Protective Design Project Engineer

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 over 1,400 professionals across 30 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.

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, SAP2000, 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.

Culture and Benefits

At KPFF, your career growth and well-being matter. In the Protective Design group, you’ll be part of a collaborative, specialized team where your work directly contributes to projects that protect people and critical infrastructure. We value autonomy, innovation, and teamwork, and we’re committed to helping engineers grow into leaders in this unique field.

• Mentorship & Growth: Expand your expertise while mentoring junior engineers. Through KPFF’s Forefront Education Program and project-based learning, you’ll have access to continuous training, leadership development, and opportunities to advance your career.
• Strong Connections: Build lasting relationships across multidisciplinary teams, from architects to contractors to federal partners. Trust, open communication, and teamwork are at the core of our culture.
• Supportive Environment: We encourage balance, provide resources for a healthy lifestyle, and create opportunities to connect through professional networks, social activities, and community involvement.

Comprehensive Benefits: We’re proud to offer flexible and competitive benefits, including:​​​​​​​

• Medical Plan Options: Choice of Traditional PPO or HDHP with HSA, covering preventive care and prescriptions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Tax-advantaged accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Dental & Vision: Full preventive care, plus coverage for major dental services and vision allowances.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential support for personal, family, and work challenges.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Company-provided life insurance equal to one year’s salary, plus AD&D.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF contributes 3% of salary, with no match needed. 
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term coverage at 60% income, fully covered by KPFF.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, two floating holidays, and paid company holidays.
• Paid Family Leave: Six weeks at 60% pay, with options to use PTO for full income.

KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to 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.