Electrical Engineer

Career-Collective; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and life insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

WAI is seeking a mid‑senior Lighting/Electrical Engineer to join our Germantown, MD team. You will develop innovative lighting designs and coordinate with architects and contractors to achieve design excellence within complex projects.

The role requires strong communication, proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit, and experience with lighting controls and power distribution. Join a forward‑looking firm committed to design integration and sustainable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, or related MS.
• Licensed or licensure in process preferred (EIT/PE).
• 5+ years in Architecture/Facilities industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop lighting and related control design solutions aligned with architecture.
• Present designs, alternatives, and narratives addressing visual comfort, CRI, and illumination quality.
• Coordinate with architects and construction teams to meet project needs.
• Prepare designs, specs, and cost estimates for lighting and power systems.
• Review submittals, respond to RFIs, attend progress meetings, and produce closeout documents.

Skills

Lighting design

Presentation to architects/clients

Collaboration across disciplines

Engineering analysis

Education

BAE / Arch Eng / BSEE / MSEE

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

SKM

AGi32

Job description

My client is a comprehensive mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, fire protection, and electrical consulting engineering firm providing high-end design services for architectural projects. With over three decades of experience, we execute a wide variety of project types spanning from specialized renovations to facilities in excess of 2 million square feet. Our portfolio includes government, healthcare, education (K-12 and higher ed), hospitality, mixed-use, and faith-based facilities. Our lighting projects include new and retrofit interior and exterior lighting designs for national and local monuments / memorials, museums, capitol buildings, historic buildings, houses of worship, and many more.

We are looking for more than just a technical lighting design engineer; WAI seeks engineers who have a passion for pursuing design excellence, utilizing technology in the design process, and producing award‑winning designs. Our goal is to integrate all of our MEP systems into the building design so they blend with themes and enhance the design aesthetics rather than overpowering them.

The Opportunity: Innovative Design & Professional Growth

My client has an immediate opening for a Mid‑Senior Lighting/Electrical Engineer to join our collaborative team. You will work out of our Germantown, MD office, specifically our recently renovated "Suite 100"—a technologically forward workspace environment designed to support collaboration and MEP design excellence.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing unique and innovative design solutions while coordinating intimately with architectural and construction partners.

In this role, you will:

• Innovate: Develop unique lighting and related lighting control design solutions that enhance architectural themes and meet functional needs. The ability to design lighting branch circuits is a plus.
• Present: Prepare proposed designs along with alternatives and present and explain the various aspects of the design. Articulate complex lighting concepts to architects and clients, seamlessly bridging the gap between engineering metrics and architectural intent. Present comprehensive design narratives that address visual comfort, color rendering (CRI), and illumination quality, explaining how these factors shape the human experience. Furthermore, you should be adept at discussing the practical lifecycle of the design, including energy efficiency, control strategies, maintainability, and service life, ensuring that innovative design solutions are understood as both an aesthetic and operational success.
• Collaborate: Coordinate actively with other disciplines and architects, ensuring systems meet the functional engineering needs of the project.
• Execute: Perform engineering assessments and investigations; prepare designs, specifications, and cost estimates for lighting and power systems.
• Manage Construction: Review submittals, respond to RFIs, attend construction progress meetings, and provide punch list and closeout documents.

Technical Focus: Building Lighting Systems

We require deep expertise in the design of complex building systems with a specific emphasis on illumination and related controls and power distribution. You will be responsible for the design and specification of:

• Lighting: Interior and exterior lighting design, fixture selections, photometric analysis, plans, details, schedules, and specifications.
• Lighting Power Distribution: Normal, emergency, and critical power systems.
• Lighting Controls: Sequences of operations, control diagrams, specifications.
• Sustainable Technologies: Lighting power density calculations and sustainable design strategies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor of Architectural Engineering (BAE), Bachelor in Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), or Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE).
• Licensure: EIT or PE License is preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of work experience within the Architecture/Facilities industry.
• Certification: Lighting Certified (LC) or similar certification is required. LEED accreditation is a plus.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required due to the nature of our government projects.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, including high proficiency in technical writing.
• Software Proficiency: Must be computer‑oriented with working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit. Familiarity with electrical/lighting applications such as SKM and AGi32 is required.
• Office Tools: Expertise with MS Word, Excel, and Google Suite.

Benefits & Culture

WAI offers an energetic, team‑oriented environment with a lifetime of potential growth.

• Compensation: Competitive salary and excellent benefits package.
• Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, life insurance, and a paid health club membership.
• Time Off: Paid time off and 9 paid holidays.
• Future Planning: Retirement plan.
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for LC, LEED, FE, and PE Exams, Professional Association memberships, and State Licensure Renewal.