Pod lead - Civil and structural engineering

Position Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Civil or Structural Engineering specialist to oversee a team of trainers responsible for developing realistic, terminal-based technical exercises for Terminal Bench Science. Your role will involve meticulously reviewing each task created by your trainers to ensure engineering accuracy, reproducibility, and grader consistency. Furthermore, you will mentor trainers to maintain the delivery of high-caliber, technically sound tasks.

Reporting Line:

You will report directly to the Civil & Structural Engineering Team Lead and manage a team of approximately 5–10 trainers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive reviews of engineering tasks, including problem statements, structural and geotechnical models, load scenarios, simulation data, computational environments, reference solutions, and automated testing procedures.
• Authenticate tasks related to structural analysis, finite-element analysis (FEA), earthquake and wind engineering, structural dynamics, geotechnical modeling, hydraulics, hydrology, transportation, and infrastructure systems.
• Ensure tasks incorporate authentic multi-step engineering reasoning and mirror real-world civil and structural engineering workflows.
• Check for engineering correctness in units, equilibrium, boundary conditions, load combinations, adherence to design codes, numerical stability, convergence, and safety factors.
• Verify the accuracy of computational models, solver dependencies, and simulation outputs for reproducibility and technical validity.
• Review automated grading scripts to confirm they assess meaningful engineering metrics such as forces, deflections, drifts, settlements, safety factors, flow rates, and structural performance.
• Identify technical inaccuracies, unrealistic assumptions, improper tolerances, and potential shortcuts in engineering analysis.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to task developers and oversee revisions until completion.
• Mentor and support technical trainers, manage workload distribution, monitor quality and productivity, and resolve technical challenges.
• Uphold quality standards, maintain technical documentation, and implement best practices in engineering task development.

Candidate Requirements:

• Ph.D., postdoctoral experience, or equivalent advanced technical expertise in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related fields.
• Proficient programming skills in Python, C/C++, Julia, Fortran, or MATLAB/Octave, with experience working within Linux environments.
• Practical experience in at least one core area: structural analysis, FEA, earthquake engineering, geotechnical modeling, or hydraulic/hydrological modeling.
• Solid understanding of engineering principles, numerical methods, simulation workflows, and model validation techniques.
• Knowledge of engineering design standards such as ASCE 7, ACI, AISC, Eurocodes, or IS codes.
• Prior experience in reviewing complex technical work, engineering simulations, research outputs, or computational models.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to detect technical errors, edge cases, and flawed assumptions.
• Experience leading, reviewing, or mentoring small technical teams.
• Excellent written communication skills for providing precise technical feedback and documenting quality standards.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with engineering simulation tools such as OpenSees/OpenSeesPy, Code_Aster, CalculiX, FEniCS, Gmsh, PyNite, EPANET, SWMM, HEC-RAS, MODFLOW, SUMO, QGIS, or GDAL.
• Familiarity with commercial structural analysis software like SAP2000, ETABS, Abaqus, PLAXIS, or STAAD.Pro.
• Background in nonlinear time-history analysis, performance-based design, reliability assessment, or structural health monitoring.
• Experience with Docker, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automation testing frameworks.
• Knowledge of AI development, including engineering-focused coding agents, terminal-based systems, or Large Language Model (LLM) generated solutions.
• Professional engineering licensure such as PE, SE, CEng, or equivalent.
• Industry experience in designing and analyzing buildings, bridges, transportation systems, water infrastructure, or large-scale projects.
• Previous involvement in AI training initiatives, technical quality assurance, benchmarking, or evaluation programs.

Position Details:

• Work Commitment: Minimum of 4 hours daily, totaling at least 40 hours per week, with a 4-hour overlap with Pacific Standard Time (PST).
• Employment Type: Contract-based role (note: no medical benefits or paid leave included).
• Contract Duration: Four weeks, with an anticipated start date next week.