Tekla Structures Modeler

Job Summary

The Tekla Structures Modeler develops highly detailed 3D structural BIM models from engineering drawings, focusing exclusively on concrete, masonry, and reinforcing elements. Core responsibilities include modeling custom foundations, grade beams, and intricate CMU wall layouts, embedding rebar placement logic, and generating automated material quantity takeoffs for block counts, concrete volumes, and grout cell-fills to drive the preconstruction estimating workflow.

Foundational Software & Structural Detailing Prerequisites

• Software Specialization: Proven, highly proficient hands-on experience using Tekla Structures is an absolute requirement for this role.
• Portfolio Verification: Strong, verifiable project history using specialized CMU and masonry modeling modules within Tekla (a portfolio or sample model screenshots must be submitted during application).
• Residential Concrete Literacy: A solid, practical understanding of residential structural concrete construction methods, focusing on multi-story monolithic or strip foundation designs.
• Blueprint Translation: Exceptional ability to interpret complex structural engineering drawings, architectural specifications, and foundation layouts, converting them into error-free, constructible 3D elements.
• Takeoff Engineering: Prior experience extracting automated material quantity takeoffs (QTOs) and bill of materials (BOM) directly out of BIM software environments.
• Rebar Detailing Acumen: A strong understanding of reinforcing steel detailing, concrete cover requirements, lap splice rules, and concrete modeling best practices.
• Independent Discipline: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision, balancing modeling speed with extreme attention to detail to hit strict project deadlines.
• Time Management: Strong organizational habits, comfortable managing active modeling files across various stages of preconstruction revision.

Preferred Qualifications & Multipliers

• Structural Customization: Past experience modeling high-end custom residential concrete or masonry structures rather than purely commercial or industrial builds.
• Estimating Collaboration: Direct experience working alongside or supporting professional construction estimating or preconstruction planning teams.
• Educational Foundation: A professional background or formal training in structural engineering, architectural drafting, construction technology, or a related VDC engineering discipline.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advanced 3D Structural BIM Modeling

• Build 3D structural elements inside Tekla Structures, focusing strictly on concrete, masonry, and rebar components.
• Detail foundational assemblies, including continuous footings, isolated foundations, grade beams, and cast-in-place or precast concrete elements.
• Model complete CMU (concrete masonry unit) wall systems, ensuring exact block courses, corner intersections, and openings are structurally represented.
• Embed precise reinforcing steel (rebar) schedules, layout configurations, stirrups, and dowels directly into the structural model.

2. Automated Material Quantity Takeoff (QTO) Generation

• Extract highly accurate material quantities directly from the finalized Tekla model, removing the need for manual off-model calculations.
• Generate exact product data counts for CMU blocks, total linear footage and tonnage of reinforcing steel, and total concrete volumes.
• Produce precise calculations for secondary masonry components, including structural mortar, cell-fill grout, and bond-beam concrete mixes.

3. Engineering Analysis & Drawing Interpretation

• Review incoming structural engineering construction packages, proactively identifying design conflicts, missing dimensions, or structural gaps.
• Translate complex structural design details into constructible, clear 3D forms that reflect actual physical job site rules.
• Maintain strict alignment with company modeling standards, naming conventions, layering formats, and detailing practices.

4. Lifecycle Collaboration & Project Delivery

• Work closely with project managers and estimating leaders to incorporate revisions, engineering changes, and architectural adjustments into the active models.
• Track modeling hours carefully, meeting targeted project deadlines across simple, medium, and highly complex custom residential layouts.
• Suggest ongoing improvements to modeling templates and internal workflows to increase production speed across the department.

Scope of Work & Modeling Velocity Targets

• Modeling Boundaries: Structural modeling only. The scope is strictly limited to concrete, masonry, and rebar structures. It completely excludes architectural features, finish details, wood framing, and structural steel framing.
• Project Scale Range: Custom, high-end residential estates ranging from approximately 4,000 sq. ft. to 25,000 sq. ft.
• Building Profile: High-value, storm-resilient one-to-three-story concrete waterfront homes.
• Target Modeling Speeds:
  • Simple Project Blueprints: ~10 billable hours
  • Medium Complexity Structural Layouts: ~20 billable hours
  • Highly Complex, Multi-Level Configurations: ~30 billable hours

Core Competencies & Technical Skills

• Tekla Structures Fluency: Complete mastery of the Tekla environment, with deep knowledge of component catalogs, custom components, modeling macros, and filtering tools.
• Constructibility Mindset: The ability to visualize the physical construction process, ensuring that what is modeled in 3D can be realistically poured, laid, and tied on the physical job site.
• High-Precision Data Focus: A meticulous approach to modeling that treats a minor structural mismatch or incorrect rebar length as a critical error to be solved before export.
• Rapid Volumetric Quantification: Deep familiarity with how Tekla calculates volumes, surfaces, and piece counts, ensuring reports are formatted properly for estimating software.
• Asynchronous Communication: Strong technical writing habits, with the ability to explain structural questions or drawing conflicts clearly using annotations or screen captures.

Expected Outputs & Deliverables

• Complete, constructible Tekla Structures model files (.db1 and associated environment directories) that pass all internal checks.
• Clean, unedited automated reports detailing exact CMU block counts, rebar schedules, and concrete or grout volumes.
• Annotated model notes detailing any structural drawing discrepancies discovered during the layout process.
• Regularly updated project models synced smoothly to our shared cloud repository according to project timelines.

Skills Required:

• Civil / Engineering / Cotm