Project Director

Project Director

Los Angeles, California, United States

Do you want to help engineer what's next?

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for our clients' most complex challenges. We leverage our collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in offices nationwide, SGH's industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what's possible.

What makes careers at SGH so special?

The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.

There are many reasons to love SGH:

• Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
• Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
• Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
• Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.

We want someone passionate about engineering, architecture, problem solving, and people management.

We are seeking a Project Director who is passionate about technical excellence, people leadership, and trusted client relationships. The Project Director role represents a senior leadership position within SGH. The work of the Project Director will include new design and the evaluation, investigation, and design of repairs for existing buildings. This individual will independently direct many concurrent projects and manage key client relationships while mentoring staff and upholding SGH's technical, ethical, and quality standards with oversight from the Principal-in-Charge. This person must maintain professional relationships and involvement (associations, committees, etc.) in their field of technical expertise.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and direct complex, high-profile projects involving new design and the evaluation, investigation, and repair of existing buildings, with delegated authority from the Principal-in-Charge.
• Serve as a primary client contact on major projects, representing SGH professionally and effectively while managing scope, schedule, staffing, and delivery.
• Provide technical leadership in the investigation and remediation of building envelope malfunctions and failures.
• Direct and oversee design and construction-phase services, including consultation to engineers, architects, contractors and construction administration support.
• Oversee and guide field investigations, water leakage testing, and component sampling of building envelope systems, including walls, roofs, windows, curtain walls, skylights, plaza waterproofing, and below-grade systems.
• Lead the design of remedial repairs to existing building systems, ensuring constructability, durability, and risk-informed decision-making.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development support to staff across multiple projects, reinforcing SGH's technical standards and collaborative culture.
• Perform peer reviews of plans, specifications, and technical deliverables to ensure quality and consistency.
• Support litigation, claims, and expert services efforts by providing senior technical insight and professional judgment.
• Demonstrate strong risk-management judgment related to technical approach, documentation, scope definition, and client communication, in coordination with the Principal-in-Charge.
• Assist principals with business development efforts by helping to win repeat work through excellent service delivery, long-term client relationship management, and identification of additional client needs aligned with SGH's services.
• Maintain an active professional presence through industry involvement (associations, committees, speaking engagements, or publications) that enhances SGH's reputation and visibility.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Architectural Engineering (advanced degree preferred) with 15+ years of experience in an architectural/engineering or construction management environment.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (RA) required.
• Experience in any of the following areas: building façade and curtain wall design or consulting, historic preservation consulting, and building envelope roofing/waterproofing design or consulting.
• Demonstrated multi-year experience independently directing complex projects with limited oversight and acting as a primary client contact.
• Strong technical judgment, risk awareness, and decision-making capability aligned with SGH's standards.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff across multiple projects and teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with technical documentation, analysis tools, and presentation graphics.

Benefits Overview: SGH provides the following benefits to eligible employees: Paid Time Off (Vacation time, Sick leave, Holidays) Paid Parental Leave Profit Sharing and 401(k) plan with a discretionary company contribution Health Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision) Short and Long-Term Disability (company paid) Employee Basic Life and AD&D insurance (company paid) Optional Life Insurance Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts Fertility, Family Forming, and Hormonal Health benefit Employee Assistance Program Empathy Bereavement Support Pre-tax Commuter Benefit AFLAC Accident & Cancer Insurance Legal & Identity Theft plans Tuition Reimbursement Compensation: The below range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including the candidate's experience, qualifications and work location. Base salary is a part of SGH's industry leading Total Compensation package. Our Total Compensation package includes base salary, pay for extra hours worked, an annual discretionary bonus program, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits with a special emphasis on substantial SGH contributions to medical insurance premiums and SGH's Profit Sharing & 401(k) Plan.

Project Director/Technical Director:

$176,800 - $205,920 USD

SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io and ask for Human Resources.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: SGH does not accept unsolicited agency resumes or candidate profiles. Please do not forward resumes or profiles for any of our job postings to our career site or to any Simpson Gumpertz & Heger employee. SGH is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.