Field Engineer - Seismic Retrofit Solutions

Python Fasteners| California (San Francisco Bay Area OR Los Angeles/Orange County)

About Python Fasteners

Python Fasteners is a New Zealand-based structural engineering innovator specializing in masonry seismic retrofit and restoration solutions. Born from the Canterbury Earthquake Royal Commission following New Zealand's devastating 2010/2011 earthquakes, we've spent over a decade researching and developing mechanical fastening systems that outperform traditional epoxy anchorages.

Our mission: To help protect those who live and work in and around masonry buildings while preserving their heritage value for generations to come.

With proven performance in actual earthquake conditions and FernMark certification, Python Fasteners is now expanding across California's massive seismic retrofit market, targeting mandatory URM ordinances in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Oakland, and surrounding jurisdictions.

The Role

The Field Engineer is a hybrid technical and client-facing position that serves as the engineering voice of Python Fasteners in California. You'll act as a technical liaison with structural engineering firms, architects, contractors, and building officials—providing design support, technical education, and driving product specification that directly translates into market adoption and revenue growth.

This is not a desk job. You'll be the "trusted advisor" who changes how engineers think about masonry connections, moving them from outdated epoxy systems to next-generation mechanical solutions.

Location: This position will be based in either the San Francisco Bay Area OR Los Angeles/Orange County metro area, depending on candidate location and market priority.

Core Responsibilities

Technical Liaison & Specification Support

• Serve as the primary technical resource for key structural engineering firms (SEORs), architects, preservation consultants, and building officials across California

• Provide design assistance and specification guidance for Python MT, Python C, Python HC fixings, and Python Plates in seismic retrofit and new construction applications

• Help engineers navigate ASCE 41-17, IEBC Appendix A, and California Building Code Chapter A3 requirements specific to URM buildings and soft-story retrofits

• Review project-specific conditions and recommend optimal fastening solutions for masonry-to-timber, masonry-to-steel, and veneer connection applications

Technical Training & Education

• Develop and deliver technical presentations, lunch-and-learns, webinars, and CPE-eligible seminars to structural engineers, architects, and building departments

• Provide training on Python product installation, performance characteristics, and advantages over epoxy anchoring systems

• Answer complex engineering questions regarding anchorage design, seismic demand-capacity ratios, displacement compatibility, and substrate behavior in soft brick, concrete block, and stone masonry

• Support engineers in understanding ICC-ES evaluation report data and test results

• Evangelize the "mechanical vs. chemical" value proposition, particularly targeting engineers frustrated with epoxy reliability issues

Field Services & Technical Validation

• Conduct site-specific field services including pull-testing per ASTM E488, evaluation of misinstallations, and troubleshooting of performance or constructability issues

• Perform building assessments and condition surveys for URM structures, parapets, and soft-story buildings

• Demonstrate Python installation procedures on active job sites to contractors and inspectors

• Provide post-earthquake reconnaissance support and document product performance in seismic events

• Visit project sites verify substrate conditions and installation quality

Sales Collaboration & Market Development

• Partner with the sales team to identify specification opportunities within California's mandatory retrofit programs (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland URM ordinances and soft-story programs; California Earthquake Authority grants; Earthquake Brace + Bolt program)

• Align technical solutions with commercial initiatives to secure commitments from engineers to specify Python Fastners's products on projects

• Track specification wins and provide feedback on competitor activity (Simpson Strong-Tie, Hilti, Powers Fasteners)

• Identify early-stage adaptive reuse, mass timber, and heritage preservation projects where Python Fastners's reversible, minimally invasive approach provides competitive advantage

• Feed product performance insights, code interpretation questions, and market intelligence back to Python’s R&D and marketing teams

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master's preferred)

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification in California OR PE license from any state

• 3-7 years of experience in structural engineering, with specific focus on: seismic retrofit and existing building evaluation; masonry structures (URM, CMU, stone); wood, cold-formed steel, concrete, and anchorage design; ASCE 41 (Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings)

