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Structural Design Engineer (Civil/Truss)

Illinois Tool Works · Work At Home, WI · $70,000–$100,000 a year · Full time

Posted Jun 10, 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

In a fast production environment, how do you keep your accuracy high when you have many designs in the queue?

What they are checking: Whether they have habits that catch errors when speed is expected.

Tell me about a design you got wrong or nearly got wrong. How did you catch it?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about errors and have built checks to catch them.

This role is remote. How do you ask for help or a second opinion when you need one?

What they are checking: Whether they reach out appropriately instead of guessing alone on a complex design.

Why does truss and building component engineering interest you?

What they are checking: Whether they want this production-oriented engineering work rather than seeing it as a stopgap.

What would you do

How do you balance using less material with making sure a design is safe and easy to build?

What they are checking: Whether they optimize designs without cutting into safety margins or creating manufacturing problems.

A truss manufacturer calls because a design will not fit their equipment or setup. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they work with the customer on a practical fix that still meets engineering requirements.

About the work

Walk me through how you design a wood roof truss, from loads to member sizing to connector plates.

What they are checking: Whether they understand truss design fundamentals well enough to produce safe, efficient designs.

What design codes and standards apply to metal plate connected wood trusses?

What they are checking: Whether they know the governing standards, such as ANSI/TPI 1, and how building codes reference them.

How would you handle a request for a design with unusual loads, like a heavy rooftop unit or a snow drift area?

What they are checking: Whether they can account for special loading conditions instead of applying a standard template.

What design software have you used, and how do you check results you get from software?

What they are checking: Whether they verify software output with engineering judgment rather than trusting it blindly.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Illinois Tool Works.

Job Description: Company Description: Alpine, an ITW company, is a leading provider of building component software, equipment, and the industry’s best service to component manufacturers.  Partnering with our customers, we help to improve their businesses and make them more productive.  We are a leader in delivering software solutions to the construction industry to increase profitability. ITW offers its employees a path for advancement, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to help employees care for themselves, their families, and their futures. Why This Role Matters: This Structural Design Engineer role is essential because it sits at the intersection of engineering precision, construction efficiency, and customer success—directly impacting how safely and effectively buildings are designed and constructed. As a Structural Design Engineer at Alpine, you help translate complex engineering principles into practical, buildable solutions that optimize material use, improve productivity, and ensure structural integrity. By designing and analyzing engineered wood components like trusses within a fast-paced, production-oriented environment, the role enables quicker project turnaround without sacrificing quality or safety. It also supports innovation and standardization across the company, helping customers become more profitable while maintaining compliance with building codes. Ultimately, this position plays a critical role in delivering reliable structures, advancing industry practices, and strengthening partnerships with customers through technical expertise and responsive engineering support. What You Will Do: • Perform structural design and analysis of engineered wood components, including calculating loads, member forces, and connection requirements • Apply sound engineering judgment to develop safe, efficient solutions for standard and moderately complex design scenarios • Review and refine work completed by designers and technicians to ensure accuracy, completeness, and code compliance • Collaborate with senior engineers to resolve complex design challenges and contribute to final design approvals • Provide technical guidance and support to internal teams and customers regarding structural behavior and design assumptions • Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and documentation while ensuring timely, high-quality project delivery What You Will Bring: • Active Professional Engineer (PE) license (any U.S. state), OR Engineer-in-Training (EIT) with eligibility and intent to obtain PE licensure within a defined timeframe • Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, or related engineering discipline with coursework or experience in statics, structural analysis, and strength of materials • Strong understanding of structural behavior, load paths, and fundamental engineering principles • Ability to interpret construction documents and translate them into structural design solutions • Ability to travel to office locations as needed. Preferred Experience • Experience with structural design, component systems, or load-bearing assemblies • Familiarity with light-frame wood design or similar structural systems • Familiarity with building codes (IBC/IRC) and structural design standards • Experience working in a fast-paced or production-oriented engineering environment What’s In It For You: At Alpine, you’ll make a meaningful impact by supporting work that strengthens communities and delivers real value to customers across North America. You’ll be part of a collaborative, high-performing environment where your contributions are recognized, your ideas help shape decisions, and your work has visible outcomes. Alpine is committed to your growth, offering opportunities to build new skills, take on leadership roles, and advance your career. With a strong focus on innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement, Alpine empowers you to solve real challenges, influence how work gets done, and build a rewarding career with purpose. Compensation Information: $70,000 - $100,000 (high level of experience) This compensation range is provided as a reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this role. Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, market level, other job-related factors, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law. In addition, our benefits include paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental leave. For more details, visit our Benefits page . ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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