Lead Structural Engineer - Food & Beverage

Lead Structural Engineer – Food & Beverage

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a Lead Structural Engineer – Food & Beverage to join a national construction and engineering firm near Atlanta. Sitting within the structural engineering department, the Lead Structural Engineer – Food & Beverage will be dedicated solely to the firm's food and beverage division, shaping structural solutions from first concept through construction and into facility operations. This leader will own the management, coordination, and production of structural design services, working alongside operations, preconstruction, architecture, and other engineering disciplines to deliver designs that are buildable, cost-conscious, and on schedule. The role is on-site and office-based in Gainesville, GA, overseeing multiple projects at once with periodic construction site visits.

What You'll Do

• Serve as Engineer of Record for the firm's in-house structural design work.
• Evaluate damaged or emergency conditions and engineer repair and remediation designs.
• Produce construction drawings and specifications, deliver each document milestone package, and create marketing content for project pursuits.
• Build drafting templates and content libraries that strengthen design workflows.
• Collaborate with preconstruction on 5D and model-based estimating.
• Engineer concrete, masonry, wood, and steel structural systems across industrial, educational, storage, office, and residential building types.
• Apply current construction methods, technology, and building codes across projects of varying size and complexity.
• Champion design-build pursuits by defining project scope, preparing proposal materials, and joining client presentations and interviews.
• Partner with the operations team lead, preconstruction, and design to set appropriate budgets, run required design and preconstruction meetings, and analyze alternative design options.
• Integrate structural work with architectural, MEP, refrigeration, and process engineering teams to create cohesive building solutions.
• Align with construction and estimating teams so designs remain practical, constructible, and within budget.
• Review submittals, answer RFIs, and support construction administration.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers while advancing internal design standards, workflows, and technical practices.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• 5+ years of relevant Structural Engineering Design experience.
• S.E. or P.E. license in Georgia, with the ability to obtain reciprocity in other states.
• Hands-on experience with Design-Build and Progressive Design-Build best practices.
• Strong BIM proficiency within a Revit-based workflow.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, BIM Collaborate Pro / BIM 360, Navisworks, and RAM Steel.
• Experience preparing CSI Specifications using SpecLink, along with Construction Document Production.
• Skill in Submittal Review and Multidisciplinary Coordination on industrial projects.
• Background in Preconstruction and Construction Field Management, with current knowledge of Building Codes.
• Leadership qualities including sound judgment, problem solving, prioritization, adaptability, conflict resolution, customer focus, and an innovative, results-driven mindset.
• Openness to direction and feedback, plus a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Willingness to work non-traditional hours as projects require and to travel for short periods of 2–5 days.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Experience on food and beverage, freezer/cooler, controlled-environment, or industrial manufacturing facility projects.
• Understanding of Industrial Process Coordination and food and beverage facility requirements.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Salary: $150,000 – $180,000
• Bonus: 20%
• Engagement: Full-time, direct hire; on-site in Gainesville, GA
• Benefits: Company car and gas cards
• Relocation: Relocation assistance provided

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you're doing more than pursuing a job, you're aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.