Staff Structural Engineer (EIT)

Company: Dow Engineering PLLC
Location: Sumner, WA 98390 — in person
Job type: Full-time
Pay: $42.00 – $50.00 per hour, depending on experience
Schedule: Monday–Friday, about 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Experience: 2–4 years

Job summary

We are hiring an in-person Staff Structural Engineer (EIT) who can already perform gravity and lateral design for wood-framed residential and light commercial buildings, and who is on a clear path to a Washington PE license. This is not an entry-level drafting seat. Most of your time will be calculations, load-path decisions, and review of drafter work. You will also oversee and train an entry-level structural EIT. All work is performed under the responsible charge of a licensed Professional Engineer. You will not stamp drawings until you hold your own PE.

Responsibilities

• Perform vertical (gravity) calculations for wood-framed residential and light commercial structures: beams, headers, girders, posts, joists, rafters/trusses, bearing walls, and foundations.
• Perform lateral calculations for wind and seismic, including shear walls, hold-downs, collectors, drag struts, and diaphragm continuity, consistent with ASCE 7 and AWC SDPWS for west-side Washington seismic design categories.
• Prepare complete, reviewable calculation packages that support the PE’s stamp: criteria, load take-down, member design, code references, and assumptions.
• Review structural drawings produced by CAD technicians and the junior EIT for engineering completeness — member sizes, load path, detail callouts, notes, and coordination with architectural layouts.
• Redline drafter work and return clear markups. Limited production drafting in AutoCAD LT only when needed to communicate design intent.
• Oversee, assign work to, and train an entry-level structural engineer on calculations, detailing, and office standards.
• Coordinate with clients, architects, and building departments on comments, RFIs, and construction questions, with PE review before anything leaves the office as engineering direction.
• Assist with site observations and existing-structure assessments as assigned.
• Maintain organized project files and calculation records suitable for PE review and future PE-application experience verification.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering (structural emphasis preferred) from a program acceptable to the Washington Board (BRPELS). ABET-accredited preferred.
• Current Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. FE exam must already be passed.
• 2–4 years of professional structural engineering experience after graduation. Internships do not substitute for this range.
• Demonstrated ability to complete gravity and lateral calculations for wood-framed buildings with limited supervision.
• Working knowledge of IBC/IRC, ASCE 7, AWC NDS, AWC SDPWS, and Washington State Building Code amendments.
• Ability to review another person’s drawings and calculations and explain what is missing or wrong.
• Intent to obtain a Washington PE license and willingness to document experience under the supervising PE.
• Ability to work on site in Sumner, WA. Valid driver’s license for occasional local site visits.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred qualifications

• Most of your 2–4 years spent on wood-framed residential, ADU, addition, multifamily, or light commercial buildings — not only steel/concrete high-rise or industrial work.
• Experience preparing calculation packages that have gone through Western Washington building-department review (Pierce County, King County, or similar).
• Experience marking up or directing CAD technicians. Daily production CAD is not the job.
• Familiarity with Forte, WoodWorks, Enercalc, or similar wood-design tools, plus Excel calculation workbooks.
• Prior informal mentoring of an intern or junior EIT.
• PE exam scheduled, or eligible to sit within 2 years.

Licensure path (Washington)

Washington PE licensure generally requires eight years of combined education and qualifying experience, the FE exam, the NCEES PE exam, and the Washington law review. An ABET bachelor’s degree typically counts as four of those eight years, so most candidates sit for the PE after about four years of PE-supervised work. This role is structured so your calculations, reviews, and project work can be verified by the licensed PE for your BRPELS experience record. A Washington SE endorsement is a separate credential after PE licensure and is not required for this position.

What this role is — and is not

You are the technical lead under the PE for typical wood-frame jobs: you calculate, you check the drawings, and you develop the junior EIT. You are not the Engineer of Record and you do not stamp. You are not a full-time CAD technician.

How to apply

Apply only through this Indeed listing. Attach your resume and a brief note on your EIT status, years of wood-frame design experience, and PE-exam timeline. A short redacted calculation sample (gravity and/or lateral) is welcome. We do not accept applications by email.

Pay: $42.00 - $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Experience:

• Structural Engineering: 2 years (Required)
• Wood Framing: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

License/Certification:

• Engineer in Training (Required)

Location:

• Sumner, WA 98390 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Sumner, WA 98390 (Required)

Work Location: In person