Jiarong Zhang

Lead Structural Engineer

Chicago, Illinois, United States

About

I'm a structural bridge engineer with experience in the design and rehabilitation of bridges, and affiliated structural and civil systems. My responsibilities include all aspects of bridge design including superstructures, substructures, foundations and retaining walls. Project experience includes highway bridges, and railroad bridges. Other areas of my work include contract drawing production, contract specification writing, computer analysis/modeling and quantity computation.

Experience

  • Lead Bridge Engineer at TYLin
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Lead Structural Engineer at GSG Consultants, Inc.
    Nov 2020 - Mar 2025 · 4 yrs 5 mos

    At GSG Consultants, I oversee all structural projects as the Structural Engineering Program Manager. I manage a team of four structural designers and lead structural efforts for the Illinois Tollway GEC, including bridge load rating, overweight permit analysis, and plan reviews. I also serve as a bridge inspection team leader for CBIT, Cook County, and Metra, and I am part of the Metra PMO, responsible for station plan reviews. My role involves technical leadership, project management, and mentoring junior engineers.

  • Lead Bridge Engineer at WSP USA
    Jun 2014 - Nov 2020 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    At WSP, I served as a Lead Bridge Engineer, specializing in the design, rehabilitation, and load rating of complex bridge structures, including movable and long-span bridges. I was involved in high-profile projects such as the SR 30 Pensacola Bay Bridge, where I led structural steel design, and multiple bascule bridge rehabilitations, including the Grosse Ile Parkway Swing Bridge. My responsibilities included developing erection sequences, performing lateral analysis, and preparing steel design calculations. Additionally, I conducted load rating and structural assessments for various Illinois Tollway and IDOT bridges, ensuring compliance with AASHTO and agency standards.

  • Bridge Engineer at URS Corporation
    Jan 2010 - May 2014 · 4 yrs 5 mos

    At URS Corporation, I worked as a Structural Designer, specializing in bridge design, rehabilitation, and load rating. I played a key role in the design and structural analysis of complex bridge projects, including bascule and movable bridges. Notable projects include the Indiana Harbor Canal Railroad Bascule Bridge, where I developed plans, performed bridge balancing, and conducted load rating analysis. I was also involved in the 17th Street Bascule Bridge replacement, overseeing structural calculations and fabrication reviews. My experience at URS included working on large-scale infrastructure projects for IDOT, WisDOT, and the Illinois Tollway, where I developed PS&E packages and ensured compliance with AASHTO and agency standards.

  • Structural Engineer at Delta Engineering
    Oct 2009 - Jan 2010 · 4 mos