Senior Blast Project Engineer

We are seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join the Protective Design & Security Practice at Thornton Tomasetti, supporting projects that protect people and assets from security threats in the built environment. This role blends engineering analysis, consulting, and collaboration, working alongside structural engineers, architects, and security specialists to assess risks and develop practical, high-performance protective design strategies for new and existing facilities.

You will lead and contribute to blast, ballistics, and forced-entry hardening efforts across a wide range of project types - transit, education, commercial, and critical infrastructure - translating advanced technical analyses into clear, implementable solutions. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of technical workstreams, engage directly with clients, and mentor junior staff while helping grow and refine the firm's protective design capabilities.

- Provide protective design and physical security consulting for new and existing facilities, including blast design, site layout, vehicle barriers, and building hardening strategies.

- Perform blast loading, structural response, and nonlinear dynamic analyses using SDOF/MDOF, finite element, and commercial structural software.

- Develop and document design solutions through drawings, models, specifications, and technical reports.

- Conduct vulnerability assessments, peer reviews, and security studies of existing facilities.

- Coordinate with clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and security vendors to align requirements, schedules, and deliverables.

- Support project planning activities including scopes, budgets, proposals, and construction-phase reviews (submittals, RFIs, shop drawings).

- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal tools, best practices, and knowledge-sharing across the team.

- Build client relationships and support repeat and new business opportunities within protective design.

- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering (graduate study in structural dynamics or related field preferred).

- 6+ years of experience in blast engineering, protective design, or facility hardening projects.

- Strong knowledge of structural dynamics and nonlinear behavior under blast, impact, and shock loading.

- Experience applying advanced analysis methods and clearly communicating technical findings to diverse stakeholders.

- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams and clients.

- Proficiency with blast/FEA and structural analysis software (e.g., SAP2000, ETABS, ANSYS, LS-DYNA) and standard documentation tools.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills; self-directed, team-oriented, and adaptable.

- Familiarity with U.S. government security standards and BIM workflows (e.g., Revit) preferred.

Compensation The rate for this position generally is $115,000 - $135,000 annually. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by District of Columbia Equal Pay Transparency Law.

Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee's pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.