Choosing the right engineering partner for delegated steel design is one of the most important decisions a fabricator, detailer, or erector can make. Whether you're dealing with connection design, stair packages, or other delegated components, the right team can streamline coordination, reduce RFIs, and improve constructibility from day one.
Here are a few key things to look for when selecting a delegated steel engineer for your next project.
Delegated design is not an entry-level task. You want a firm with engineers who have hands-on experience delivering successful delegated projects across a range of job types. Experience means they have seen what works, what does not, and how to navigate the gray areas where structural intent, fabrication, and erection methods all intersect.
Delegated design requires niche knowledge. Look for a firm that focuses specifically on steel connection design, stairs, rails, ladders, and other steel systems. These components have unique challenges that demand technical depth, not just a generalist approach. An engineering team that specializes in steel is more likely to deliver solutions that are efficient, code-compliant, and practical in the field.
The best results happen when the engineering team works with the fabricator, detailer, or erector rather than in isolation. Choose a firm that prioritizes collaboration and is willing to adapt designs to balance code, constructability, and real-world fabrication preferences. Delegated design is not just about calculations. It is about being a reliable project partner.
Having capable engineers is important, but they also need the right tools to deliver fast, accurate, and coordinated results. Look for a firm that uses modern, reliable software for both engineering and project collaboration.
For delegated steel design, this includes tools like MathCAD Prime, IDEA StatiCa, RAM Elements, RISAConnection, and Revit, among others. These platforms support everything from connection analysis to modeling and drawing production.
On the coordination side, your engineering team should be able to work smoothly with others on the project. At SSE, we integrate with platforms like Tekla, SDS/2, Trimble Connect, and Bluebeam to share models, review markups, and reduce back-and-forth during detailing.
The right tools help your team work smarter, avoid delays, and deliver designs that are aligned from the start.
Perhaps most importantly, you need a firm with licensed engineers who can legally and responsibly take ownership of the design. That includes being licensed not only in the state where the project is located but also in other regions where your team may work. If your business operates across state lines, choose an engineering partner that can support you without delay.
Southern Steel Engineers is licensed in 46 states, with a team that includes both Professional Engineers (PEs) and Structural Engineers (SEs). This broad coverage allows us to move quickly, meet project requirements, and help clients stay on schedule regardless of location.
Delegated steel design brings structure, fabrication, and coordination together in one scope. When you need a team that specializes in it, collaborates closely, and delivers quality work with the right licenses and tools, that is exactly where Southern Steel Engineers fits in.
