote firm, though many of our projects and clients are located in or
near Portland, Oregon. Being based locally is desirable, and we are open to discussing
relocation assistance and timelines for candidates interested in moving to the Pacific
Northwest.
Travel requirements are modest, typically limited to short site visits or client meetings of 2–
4 days, with longer trips rarely necessary. To ensure comfort and work-life balance, our
travel budgets provide for convenient flights and quality accommodations.
Qualifications
We are looking for candidates who bring both technical expertise and leadership
experience:
• PE license required and you must expect to quickly seek reciprocity in multiple
states. Having your SE license is desirable. Having a current NCEES record is also a
plus.
• 10+ years of structural engineering experience, ideally with experience in the
heavy industrial and renewable fuels space though not required.
• Experience with all types of foundations, steel structures, and industrial buildings.
Marine facilities or bridge design experience is a plus.
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