What a structural engineer does
A structural engineer designs and evaluates the frames, foundations and elements that keep buildings and other structures standing. Projects can include new residential, commercial and industrial buildings, renovations and additions, building condition assessments, parking structures and temporary works. The engineer selects structural systems, runs calculations and analysis, prepares drawings and reviews shop drawings and site conditions during construction, working closely with architects, contractors and other engineering disciplines.
Structural work carries high stakes, so experience and licensing matter. An engineer who takes professional responsibility for structural design in Ontario must hold a PEO licence, and you need confidence in their judgment with the materials and building types you work on. Finch screens candidates for project history, design software, Ontario Building Code knowledge and expertise in concrete, steel, timber or masonry, along with their licensing status.
Typical responsibilities
- Design structural systems in concrete, steel, wood or masonry
- Run structural analysis and prepare calculations
- Prepare structural drawings, details and specifications
- Assess existing structures for renovations, additions or repairs
- Review shop drawings and carry out site reviews during construction
- Coordinate with architects, other engineers and contractors
Qualifications and credentials
- A bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited program, or academic qualifications assessed as equivalent by PEO
- A P.Eng. licence from Professional Engineers Ontario for roles that take responsibility for structural design; EITs often support senior engineers
- Knowledge of the Ontario Building Code and CSA design standards for concrete, steel and wood
- Proficiency in analysis and design software such as ETABS, SAFE, SAP2000 or RISA, plus Revit or AutoCAD
- Site review experience is often required for intermediate and senior roles
Who hires a structural engineer
- Structural and multidisciplinary consulting firms
- Architectural firms with in-house engineering
- General contractors and design-build companies
- Precast concrete and steel fabricators
- Building restoration and condition assessment firms
Where we recruit structural engineer candidates
We fill structural engineer roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- PEO licence or EIT status, confirmed where applicable
- Building types and structural materials they have designed with
- Ontario Building Code and CSA standard knowledge
- Analysis and drafting software skills
- Site review experience and judgment with unexpected conditions
Interview questions to ask
- Tell me about a structure where the original design had to change during construction. What drove the change?
- How do you check a model's output to make sure it makes sense?
- How do you approach assessing an older building for a new use or an addition?