Structural Engineer Resume Guide: Examples, Skills & Templates (2026)

Structural engineers within the civil engineering field contribute to 23,600 annual job openings, with federal infrastructure funding and climate-resilient design requirements expanding project backlogs and creating heightened demand for PE-licensed professionals who demonstrate quantified building and bridge design expertise.¹

TL;DR

Structural engineer resumes require PE licensure status, demonstrated analysis software proficiency, and quantified project portfolios spanning building types and structural systems. Recruiters evaluate candidates based on code expertise, calculation capability, and ability to balance structural efficiency with constructability. The most common mistake? Omitting structural system types, building heights, and span lengths that contextualize experience scope. This guide provides 15 work experience examples, ATS keywords, and professional summaries for building, bridge, industrial, and forensic structural engineering specializations.

What Recruiters Look For

Recruiters prioritize technical precision, quantifiable project impact, and professional certifications for structural engineering resumes. Highlight specific software skills like AutoCAD and STAAD.Pro, showcase measurable achievements such as cost reduction or design efficiency improvements, and prominently display PE licensure and advanced engineering credentials.

Hiring managers screening structural engineer candidates prioritize PE licensure, analysis software expertise, and demonstrated experience with relevant building types or infrastructure. ATS systems filter for specific software names, structural system terminology, and code references.

The SE (Structural Engineer) license designation exists in several states for work on significant structures—California, Illinois, and Washington require SE licensure for hospitals, schools, and other essential facilities.² Candidates targeting these markets should clearly indicate licensure status and pursuit timeline.

Top 5 Things Recruiters Look For:

1. PE/SE license status - Active licensure or clear path with FE passed and experience accumulation timeline
2. Analysis software proficiency - ETABS, SAP2000, RISA, STAAD Pro, RAM Structural with demonstrated project applications
3. Building code expertise - IBC, ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC specifications knowledge
4. Structural system experience - Steel, concrete, timber, masonry system design matching firm's project focus
5. Project type alignment - Commercial, healthcare, education, industrial, or infrastructure experience matching target role

Structural engineers typically earn between $99,400 and $104,617 nationally, with senior engineers commanding $120,000+ in major metropolitan markets.³ Resumes demonstrating seismic design, progressive collapse analysis, or specialty structure experience command premium consideration.

Best Resume Format

Chronological format works best for structural engineers, showcasing progression from designer through project engineer to project manager while demonstrating increasing structural complexity. This format highlights expanding responsibility and building type diversity.

Licensed Professional Engineers should display credentials prominently after name (e.g., "John Smith, PE, SE"). Multi-state licensure demonstrates mobility and client service capability increasingly valued by consulting firms.

Structural engineering resume format specifications:

• Length: One page for candidates under 7 years experience; two pages for licensed engineers with diverse project portfolios
• Key Projects section: Consider dedicated section highlighting signature structures with system type, size, and location
• Technical skills: Position analysis software prominently with experience level indicators
• Licensure: Display PE/SE status, state(s), and license numbers in header

Include structural system diversity in project descriptions—steel moment frames, concrete shear walls, post-tensioned slabs, timber trusses—to demonstrate range and attract varied project opportunities.

Key Skills Section

Hard Skills

• ETABS/SAP2000 - Multi-story building analysis, seismic design, dynamic analysis
• RISA-3D/STAAD Pro - Steel and concrete frame analysis, foundation design
• RAM Structural System - Gravity and lateral system design, connection design
• Revit Structure - BIM modeling, structural documentation, coordination
• AutoCAD - Structural detailing, construction documents, shop drawing review
• SAFE - Mat foundation and slab design, punching shear analysis
• Mathcad/Excel - Hand calculations, design spreadsheet development
• Tedds/Enercalc - Component design calculations, code compliance verification
• Steel connection design - Moment connections, braced frames, base plates (RISA Connection, IDEA StatiCa)
• Concrete design - ACI 318 compliance, reinforcement detailing, PT design

Soft Skills

• Technical Communication - Calculation documentation, design narratives, client presentations
• Coordination - Architect, MEP, and contractor interface management
• Problem Resolution - Field issue response, design modification, value engineering
• Mentorship - Junior engineer development, calculation review, technical guidance
• Client Management - Scope definition, fee negotiation, relationship development

Work Experience Examples

Use these templates to structure your own achievement-focused bullet points:

For Entry-Level Structural Engineers (0-3 years):

