Lead Plumbing Engineer - Buildings

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Plumbing Engineer for our Irvine, CA office. Be involved in projects with our Property & Buildings team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.

This position is ideal for an experienced plumbing engineer who can serve as a technical lead and trusted project resource across a diverse portfolio of building projects. The selected candidate will lead plumbing design efforts, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, mentor developing engineers and designers, and work directly with clients and project stakeholders.

Our Irvine team supports a broad mix of projects, including commercial, higher education, civic, hospitality, residential, mixed-use, science & technology, and other general building types.

Your Impact

• Serve as a Lead Plumbing Engineer on multidisciplinary Property & Buildings projects, providing technical leadership from initial concept through construction.
• Lead the planning, design, and documentation of domestic water, sanitary waste and vent, storm drainage, natural gas, specialty piping, and related plumbing systems.
• Develop and oversee engineering calculations, system layouts, equipment selections, specifications, technical reports, and construction documents.
• Lead project plumbing design efforts through concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, and construction administration.
• Establish plumbing design criteria and recommend appropriate systems based on project requirements, sustainability goals, constructability, lifecycle considerations, and client objectives.
• Coordinate plumbing systems with architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, civil, and other disciplines.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for plumbing-related matters with clients, architects, contractors, consultants, and internal project teams.
• Lead plumbing discipline coordination and participate in multidisciplinary design and project meetings.
• Perform and oversee QA/QC reviews of calculations, drawings, specifications, reports, and other technical deliverables.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to engineers, designers, and BIM staff.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff and support their technical and professional development.
• Delegate assignments and review work for completeness, accuracy, code compliance, constructability, and adherence to WSP standards.
• Conduct and oversee field investigations, existing-condition assessments, and site observations.
• Lead plumbing construction administration activities, including review of submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, field conditions, and contractor questions.
• Work with project managers to develop and manage scope, schedule, staffing, budgets, and discipline deliverables.
• Support engineering fee development, project work plans, staffing forecasts, and resource planning.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and coordinate engineering resources to achieve project milestones.
• Participate in client presentations, project pursuits, proposals, interviews, and other business development activities.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, architects, contractors, and industry partners.
• Identify additional opportunities to support existing clients and help grow WSP’s Property & Buildings practice in Southern California.
• Remain current with plumbing codes, sustainable design practices, water conservation strategies, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 7–10 years of relevant post-education experience in plumbing engineering and building systems design.
• Demonstrated experience leading the plumbing design and delivery of commercial, institutional, or other general building projects.
• Advanced knowledge of plumbing engineering principles, system design, calculations, equipment selection, and construction practices.
• Strong working knowledge of the California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Building Code (CBC), applicable local codes, and relevant industry standards.
• Experience leading projects through concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Ability to independently develop and review engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, reports, and other technical documentation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating plumbing systems within multidisciplinary architecture and engineering teams.
• Experience providing technical direction and reviewing the work of engineers and designers.
• Experience performing discipline-level QA/QC reviews.
• Experience supporting project management activities, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and technical deliverables.
• Experience communicating directly with clients, architects, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD, with working knowledge of Bluebeam and related building design tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop practical and cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• California Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain California licensure through reciprocity.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) credential.
• LEED AP, WELL AP, or another relevant sustainability accreditation.
• 10+ years of plumbing engineering experience within the AEC/buildings industry.
• Experience leading plumbing design across multiple markets, including commercial, higher education, civic, hospitality, residential, mixed-use, and science & technology.
• Experience with sustainable plumbing systems, water conservation, water reuse, and high-performance building strategies.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the plumbing technical lead on complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience mentoring engineers and designers and helping develop technical capabilities within a team.
• Experience supporting proposals, fee development, client presentations, and project pursuits.
• Existing client and industry relationships within Southern California.

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.  

Compensation: 

Expected Salary (all locations): $122,700 - $182,200 

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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