About
We are seeking an experienced structural engineer to provide detailed structural design and analysis for a new custom single-family home in Spokane, Washington. The project involves a hybrid construction system: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for the below-grade foundation and basement walls, transitioning to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for above-grade exterior walls. The home features webbed floor trusses on the main and second floors, with bonus trusses in the attic and standard roof trusses. Specific materials include Stronghold ICF blocks (with adjustable and adaptable center webs for rebar placement and straight walls) and Premier SIPS panels. The design must account for local soil conditions, elevations, grades, and Spokane's seismic requirements (ASCE 7 standards, IBC compliance). Drafted architectural plans, site plan, and material specs are available for review upon selection.
This is a remote freelance gig, but the engineer must be familiar with Washington State building codes, energy codes (e.g., WSEC), and permitting processes. Preference for PE-licensed engineers in WA or those able to provide stamped drawings for submittal.
Required Qualifications
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Structural Engineering, preferably in Washington State or with experience in WA-specific codes.
Proven experience with ICF and SIPs assemblies, including load transfers between systems, connections, and integration with floor/roof trusses.
Familiarity with Stronghold ICF features (e.g., vertical locking webs, full-height plastic-to-plastic contact, built-in corner supports, no need for vertical ties or truss wire straighteners) and Premier SIPS panels (e.g., panel joints, spline connections, header details).
Proficiency in structural analysis software such as ETABS, SAP2000, RISA, or similar, and drafting in AutoCAD, Revit, or Bluebeam.
Understanding of webbed floor trusses (e.g., hanging from ICF walls via ledger beams or pockets in some areas, bearing directly on ICF top plates in others), bonus trusses for attic storage/live loads, and roof truss design.
Experience with seismic design in moderate-risk zones (Spokane's Site Class D or similar, based on site soil report), wind loads, snow loads (ground snow load ~50-60 psf per local amendments), and gravity loads.
Ability to collaborate with architects, contractors, and project managers to ensure constructible details.
Strong communication skills for providing clear, annotated drawings and calculations that field crews can follow without ambiguity.
Scope of Work
Review provided architectural drawings, site plan (including topography, grades, and elevations), geotechnical report (if available), and material catalogs (Stronghold ICF and Premier SIPS specs).
Perform detailed structural analysis, including:
Beam sizing, calculations, and details (e.g., headers over openings, point loads from trusses, ledger beams for truss hangers).
Load path verification from roof to foundation, with special attention to ICF-to-SIP transitions (e.g., top plate anchoring, sill plate details, hold-downs).
Floor truss integration: Specify hanger types (e.g., Simpson Strong-Tie or equivalent), bearing conditions, and any required blocking or bracing.
Interior framing plans: Call out load-bearing walls, shear walls, king/jack studs, and any steel moment frames if needed for openings.
Roof and attic truss design: Include uplift resistance, collar ties, and bonus truss spacing for attic loads.
Ensure all designs comply with IBC 2021 (or current edition), ASCE 7-16, and local Spokane amendments (e.g., snow drift provisions, frost depth ~36-42").
Detail elevations and grades for accurate site prep, including foundation stepping if slopes require it, drainage considerations around ICF walls, and backfill specs.
Provide redlines or markups on architectural plans for structural elements.
Address any potential issues like thermal bridging at ICF-SIP interfaces, moisture control, or rebar placement in ICF webs.
Iterate based on feedback from the project team (up to 2 revisions included).
Deliverables
Stamped structural calculations package (PDF), including beam schedules, truss calcs, and load summaries.
Annotated framing plans (floor, roof, sections) in PDF and editable format (e.g., DWG).
Detail sheets for key connections (e.g., truss-to-ICF hangers, SIP panel joints, ICF corner bracing).
3D model or sections if needed for complex areas (optional but preferred).
Written report on any design assumptions, recommendations for contractors (e.g., pour sequencing for ICF to minimize settling), and value engineering opportunities.
Timeline and Compensation
Project start: Immediate upon selection.
Completion: 4-6 weeks, depending on complexity (milestones: initial review 1 week, draft calcs/plans 2-3 weeks, finals 1 week).
Budget: $5,000 - $8,000 (fixed price, based on bids; include your estimate in proposal).
Payment: 30% upfront, 40% on draft delivery, 30% on finals and revisions.
How to Apply
Please submit your proposal with:
CV highlighting relevant ICF/SIPs projects.
Examples of past structural plans and calcs (redacted if needed).
Your availability and proposed fee.
Any questions about the project.
We're looking for a partner who can deliver precise, buildable guidance that aligns with contractor workflows—think clear callouts for Simpson hardware, rebar schedules, and pour tolerances. If you have experience with energy-efficient builds or net-zero goals, that's a plus.
Contract duration of 1 to 3 months.
Mandatory skills: Structural Engineering, Autodesk AutoCAD, Architectural Design, Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Information Modeling, Structural Detailing, Structural Calculation Sheet, Reinforced Concrete Structures
Languages
- English
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