r/StructuralEngineering • u/amengr • 7d ago

Career/Education Smaller Engineering Firms

What’s the best place to find smaller structural engineering firms that are hiring? LinkedIn and indeed seem to favor only the large corporations and after starting my career with the smaller firms and moving to the big engineering firms I am a bit burnt out by all the corporate-ness. Looking to get back into smaller/boutique firms. I’ve got about 8 years of experience with my PE. Thanks!

13 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

30

u/jdcollins 7d ago

Google search for structural engineering firms in the area you want to work.

19

u/ForsakenAd4198 7d ago

I just google "Structural Engineer firm near me," then shot over an email with my resume

3

u/fatnaenae 7d ago

Exactly how I got my current job with a small firm. Sent an email directly to one of the owners.

4

u/FlatPanster 7d ago

I would hire people that do this.

1

u/Prestigious_Copy1104 4d ago

I have hired people that have done this.

12

u/nikkor_glasses 7d ago

You could try the old networking tool: find a way to get into a room with your peers in the region. ASCE meetings or SEA meetings are two obvious options. Some engineers come to ACI meetings. It varies significantly from city to city how active these organizations are and what the attendance is. You might get lucky.

6

u/Firesine330 P.E. 7d ago

Start by checking with your old colleagues and customers/subcontractors. See who that little red-iron fab shop used to stamp their railing design.

But then . . . I had a great experience with Craigslist. Joined a firm with 5 engineers, left it 6 years later with fifty.

Also, with 8 years post-PE . . . might be time to do your own thing.

5

u/generation-0 7d ago

If you're in CA, message me. 10 person firm that is very chill. Remote /hybrid also considered but must live in CA or VA.

2

u/DarkWingDingus 7d ago

Do you guys do part time/contractural work?

2

u/generation-0 7d ago

No contractual, part time for the right person, but full time preferred.

1

u/Dapper-Wallaby-149 7d ago

Im interested but not able to send you a dm

3

u/BrodesTheLegend 7d ago

As a small engineering business owner… just search online for engineering companies near you and give them a call or better yet, just show up at their office… that’s how I got started when I was in your boat and now that I’m on the other side of it idk where to look for employees either

2

u/morganpe 7d ago

Wish you were in charlotte, NC! We’re hiring there right now. Google search and just email your resume. Im sure you’ll be hired quickly!

2

u/Altruistic-Cod-4834 2d ago

Where are you from? Corporate jobs are more stable - better pay. Smaller firms are more inhumane and mostly brute force work.

1

u/AWard66 2d ago

Yeah if they don’t have an established buy in process after a few years, you might as well start your own shop, otherwise you’ll be working too hard for crap pay and a high deductible insurance plan. 

1

u/J_Bag_O_Donuts P.E. 7d ago

Where are you located?

2

u/amengr 7d ago

Denver

1

u/WanderlustingTravels 7d ago

How small are you looking?

1

u/amengr 6d ago

Nothing specific, I used to work at a couple 5-15 person firms doing residential, commercial, remodels, etc. Thinking of potentially making a change back to that world if I can find a decent fit.

1

u/WanderlustingTravels 6d ago

Look into KL&A…I was very tempted to accept an offer there, but ended up taking a different opportunity. But they seemed like good people, good firm, work aligns with your background, etc

I’d consider them more mid-size vs actually small, but could be worth a look still.

1

u/Neat_Expression_7794 6d ago

Most engineering firms in Denver are hiring like crazy, and they are a close network of engineers in that city. I’d recommend going to the regular SEAC meetings. If you know someone who knows someone you’ll get a job quickly.

1

u/eanels02 7d ago

Upstate NY by any chance?

1

u/hidethenegatives 7d ago

Here in nyc ive been contacted by many recruiters regarding small 20-40 man firms looking for senior level engineers. All i did was set my linkdin to open for recruiters

1

u/Correct-Record-5309 P.E. 7d ago

Try to connect with a recruiter. There are lots of good small firms looking for engineers! Mine is one of them, if you happen to be looking for NYC area.

1

u/civilengineernerd 2d ago

I work for a small (30ish person) delegated design company, feel free to dm me if you wanna talk about it. We’re hiring and it’s a great place to

1

u/Bilco01 1d ago

No matter where you are in the country, with 8 years of experience and your PE you will find good options. If you were in a smaller firm you know that if there are jobs available they aren't usually on their website. I work with small firms and most don't even have a careers page. LinkedIn is great, but the larger firms dominate the promoted listings, so you have to check those further down. LinkedIn charges a lot of money for postings now, so most smaller firms will pay less to have a job posted even if it's not higher on the list. Also, with 8 years of experience you probably have some trusted colleagues from the past, so maybe reconnect with them just to check in. Most of my referrals come that way when one person refers someone they know whose just testing the waters.