• Designed steel moment frame lateral system for 8-story office building using ETABS, achieving 1.2% drift ratio and optimizing member sizes to reduce structural steel tonnage by 8%
• Developed foundation design for 150,000 SF warehouse using SAFE, specifying mat foundation system saving $200K versus pile alternative
• Created construction documents for 25 residential and commercial projects totaling 500,000 SF, maintaining 98% first-submission permit approval rate
• Performed progressive collapse analysis for federal building renovation per GSA guidelines, documenting redundancy and recommending targeted reinforcement
• Conducted 50+ structural condition assessments for existing buildings, preparing reports documenting deficiencies and recommending repairs

For Mid-Level Structural Engineers (4-8 years):

• Led structural design for $45M healthcare facility, coordinating 4-person team through design development and achieving OSHPD approval on first submission
• Designed hybrid steel-concrete structural system for 25-story residential tower, optimizing lateral system to reduce construction schedule by 6 weeks
• Managed peer review process for complex structures, identifying critical design issues and coordinating resolution without schedule impact
• Implemented BIM workflow for structural documentation, reducing coordination RFIs during construction by 40% across 12 projects
• Developed seismic retrofit design for unreinforced masonry building, achieving life-safety performance objective while preserving historic facade

For Senior Structural Engineers (9+ years):

• Directed structural engineering services for $350M mixed-use development, managing team of 8 engineers and achieving substantial completion 2 months ahead of schedule
• Established firm-wide structural calculation standards and ETABS template library, improving design efficiency by 30% and ensuring code compliance consistency
• Built healthcare/institutional practice generating $2.5M annual revenue through strategic client development and successful project delivery
• Mentored 12 junior engineers through PE preparation and professional development, with 8 achieving licensure within 3-year period
• Published technical papers on innovative structural systems, presenting at SEAOC and ACI conventions to enhance firm technical reputation

Professional Summary Examples

Entry-Level Structural Engineer

Structural engineering graduate (ABET-accredited) with EIT certification and internship experience in commercial building design. Proficient in ETABS, Revit Structure, and steel/concrete design through academic projects and 8-month internship with multi-disciplinary consulting firm. Pursuing PE licensure with exam scheduled for April 2026.

Mid-Career Structural Engineer

Licensed Professional Engineer with 6 years of experience designing commercial, healthcare, and educational structures from concept through construction. Delivered 2M+ SF of structural design achieving zero construction-phase structural RFIs. Expert in ETABS, SAP2000, and seismic design with strong contractor coordination skills.

Senior Structural Engineer

PE-licensed structural engineer with 15 years leading structural design teams on complex commercial and institutional projects. Track record delivering $500M+ in building projects while maintaining zero structural failures and exceptional client relationships. Expertise in high-rise design, seismic retrofit, and building high-performing engineering teams.

Education & Certifications

Required Education:

Structural engineering positions require a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program. The degree provides foundational knowledge in structural analysis, steel and concrete design, and mechanics of materials essential for professional practice.⁴

Master's degrees in structural engineering enhance candidacy significantly, particularly for complex building design and specialty structure roles. Approximately 40% of structural engineers hold graduate degrees.⁵

Format your education section with:

• Degree and structural emphasis notation
• University name and ABET accreditation
• Graduation date
• GPA if above 3.5 (important for entry-level)
• Graduate thesis title if structurally relevant

Recommended Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) - State licensing board - Required for sealing structural drawings and independent practice²
• Structural Engineer (SE) - State licensing board (select states) - Required for hospitals, schools, essential facilities in CA, IL, WA, and others
• LEED AP - USGBC - Valuable for sustainable building design projects
• ICC Structural Plans Examiner - International Code Council - Demonstrates code expertise
• Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) Certification - Valuable for PT concrete design specialists

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Omitting structural system types - "Designed buildings" lacks specificity; specify steel moment frame, concrete shear wall, wood frame, etc.

