Lead Electrical Engineer - Buildings

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Electrical Engineer to join our Property & Buildings team in California. This position may be based out of any WSP office in California. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Electrical Engineer who brings a strong combination of technical leadership, client engagement, and business development experience to help grow our Property & Buildings practice.

This role will actively participate in the full project lifecycle, with a focus on complex building sector projects such as K‑12 education, community colleges, higher education, civic and municipal facilities, and industrial, commercial or institutional developments. The successful candidate will support projects from conceptual design through construction close‑out, while partnering closely with clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders.

We are a global leader in the practice of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering and related specialty services for the built environment. Our work is embedded in the places where we live, learn, work, and gather. At WSP, we are driven by inspiring the right people to be part of our future‑focused business objectives, and our devotion to collaboration has allowed us to build communities and expand skylines around the world.

Here at WSP, anything is within our reach — and yours as a WSP employee.
Come join us and help shape the future.

Your Impact

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to physical work site, blueprints, GIS data maps, substation components, equipment specifications for procurement package development and pricing, IFR/IRC detailed design and review processes, and IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NCEC, and NERC standards and regulations for design work.    
• Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller and less-complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Apply high-level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of single line, three line, wiring diagrams, general arrangement, substation layout and bus arrangement, grounding grid design and lightning protection in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements with equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC panel design, and conduit and trenching design strategies that account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one-line diagram development, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and updating electrical infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, site development, grading, drainage, equipment layout, elevations, specifications, building materials, phasing, and construction safety plans.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities. 
• Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements in alignment with Pickett’s standards.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities. 
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and 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 Electrical or Architectural Engineering.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer 
• Extensive knowledge of electrical design for building projects, particularly within education and institutional, industrial or commercial sectors, including experience with DSA‑regulated projects.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues. 
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new design.
• Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
• Moderate proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• California PE 
• Experience on Higher Education related projects is preferred

WSP Benefits:  

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): $118,000 - $175,230

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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