Structural Engineer

As a Structural Engineer, you will provide direction in structural, seismic, and blast engineering for design and construction of new facilities and major renovations. The Public Buildings Service (PBS) Office of Engineering oversees architecture, engineering, urban development, historic preservation, courthouse and border station programs, construction services, and project management. We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

• Serve as a national leader representing state-of-the-art structural engineering practices, requiring exceptional communication and organizational skills. Conduct briefings, discussions, and negotiations with high-level agency representatives, GSA management, contract architects, construction firms, and external stakeholders to resolve controversies, promote innovative approaches, and develop consensus. Negotiations frequently involve major structures having unique problems or requiring unusual treatment. Serve as a recognized technical authority and code official in structural, seismic, and blast engineering, as assigned, to all GSA architects, engineers, and project managers as well as partner agencies, contract architects and engineers, construction managers, and construction contract teams. Provide guidance regarding design and construction of new Federal properties plus the repair, alteration, and maintenance of existing Federal properties. Review and comment on reports and other specialized studies performed related to all aspects of structural engineering. Consult and provide expert direction to other specialists on GSA structural design and construction policy regarding new, existing, and leased buildings. Provide leadership and expert advice to GSA Business lines, project teams, personnel, partner agencies, and contract architect-engineers regarding highly specialized structural, seismic, and blast engineering programs. Develop and guide the implementation of new approaches for buildings of major size and complexity based upon legislation and executive directives. Define building standards aimed at mitigating risks from terrorist attacks and natural disasters, serving as a member of the Interagency Security Committee (ISC). These standards frequently surpass those found in model building codes. Their development involves actual blast testing, advanced computer modeling, and collaboration across various agencies. Sustain expertise in the latest developments in the professional engineering field by reviewing technical literature and attending conferences or professional society meetings. Apply new developments in the field of expertise by adapting existing knowledge or applications to fit unique design or construction issues or situations.

Qualifications

To evaluate your qualifications, your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience described below. Your resume must not exceed two pages. To ensure your qualifications can be fully evaluated, we recommend including the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address; Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade); Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement. Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume. The GS-14 salary range starts at $127,829 per year. Salary depends on the duty location and associated locality pay. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected. To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level or higher in the Federal service. This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience applying advanced structural engineering principles to the evaluation, design, and retrofit of large or complex or mission critical facilities, including, but not limited to providing technical leadership on issues related to: structural performance, seismic safety, blast resistance, progressive collapse mitigation, and/or physical security. Such experience includes interpreting and implementing engineering standards and facility security criteria, conducting structural, and seismic risk assessments, reviewing structural designs for new construction or major modernization projects, and advising project teams and/or government officials on mitigation strategies for structural, seismic and/or security-related risks.

Announcement details

• Agency: Public Buildings Service (General Services Administration)
• Announcement number: PA-2026-0005
• Series: 0810 Civil Engineering
• Pay plan and grade: GS 14
• Pay: $127,829 – $197,200 Per Year
• Open to: Open to the public
• Open period: October 16, 2026 to October 29, 2026 (US Eastern)

Apply on the official USAJOBS announcement. Application instructions on USAJOBS take precedence over this summary.