2. Missing building scale context - Include story count, square footage, and spans to contextualize structural complexity

3. Vague code references - Demonstrate code expertise by referencing specific standards (IBC 2021, ASCE 7-22, ACI 318-19)

4. Ignoring coordination experience - Structural engineers interface with architects, MEP, and contractors; highlight coordination achievements

5. Burying PE status - Licensure belongs in header and summary; states of licensure matter for regional firms

6. Excluding seismic/wind experience - Lateral system design expertise differentiates candidates; specify design categories and system types

7. Neglecting construction phase services - Shop drawing review, RFI response, and field observation experience demonstrates full-project capability

ATS Keywords for Structural Engineer

Include these keywords naturally throughout your resume:

Technical Skills: structural analysis, structural design, seismic design, lateral system design, foundation design, steel design, concrete design, connection design, load path analysis, progressive collapse

Tools & Software: ETABS, SAP2000, RISA-3D, STAAD Pro, RAM Structural, Revit Structure, AutoCAD, SAFE, Mathcad, Tedds, Enercalc, IDEA StatiCa

Industry Terms: building codes, IBC, ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC, NDS, moment frame, shear wall, braced frame, post-tensioned, reinforced concrete, structural steel

Action Verbs: designed, analyzed, calculated, coordinated, reviewed, detailed, specified, evaluated, assessed, investigated, supervised, managed

Certifications: PE, SE, EIT, FE, LEED AP, ICC

Key Takeaways

For entry-level candidates:

• Emphasize analysis software proficiency with specific building type applications
• Highlight FE exam completion and PE pursuit timeline prominently
• Include structural system diversity from academic and internship projects

For experienced professionals:

• Lead with PE/SE credentials and total project value/square footage designed
• Demonstrate progression from component design to full-building responsibility
• Include specialty structure experience (healthcare, high-rise, seismic retrofit)

For career changers:

• Emphasize transferable analytical and calculation skills from related engineering fields
• Highlight relevant graduate coursework or professional development
• Target entry points matching existing structural or construction background

Ready to build your structural engineer resume? Resume Geni's AI-powered builder helps you optimize for ATS systems and includes industry-specific templates for structural engineering roles.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Structural Engineer Resumes

What technical skills should a Structural Engineer include on their resume?

Structural Engineers must highlight proficiency in AutoCAD, STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, and finite element analysis (FEA) software. Demonstrate hands-on experience with structural design tools like Revit, ETABS, and MicroStation. Include coding skills in Python or MATLAB for advanced computational modeling and engineering calculations.

The most in-demand skills for Structural Engineer positions include Problem Solving, Code Review, Agile, Git, Testing. Prioritize the skills mentioned in the job description and organize them by proficiency level. Include both hard technical skills and soft skills like team collaboration and problem-solving.

How should a Structural Engineer format their resume for ATS compatibility?

Structural Engineer resumes must highlight technical skills, software proficiencies, and project-specific quantifiable achievements. Prioritize STAAD.Pro, AutoCAD, and SAP2000 certifications, emphasizing design load calculations, material stress analysis, and specific infrastructure project metrics. Include PE licensing number and relevant NCEES credentials.

Use a clean, single-column format with standard section headings like "Experience," "Skills," and "Education." Avoid tables, graphics, or unusual fonts that ATS systems struggle to parse. Learn more in our ATS formatting guide.

Should a Structural Engineer include a GitHub or portfolio link on their resume?

Structural Engineers should include a GitHub or professional portfolio link, especially if they use computational modeling or design software. Demonstrating coding skills in platforms like MATLAB, Python, or structural analysis tools adds technical credibility. A well-curated link showcases project complexity, technical proficiency, and problem-solving approach beyond traditional resume constraints.

Yes, absolutely. A GitHub profile or portfolio demonstrates your practical coding abilities and open-source contributions. Include links in your contact section and reference specific projects in your experience bullets. See our guide on showcasing technical portfolios.

How long should a Structural Engineer resume be?

Structural engineer resumes should be one to two pages long, with one page ideal for early-career professionals and two pages recommended for senior engineers. Prioritize detailed project descriptions, specific engineering achievements, and technical certifications. Include quantifiable impacts like cost savings, project scale, and complex structural design accomplishments.

For most Structural Engineer positions, aim for one page if you have less than 10 years of experience, or two pages for senior roles. Focus on relevant experience and impactful projects rather than listing every job you've held.

What certifications are valuable for Structural Engineer resumes?

Professional PE (Professional Engineer) licensure is the most critical certification for structural engineers. PE certification demonstrates advanced technical competence and legal authorization to approve structural design plans. Additional valuable certifications include SE (Structural Engineer) designation and LEED credentials for sustainability-focused engineering roles.

Industry-recognized certifications add credibility. For Structural Engineer roles, consider certifications like Relevant industry certifications. Include them in a dedicated "Certifications" section.

Related Resume Resources for Structural Engineers

• Complete ATS Resume Formatting Guide
• How to Write a Technical Skills Section
• Quantifying Achievements on Your Resume
• Resume Keywords Optimization Guide
• Career Change Resume Tips for Tech Professionals