If you are looking for a career that combines the technical focus of engineering with the creativity of architecture, consider becoming a structural detailer. These professionals play an integral role in building projects of all types and serve as a crucial liaison between engineers and architects. Learn more about this career path, and decide if it’s one you’d like to be on.
Job Description
It is the job of structural detailers to draft complex plans outlining how structural elements will be fabricated and installed. They work off documents provided by both architects and engineers to create plans that professionals working on site will use to ensure that everything being built looks the way it should, and it as strong and sturdy as it needs to be. Structural detailers often work with steel, but it is not uncommon for them to draft plans for stone, mason, wood, and other common building materials.
Educational Requirements
While a bachelor’s degree is always preferred, it is often not required to find work as a structural detailer. Much more important is a relevant combination of experience and training. Any professional working in this field must have expertise with automated drafting software, and know the rules and regulations that affect how structures are built. Specialized training and certification programs are available, but these alone may not be enough to secure employment.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for structural detailers is not expected to rise or fall significantly in coming years. The field is expected to add 2,200 new jobs by 2022, a change of just one percent. Currently, the median pay is estimated to be $49,630 per year or $23.86 per hour. This may not be the fastest growing sector of the engineering industry, but all companies need quality drafters and detailers, and this is one of the few ways to get a start in engineering without completing a four-year degree.
Current Vacancy
A company located in Smyrna, GA is looking for a structural detailer with specific experience in structural steel and concrete. The chosen candidate must also have experience with commercial, institutional, and healthcare-style buildings, and a proven ability to accept leadership responsibilities. If you would like to learn more and apply, click here.
Without structural detailers, none of the world’s great building could have gotten off the ground. If you want to leave your mark on the skyline, this career path is a great way to get your start. Contact Selectek to find resources and guidance to help you throughout your career.
