Jobs › Leidos

Civil/Structural Engineer

Leidos · Des Plaines, IL · $73,450–$132,775 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about an on-site survey you did that changed your design approach.

What they are checking: Whether they rely on field verification and adjust designs to real conditions.

How do you handle designing for many different project types, from security doors to mechanical installs?

What they are checking: Whether they have the broad range of experience this varied FAA work demands.

What would you do

Technical Operations wants the work done fast, but Air Traffic needs minimal disruption. How do you plan around both?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance stakeholder needs when aviation operations come first.

You find a significant structural issue that will add cost. How do you bring it to the Project Engineer?

What they are checking: Whether they raise problems early with clear options, keeping the Project Engineer advised as the posting requires.

This role is five days a week in Des Plaines with 30 percent travel. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they are comfortable with the in-office schedule and regular site travel.

About the work

Walk me through how you would assess whether an existing foundation can support a new equipment shelter.

What they are checking: Whether they know the site data and analysis needed before adding loads to old structures.

How would you plan a roof replacement on an FAA facility that has to stay operational?

What they are checking: Whether they plan phasing and weather protection so critical equipment inside stays safe.

What goes into a good scope and cost estimate for a parking lot or site refurbishment project?

What they are checking: Whether they can build realistic estimates that cover drainage, materials and site conditions.

What do you include in a risk management document for a facility modernization project?

What they are checking: Whether they identify real risks like unknown site conditions and assign mitigations.

What codes and standards guide your structural designs?

What they are checking: Whether they know IBC, ACI and other standards relevant to federal facilities.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Leidos.

The Engineer will support the FAA’s Engineering Services Infrastructure team by applying broad experience and advanced technical knowledge on multiple, varying, and complex assignments. It is necessary to plan, coordinate and perform work with a high degree of independence, while keeping the Project Engineer advised of significant problem areas. These projects are in the Central Service Area of the FAA and are managed out of regional offices located in Des Plaines, IL. This Structural Civil Engineer role will support the NISC IV program, to serve as project engineers responsible for planning and design activities to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility modernization projects. This position involves the development of project plans, project scopes, schedules, costs, and resource requirements and the development of drawings, specifications, and risk management documents in coordination with facility stakeholders from Technical Operations and Air Traffic organizations. This includes environmental equipment and mechanical system installations, roofing, parking lots, facility refurbishment, shelter replacements, foundation analysis, and security door installations. The position is five days a week in the Des Plaines, IL office, with 30% travel requirement. Primary Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Perform on-site surveys to develop “to-scale” designs and detailed reports. • Generate or review sketches showing relation of proposed installation in existing or new facilities with exact specifications and dimensions. • Participate in construction inspections and final inspections. • Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to identify and resolve problems with the design or implementation. • Coordinate design components with a multi-disciplinary as required for site-specific modifications and new construction. • Prepare AutoCAD construction drawings and prepare site-specific specifications and contract documents and independent cost estimates. • Perform project management related tasks and communication (including safety plans, sequence of work, cutover plans). • Generate and coordinate the Integrated Risk Management Checklists (IRMC), communication plans, project risk register, to meet Operational Risk Management (ORM) requirements. • Coordinate and complete Work Permits required for potential impact to lead and asbestos that may be encountered during construction. • Participate in meetings inclusive of the pre-construction meeting and on-site construction meetings with stakeholders to coordinate with other ongoing construction and projects. • Plan, schedule, and coordinate construction project activities to meet milestones and deadlines, working directly with stakeholders and contractors. • Perform internal design reviews of FAA designed engineering projects. • Monitor progress of projects and stakeholder needs. • Work independently to evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques and procedures, using judgement in making adaptations and modifications to Engineering designs. Basic Qualifications: • Must have a Civil or Structural Engineering degree from a 4 year ABET accredited College/University • At least 3 years of experience of foundation design as well as industrial structural systems (steel and concrete) is required with commercial, industrial and/or government facilities. • Must have current and relevant knowledge of building structural codes to be able to perform structural design calculations and conduct engineering assessments. • Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Engineering Scheduling tools and applications, and be able to use the Internet as a gathering and communicating tool. • Proficiency with AutoCAD / MicroStation. • Ability to effectively communicate in written and verbal form. • Ability to accomplish clear and concise general and technical writing and tactfully coordinate with a variety of project stake holders, peers, and management levels. • Ability to maintain an electronic project folder (as required) related to site preparation and equipment installation problems. • Must be able to obtain an FAA Public Trust prior to starting. To be eligible for the Public Trust Suitability you must be either a US Citizen or a Green Card Holder who has resided in the United States for the past 3 years. • New hires must pass a drug test prior to starting with Leidos. Desired Qualifications: • Knowledge of National Electric Code (NEC). • Knowledge of OSHA and general construction and electrical safety standards. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: July 15, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $73,450.00 - $132,775.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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