Civil Structural Engineer - Preconstruction

Dashiell, an operating unit of Quanta Services (trading as PWR), is a leading national provider of technical and construction services supporting critical electric infrastructure. We serve electric utilities, power generation, industrial, renewable, and energy markets with integrated capabilities spanning planning and system studies, engineering and design, maintenance and testing, program management, construction, and turnkey EPC delivery.

With more than 60 years of experience executing large, complex projects, Dashiell specializes in medium- and high-voltage electrical infrastructure and delivers safe, reliable solutions across the full project lifecycle. Backed by the scale, resources, and safety culture of Quanta Services, Dashiell partners with clients to build and maintain the infrastructure that powers communities and economies. Learn more at www.dashiell.com.

Primary Function:

We are looking for an experienced Civil/Structural engineer to join our Preconstruction group, supporting the civil and structural scope on high voltage substation EPC projects. This is a technical and cross-functional role — sitting at the intersection of structural engineering, estimating, and procurement — where your work directly drives the accuracy and competitiveness of our bids. The position will be based in our Houston, Texas office located at 12031 Kurland Dr, Houston, TX 77034.

Duties & Responsibilities

Employee may be called upon to perform any or all of the following functions:

• Perform material takeoffs and cost estimates for substation EPC projects, from conceptual/FEL through firm price proposals.
• Develop concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, earthwork, grading, drainage, and civil infrastructure quantities from RFP/IFP, 30%, 60%, and/or IFC drawing sets.
• Prepare estimate basis documentation and assumption logs that clearly communicate scope inclusions, exclusions, and areas of risk or uncertainty.
• Perform value engineering analysis and identify cost-saving alternatives without compromising design intent or code compliance.
• Review geotechnical investigation reports and apply findings to foundation system design assumptions, bearing capacity, and soil parameters.
• Develop or review structure designs for substation equipment including seismic and wind loading per applicable codes (ACI, AISC, IEEE, ASCE 7).
• Create detailed scopes of work, engineering notes, and technical specifications that the procurement team can solicit and price from subcontractors and material vendors.
• Develop RFQ packages for civil/structural subcontract scopes including earthwork, concrete, structural steel, pile driving, and site utilities.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure lead times, material specs, and vendor qualifications align with project schedule and quality requirements.
• Review client-furnished electrical plans and coordinate civil/structural implications including equipment pad locations, conduit routing, grounding grid assumptions, and drainage considerations.
• Participate in constructibility reviews and identify site conditions, access constraints, or sequencing risks that affect civil/structural cost or schedule.
• Mentor junior civil/structural engineers; develop team capability in quantity takeoff methods, structural calculation standards, and estimating best practices.
• Assist with change order preparation and scope adjustment documentation during project execution as needed.
• Conduct or support site investigations and walkdowns to gather field data and validate estimate assumptions.
• Lead or participate in internal proposal reviews; present civil/structural scope clearly to estimating leads, project managers, and executive stakeholders.
• Perform special projects and complete other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Construction Management from an ABET-accredited program is preferred; significant field or EPC experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. A minimum of 4–7 years of experience in civil/structural design, estimating, or a combined role on substation, transmission, or heavy power infrastructure EPC projects is required.

Required

• Demonstrated experience with structural analysis and design for substation applications: equipment foundations, bus support structures, control building structures, retaining walls, and oil containment.
• Experience developing civil/structural estimates and quantity takeoffs for high voltage substation projects (4kV–765kV).
• P.E. license preferred; candidates actively pursuing licensure will be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable design codes: ACI 318, AISC 360, ASCE 7, IEEE 693, and relevant utility owner standards.
• Proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as RISA, L-Pile, or equivalent.
• Proficient with digital takeoff tools such as Bluebeam Revu or Adobe Acrobat.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, vendors, and clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred

• Familiarity with utility owner design standards (CNP, ONCOR, AEP, Entergy, etc.).
• Exposure to industrial plants, BESS, solar, combined cycle generation, and/or transmission line civil scope.

Physical Requirements:

Physical Requirements

• This position requires minimal physical effort.
• Must be able to endure prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer for a minimum of 8 hours a day.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work indoors, with occasional outdoor exposure to year-round weather conditions and noise.
• Must be able and willing to travel overnight for trainings and/or meetings as required (10%).
• Working extended hours, including weekends, may be required periodically.
• May occasionally lift up to 25 pounds at a time.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions as defined by Company policy

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dashiell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Dashiell offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Benefits include company-paid life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long-term disability insurance, and an employee assistance program. Additional benefit offerings include medical coverage through a traditional PPO or one of two high-deductible health plans (with FSA or HSA options), dental and vision coverage, supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, critical illness insurance, group accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and a 401(k) plan with immediate vesting, among others.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without current or future visa sponsorship. Third-party recruiters and agencies, please do not contact us regarding this position.