About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, a specialized architectural and structural engineering firm.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

This entry-level Preconstruction Design Engineer role sits at the intersection of architecture and structural engineering. You will work with architects and the preconstruction/sales team to develop preliminary structural concepts that preserve design intent and are technically viable to estimate and build.

• Review architectural concepts, sketches, drawings, and early-stage Revit models.
• Develop preliminary structural design solutions and engineering alternatives for architects.
• Work with structural glass and specialty steel systems during conceptual design.
• Perform preliminary structural calculations and evaluate applicable loads, including snow-load analysis when required.
• Evaluate connection requirements and determine how systems can connect to existing construction.
• Coordinate load requirements with architects, contractors, and other engineering parties.
• Collaborate directly with architects throughout design development and revise concepts based on project feedback.
• Support estimating and sales with technically viable designs that can become part of project proposals.
• Transition preliminary engineering/design packages to the execution engineering team after project sale.

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Who We’re Looking For

This position is suitable for an early-career structural engineer who wants hands‑on preconstruction experience.

• 0–3 years of professional engineering experience (entry-level / early-career).
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related discipline with structural coursework.
• Understanding of fundamental structural engineering principles and ability to perform or interpret structural calculations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal teams.
• Ability to explain technical concepts and discuss design alternatives clearly.
• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring new employer sponsorship.

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Preferred Background & Technical Exposure

Candidates with any of the following will be competitive, though none are strictly required:

• Structural consulting or civil/structural engineering exposure
• Building structures and structural steel design
• Building envelope / façade engineering and specialty structures
• Connection/design engineering and reading architectural/structural drawings
• Revit and/or AutoCAD familiarity
• Experience collaborating with architects or multidisciplinary teams

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FE / EIT

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

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What You Don’t Need

• Prior glass‑industry or glass‑engineering experience
• Extensive professional experience or prior preconstruction title
• FE certification, prior sales experience, or travel availability

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Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $65,000–$85,000 (depending on experience and qualifications).
• Bonus: Participation in a project/sales bonus pool tied to successfully closed projects.
• Master’s-level candidates may be eligible for compensation above the standard range for exceptional qualifications.
• Health insurance (employee-only cost indicated at approximately $10/month).
• 401(k) with company match equal to 50% of the employee’s first 6% contribution.
• PTO: 2 weeks in year one; 3 weeks after five years; 4 weeks after ten years.
• Paid holidays included.

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Work Location & Schedule

This role is based in the Milwaukee metro area and is primarily on-site. The search prioritizes candidates in Saint Francis, Menomonee Falls, greater Milwaukee, and southeastern Wisconsin. Candidates from Northern Illinois/Chicago who are open to relocation may also be considered. There is no regular travel requirement.

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Relocation & Work Authorization

Limited relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate (particularly from Northern Illinois/Chicago). The Confidential Client does not plan to initiate new employment sponsorship for this position; candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring new employer sponsorship.

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Why This Opportunity Is Different

• Influence projects at the conceptual stage — shape how ambitious architectural ideas become buildable structures.
• Work directly with architects on visually distinctive projects involving structural glass and specialty steel systems.
• Gain broad exposure early — collaborate with architects, estimating, sales, contractors, and execution engineering teams.
• Develop specialized expertise on the job; prior glass-industry experience is not required.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.