Lead Structural Engineer (Buildings)

Job-ID: 93020Category: EngineeringLocation: San Diego, CA, United States; Irvine, CA, United StatesPosted: 2026-08-11This OpportunityWSP is seeking a Lead Structural Engineer to join their dynamic Property & Buildings team in San Diego, CA and Irvine, CA.Our team is a leading provider of structural design consulting services for complex building projects in multiple sectors including healthcare, science/ technology, higher education, K-12, civic, mission critical, commercial construction and public safety. This position provides high level technical assistance and guidance for investigation, remediation, improvement, design and construction of building projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, concept development, planning, design and construction of building structures with emphasis on buildings in Seismic Design Category D. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets industry standards for design, safety, structural soundness, and functionality. Ensures high-quality deliverables are produced and distributed on time and in compliance with project-specific construction codes. Demonstrates leadership qualities and a passion for growing within the structural engineering profession. Manages and mentors other engineers in a team-oriented environment.Your ImpactApply high-level structural engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various building project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, and construction.Perform professional structural engineering work and conduct research and observations of proposed and existing site conditions, resources, buildings and infrastructure, to determine conformance with applicable codes and standards.Develop and supervise the development of construction drawings, calculation packages and specifications; updating layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design, construction, rehabilitation, and remediation of building projects, ensuring durability of materials and structural soundness from loads and pressures caused by environmental or human influence.Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, architects, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of labor, technical calculations, construction administration, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.Coordinate, review and issue building design plans, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and 2D/3D illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of complex data, findings, or analyses.Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address structural, design, and/or construction issues or opportunities. Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during site investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional mannerProactively collaborate with other engineers, professionals, and building authorities on Federal, State, regional, local, and privately funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities. Remain current in latest structural 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 AreRequired QualificationsBachelor’s Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, or closely related discipline.California Structural Engineer SE License or the ability to obtain an SE license within one (1) year.7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in structural design, detailing renovation and/ or seismic strengthening of steel, concrete, masonry and wood/ mass timber buildings in the following markets: Healthcare, Higher Education, Civic, Science and Technology, Lab Sciences, Federal, Commercial and/ or Residential, or closely related markets. Proficiency in lateral force-resisting system design, detailing, and with the California Building Code and/ or the International Building Code.Proficient with structural engineering principles, practices, processes, and their application to project work-related issues. Knowledge and experience with building structural planning, design, and construction administration, including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.Well-defined knowledge of relevant structural codes, regulations and compliance practices.Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations. Project management experience with mid-level to large projects including tracking hours and expenses for project work.Ability to plan and conduct observations and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of buildings, facilities, or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, structural software (such as ETABS, PERFORM 3D, RISA, RAM Structures, RAM Concept, CSI Safe, etc), Building Information Modeling (BIM), math principles, physics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and other technology tools.Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solutions.Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and Drug/alcohol and harassment policies.Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.Preferred Qualifications:Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering.New design of healthcare facilities and/ or seismic rehabilitation of existing hospitals, in California.Experience utilizing advanced analysis and performance-based design national standards for the design of tall buildings and/ or the retrofit of existing structures.Experience designing buildings with passive energy dissipation.Active participation in national technical or non-technical committees or boards.WSP Benefits: WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on 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): $140,000-$180,000WSP 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.#LI-GA1 About the companyAbout WSPWSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.