• Knowledge of California Building Code, IEBC Appendix A, and local URM/soft-story ordinances

• Understanding of anchor behavior, fastener mechanics, and connection design in seismic applications

• Must be based in or willing to relocate to San Francisco Bay Area OR Los Angeles/Orange County area

Preferred Experience

• Background in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, or forensic engineering

• Familiarity with post-earthquake building assessment (ATC-20, SAP)

• Experience with mass timber (CLT) and hybrid timber-masonry structures

• Previous exposure to Simpson Strong-Tie, Hilti, or other structural fastening systems

• Involvement with SEA (Structural Engineers Association) committees, particularly Existing Buildings committees

• Prior teaching, training, or technical presentation experience

• Exposure to ICC-ES certification processes and product testing protocols

• Specific knowledge of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, or Oakland mandatory retrofit ordinances

Essential Skills & Attributes

• Technical Evangelism: Ability to teach complex engineering concepts and challenge industry conventions with data-driven arguments

• Challenger Mindset: Confidence to position innovative solutions as superior to established competitors

• Communication Excellence: Strong written and verbal presentation skills; comfort speaking to groups ranging from building officials to engineering principals

• Field Resilience: Willing to work on active construction sites in dusty, physically demanding environments—this is not a purely office-based role

• Independent Territory Management: Ability to work autonomously, prioritize opportunities, and manage California territory

• Collaborative Spirit: Team player who can bridge technical and commercial functions

What Makes This Role Different

Unlike a traditional consulting engineer who designs one building at a time, you'll change the methodology for how thousands of buildings are made safer. You'll work directly with a world-class technical team with deep forensic and earthquake engineering expertise; lead the adoption of next-generation mechanical resilience technology validated in real seismic events; have autonomy as the technical voice of the brand in California's massive retrofit market, not just another cog in a design firm; and make real impact at scale—your work directly protects lives and preserves architectural heritage.

Territory & Work Environment

• Base Location: San Francisco Bay Area OR Los Angeles/Orange County metro area

• Territory Coverage: Statewide California with concentration in Bay Area (SF, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose) and Southern California (LA, Orange County, San Diego)

• Travel Requirements: 40-60% travel within California; occasional national conferences and trade shows

• Work Style: Hybrid—mix of home office, client meetings, job site visits, and occasional collaboration with U.S. leadership

• Physical Demands: Ability to access construction sites, climb ladders, work in confined spaces, and conduct field inspections

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and California market rates

• Comprehensive benefits package competitive with U.S. engineering industry standards

• Professional development support (continuing education, conference attendance, support for PE licensure path)

• Opportunity to work with international team and gain exposure to global earthquake engineering expertise

• Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates moving to Bay Area or Los Angeles metro areas

Why Python Fasteners?

✅ Innovative Technology – Work with cutting-edge fastening systems proven superior to traditional methods

✅ Mission-Driven – Protect lives and preserve heritage buildings

✅ Growing Market – California's mandatory retrofit ordinances and government incentive programs ($3,000-$13,000 CEA grants; EBB program) create massive opportunity

✅ International Expertise – NZ-based company with unmatched real-world earthquake validation

✅ Competitive Edge – 67% cost savings and faster installation = compelling value proposition

✅ Real Impact – Products directly prevent earthquake damage and save lives

Ideal Candidate Background

We're targeting engineers from: Bay Area and Los Angeles boutique structural engineering firms specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, or seismic retrofit; forensic engineering firms (engineers who have investigated anchor/connection failures); engineers active in post-earthquake reconnaissance (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute members); SEAONC and SEAOSC Existing Buildings committee members; consulting engineers working on California mass timber adaptive reuse projects; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, or Oakland building department structural reviewers looking for private sector opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity to be the "Resilience Engineer"—someone who understands that in a seismic zone, a fastener isn't just hardware, it's the difference between a building that shelters occupants and one that traps them. If you're a technically excellent engineer who wants to move from designing individual buildings to changing industry methodology at scale, this role offers that rare combination of technical depth, commercial impact, and mission-driven work.