Protective Design Project Engineer

• Sub-Discipline:
  Protective Design/Blast Engineering
• Discipline :
  Specialty Engineering

At
KPFF Consulting Engineers
, we are more than just an
engineering design firm
. For
65 years
, we have dedicated ourselves to
innovative, sustainable engineering
that shapes the
built environment
and tackles
complex infrastructure challenges
. Our
team culture
emphasizes
balance, growth, and well-being
, supporting each member’s professional journey with
flexibility, generous benefits,and a
collaborative approach
to work-life integration.

With over1,400 professionals across 30 offices nationwide
, KPFF’s
decentralized structure
allows each office the
flexibility to pursue projects
aligned with their
regional strengths
. Learn more  .

As a Protective Design Engineer at KPFF, you’ll be part of a specialized team with members in San Francisco and Portland who focused on designing resilient structures that protect people and critical infrastructure. You’ll apply and expand your expertise on projects that address both intentional threats and accidental events, building advanced skills in areas such as blast engineering, progressive collapse prevention, and hostile vehicle mitigation.

If you’ve built a foundation in protective design or structural engineering and are eager to take on more responsibility, this role offers the opportunity to expand your expertise, lead portions of projects, and guide early-career engineers. You’ll work with diverse teams to create tailored solutions that strengthen safety and resilience in projects across industries and clients.

What Makes This Role Unique:

• Apply advanced design skills in specialized, analytical projects that push technical and creative boundaries.
• Lead portions of projects and support technical development of early-career engineers while continuing to grow your own expertise.
• Collaborate with diverse design teams where your input directly shapes construction and implementation.
• Contribute to impactful projects across industries including aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
• Engage in ongoing innovation with opportunities to explore emerging technologies and material applications.

If you’re looking to build on your experience in protective design, this role gives you the chance to take on complex projects, grow your technical expertise, and develop your leadership skills along the way. The qualifications that will help you succeed include:

• A master’s degree in Structural Engineering, or a closely related program with structural emphasis, is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in structural engineering, with exposure to or direct involvement in protective design projects (blast analysis, progressive collapse, physical security, or non-linear analysis preferred).
• Proficiency with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP
  2000, RISA-3D; LS-DYNA a plus). Familiarity with BIM tools such as Revit or AutoCAD.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and partners.
• Commitment to professional growth and mentorship, with interest in supporting junior staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are primarily conducted in a standard office setting, requiring prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or computer table.
• Occasionally may be required to lift objects weighing up to 15 lbs.
• Occasionally visiting project and construction sites may involve walking, standing, kneeling, or navigating uneven terrain.
• Traveling to project sites or client meetings, which may involve driving or flying.

Compensation
The expected salary range for this role is $90,000 - $110,000
, aligned with candidates who bring at least 3 years of structural engineering experience with protective design exposure. Final compensation will also consider education, licensure status, and overall skills. In addition, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize outstanding contributions. During the interview process, we’ll review the full compensation and benefits package and answer any questions you may have.

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