Senior Plan Check Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Plan Check Engineer for a direct hire opportunity in Dana Point, CA. This role is ideal for an experienced Professional Engineer with strong structural plan review expertise, advanced building code knowledge, and the ability to support complex residential, commercial, industrial, and public-sector construction projects.

The Senior Plan Check Engineer will serve as a trusted technical resource for staff, applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and the public. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a stable, service-focused municipal environment with collaborative teams, supportive leadership, meaningful community impact, and the ability to influence safe, code-compliant development across a wide range of projects.

Key Responsibilities

- Review and approve construction plans, specifications, structural calculations, engineering reports, and related documents for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
- Interpret California Building Code, Title 24, accessibility, energy, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and local regulatory requirements.
- Identify plan deficiencies, prepare clear correction comments, and provide technical recommendations for corrective action.
- Collaborate with Building Officials, engineers, architects, contractors, developers, and internal departments on complex projects and code interpretation issues.
- Support permit counter operations, assist applicants with plan modifications, and maintain accurate permit and plan review records.
- Attend field meetings, help resolve construction-related issues, mentor staff, and recommend process improvements to improve service levels.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary range: $120,000 to $180,000 per year.
- Direct hire opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Perform advanced structural and building plan reviews for residential, commercial, industrial, and public works construction projects.
- Review structural calculations, engineering reports, architectural plans, engineering plans, and construction specifications.
- Provide expert code interpretation and technical guidance to internal teams, applicants, contractors, architects, and engineers.
- Support permitting, documentation, field coordination, and process improvement initiatives.

- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of professional engineering, structural plan review, or building plan check experience.
- Registered Professional Civil Engineer, PE, in California or ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months.
- ICC Plans Examiner Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months.
- Valid California Driver's License.
- Strong knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, ADA Accessibility Requirements, California Energy Regulations, National Electrical Code, and applicable mechanical and plumbing codes.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and permit processing software.
- Strong structural engineering calculations, code interpretation, technical writing, and documentation skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong customer service, problem-solving, collaboration, and independent judgment skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Municipal, city government, or public-sector plan review experience.
- Extensive experience performing structural plan reviews for complex construction projects.
- Experience coordinating with multiple departments, regulatory agencies, developers, design professionals, and contractors.
- Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to manage sensitive code interpretation issues professionally.
- Experience supporting large-scale development projects in a fast-paced permitting or building department environment.