James Pawlikowski, SE, LEED AP
Principal / Director of Engineering
Structural, MEP, Connection & Construction Engineering
James (Jim) is the Principal/Director of Engineering at REX Engineering Group, and leads all structural, MEP, and construction engineering services. Jim has an extensive amount of experience, leading and working on a wide variety of projects, having spent the previous 24 years at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Jim is a licensed structural engineer, and also holds a master's degree in architecture. This A/E background and experience has given Jim a unique insight and expertise in many components of the profession. Jim is proficient in many areas of structural engineering, but also understands the importance of building relationships on project teams – this translates to a focus on collaboration with the design and construction teams, with an emphasis on servicing his clients.
Jim is passionate about his work and his profession. He is involved in many levels of the profession, participating on and belonging to several local and national professional organizations and committees, including currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI). He also is active in academia, being a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Illinois, both in their Engineering and Architecture schools. Jim currently helps teach the senior level structural engineering systems course, and recently taught a graduate level class on the design of tall buildings.
Work Experience
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (Chicago, IL)
1996 – 2020 (24 years)
– Associate Director / Senior Structural Engineer
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
– Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies
– Masters of Architecture – Structures Option
Recommendations
"Jim Pawlikowski is one of the finest structural engineers I have ever worked with: his structural abilities exhibited in his designs and during field inspections are exceptional and include consideration to accommodate all the necessary architectural and MEP details. He is always helpful, understanding and timely with his work and with solutions to problems that arise during design and construction. He provides clear and useful direction to solve budget and coordination problems that arise during design as well as field problems due to issues that arise during construction. His communication is effective whether to the top managers or to the trade forces performing the work."
– Louis LeMieux of Related Midwest (Former Client)

Professional Licenses & Accreditations
Licensed Structural Engineer (SE) – IL
LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
City of Chicago Registered Structural Peer Reviewer
Professional Affiliations
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI)
– Board of Directors (2019 – 2022)
Structural Engineers Foundation
– Board Member (2007 – 2011)
– President (2011 – 2019)
SEAOI Structural Symposium Committee
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
– Voting Member of ACI Committee 216 – Fire Resistance & Fire Protection of Structures
– Associate Member of ACI Committee 303 – Architectural Cast-in-Place Concrete
Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings (CCHRB)
CTBUH Geotechnical Award Juror (2019 – 2020)
Market Expertise
– Commercial |
– Large Scale |
Academic Affiliations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Civil and Environmental Engineering External Advisory Committee
Tang Committee Member (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture Planning Committee)
University of Illinois at Chicago High-Bay Testing Facility External Advisory Committee
Frequent reviewer and lecturer:
– University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture
– University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Project Experience
Extensive project experience in the United States, Middle East, and Europe. Includes projects located in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, and Malaysia. Includes all phases of the project – from conceptual design through construction administration.