Structural Engineer
A Day in the life of a Structural Engineer
Structural engineers (SEs) deal with the frameworks and skeletons of buildings, bridges,
towers, stadiums, tunnels, roller coasters, and monuments—in short, virtually every aspect of
the world’s built environment. SEs work with other engineers—mechanical, geotechnical,
electrical, and civil—as well as urban planners and architects on projects as varied as the
Louisiana Superdome, Channel Tunnel,Hoover Dam, and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The primary
duty of a structural engineer is to ensure public safety and to serve the client’s interests
while abiding by the appropriate standards and legal codes. SEs design the components of a
structure that hold its contents—“contents” being
people, vehicles, and property. In buildings, SEs
design roof framing (beams, rafters, joists, trusses),
floor framing (floor decks, joists, beams, trusses, girders), arches, columns, braces, frames,
foundations, and walls. For bridges, they design the deck surface, girders or stringers, and
piers. They work with a broad range of materials, including steel, concrete, wood, masonry,
and aluminum.
SEs must design structures to resist forces from gravity, earthquakes, high winds, water,
collisions, and explosions. They develop their designs by performing a complex series of calculations
and by utilizing computer programs. They then draw their results on a set of plans,
and those drawings are used by contractors to price and build the structures in question. The
job is challenging but also highly rewarding; one SE notes, “One of the greatest joys is seeing
a project under construction and then walking into or driving on the finished product.”
Within the field of structural engineering, there are many specialties. SEs may opt to specialize
in working with certain types of buildings or bridges, or even certain types that are made
of a particular material. One may specialize in long-span bridges or even amusement park
roller coasters, for example. Established SEs advise that it is a good idea for engineers to
become involved in the design and analysis of as many different structure types as possible
early in their careers. That way, young SEs may have a broad range of options open to them
later on.
Paying Your Dues
SEs typically hold a college degree in structural engineering, civil engineering with an
emphasis on structures, or architectural engineering. Many even hold a master’s degree, and
some have PhDs. Course work typically includes physics, mechanics, blueprint reading,
architecture, mathematics, and materials science. A structural engineer must be familiar with
all components and methods of construction. Many states require that structural engineers
have at least two years of experience in the construction industry and pass a written test that
assesses their analytical skills and their knowledge of stress levels as well as local and federal
construction codes. Usually, just prior to or shortly after completing their bachelor’s degrees,
engineering majors take an exam that, once passed, affords the test taker the designation of
engineer-in-training. Early in their careers, SEs are mentored by senior staff. They then seek
to obtain professional licensure; this usually occurs four years after college graduation.
Associated Careers
Many structural engineers have a construction background, and they may opt to return
to this field and become construction managers, materials purchasers, architectural assistants,
and consultants to worksites. SEs possess analytical abilities that make them well-suited
to many professions, though.