KPFF Consulting Engineers
Entry-Level Protective Design Engineer
KPFF Consulting Engineers, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Company Description
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an engineering design firm that has dedicated 65 years to innovative, sustainable engineering shaping the built environment and tackling complex infrastructure challenges. The company’s 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 over 1,400 professionals across 30 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with regional strengths.
Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description As a Protective Design Engineer at KPFF, you’ll join a specialized team in San Francisco and Portland dedicated to designing resilient structures that safeguard people and critical infrastructure. You’ll contribute to projects that address intentional threats and accidental events, developing expertise in blast engineering, progressive collapse prevention, and hostile vehicle mitigation. This position offers structural engineers the chance to apply their skills in both traditional and non‑traditional contexts, taking on impactful projects that strengthen safety and resilience across industries.
What Makes This Role Unique
Engage in analytical, design‑focused projects that strengthen your technical expertise and problem‑solving skills.
Take on complex challenges that call for creativity, innovation, and customized solutions.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams where your ideas and contributions directly influence project outcomes.
Contribute to impactful projects across industries including aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
Qualifications
A master’s degree in Structural Engineering or a closely related program with structural emphasis is required.
Experience, coursework, or internship exposure to blast engineering, structural dynamics, progressive collapse, or non‑linear analysis.
Familiarity with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP2000, RISA‑3D; LS‑DYNA) is a plus; experience with BIM tools like Revit or AutoCAD is helpful.
Computational modeling/programming (MATLAB, Python or similar) is advantageous.
Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to approach complex problems with creativity and analytical thinking.
Strong written and verbal skills to work effectively with diverse teams of engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants.
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 may involve driving or flying.
Compensation The expected salary range for this entry‑level role is
$80,000 – $95,000 , aligned with candidates who have recently completed a master’s degree in structural engineering and bring up to three years of internship, research, or early professional experience. Final compensation will also consider education, licensure status, and overall skills. In addition, we offer performance‑based bonuses to recognize outstanding contributions.
Culture and Benefits
Mentorship & Growth: Work closely with engineers who are recognized experts in protective design. Through KPFF’s Forefront Education Program and on‑the‑job training, you’ll have access to continuous learning, leadership development, and opportunities to advance your career while exploring non‑traditional applications of structural engineering.
Strong Connections: Protective design work is highly collaborative—you’ll build lasting relationships within KPFF and across multidisciplinary teams, from architects to contractors to federal partners.
Supportive Environment: Your well‑being matters. We encourage balance, provide resources for a healthy lifestyle, and create opportunities to connect through social activities, professional networks, and community involvement.
Comprehensive Benefits: Flexible and competitive benefits, including medical plan options (Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), dental & vision, employee assistance program (EAP), life & AD&D insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, disability insurance, paid time off, and paid family leave.
Equal Opportunity Statement KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E‑Verify and will confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
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Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description As a Protective Design Engineer at KPFF, you’ll join a specialized team in San Francisco and Portland dedicated to designing resilient structures that safeguard people and critical infrastructure. You’ll contribute to projects that address intentional threats and accidental events, developing expertise in blast engineering, progressive collapse prevention, and hostile vehicle mitigation. This position offers structural engineers the chance to apply their skills in both traditional and non‑traditional contexts, taking on impactful projects that strengthen safety and resilience across industries.
What Makes This Role Unique
Engage in analytical, design‑focused projects that strengthen your technical expertise and problem‑solving skills.
Take on complex challenges that call for creativity, innovation, and customized solutions.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams where your ideas and contributions directly influence project outcomes.
Contribute to impactful projects across industries including aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
Qualifications
A master’s degree in Structural Engineering or a closely related program with structural emphasis is required.
Experience, coursework, or internship exposure to blast engineering, structural dynamics, progressive collapse, or non‑linear analysis.
Familiarity with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP2000, RISA‑3D; LS‑DYNA) is a plus; experience with BIM tools like Revit or AutoCAD is helpful.
Computational modeling/programming (MATLAB, Python or similar) is advantageous.
Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to approach complex problems with creativity and analytical thinking.
Strong written and verbal skills to work effectively with diverse teams of engineers, architects, contractors, and consultants.
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 may involve driving or flying.
Compensation The expected salary range for this entry‑level role is
$80,000 – $95,000 , aligned with candidates who have recently completed a master’s degree in structural engineering and bring up to three years of internship, research, or early professional experience. Final compensation will also consider education, licensure status, and overall skills. In addition, we offer performance‑based bonuses to recognize outstanding contributions.
Culture and Benefits
Mentorship & Growth: Work closely with engineers who are recognized experts in protective design. Through KPFF’s Forefront Education Program and on‑the‑job training, you’ll have access to continuous learning, leadership development, and opportunities to advance your career while exploring non‑traditional applications of structural engineering.
Strong Connections: Protective design work is highly collaborative—you’ll build lasting relationships within KPFF and across multidisciplinary teams, from architects to contractors to federal partners.
Supportive Environment: Your well‑being matters. We encourage balance, provide resources for a healthy lifestyle, and create opportunities to connect through social activities, professional networks, and community involvement.
Comprehensive Benefits: Flexible and competitive benefits, including medical plan options (Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), dental & vision, employee assistance program (EAP), life & AD&D insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, disability insurance, paid time off, and paid family leave.
Equal Opportunity Statement KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E‑Verify and will confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
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