Lead Electrical Engineer - Buildings

WSP; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off and parental leave

Sick leave and bereavement

Job summary

WSP in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to join our Property & Buildings team, delivering electrical design for tenant improvements, renovations, and new construction across commercial and institutional projects.

The role provides technical leadership, project management, and client engagement, coordinating with architects, interior designers, and engineers while mentoring junior staff and upholding NEC/NFPA standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• 7+ years of post-education experience in electrical design for commercial/corporate/educational or similar projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Proven experience leading electrical engineering design for tenant improvements, renovations, and interior fit-out projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, NFPA, IBC, IECC and related codes and standards.
• Proficiency in electrical power distribution, emergency power systems, lighting, lighting controls, fire alarm systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design efforts for tenant improvement, renovation, adaptive reuse, and new construction projects.
• Design electrical distribution, lighting, controls, emergency power, fire alarm, and low-voltage systems.
• Provide technical guidance and quality oversight for deliverables.
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers, and other engineers.
• Prepare and review construction documents including plans, specs, calculations, and reports.
• Perform load calculations, short circuit studies, voltage drop analyses, and equipment sizing.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, and client expectations across multiple projects.
• Conduct site investigations and existing condition assessments to support renovations.

Skills

Electrical design

Project management

Client engagement

Code compliance

Team leadership

Load calculations

Coordination with stakeholders

Revit

AutoCAD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Electrical Engineer to join our Property & Buildings team in Irvine, CA. This position will support a diverse portfolio of commercial, mixed-use, corporate workplace, higher education, civic, hospitality, retail, and institutional projects, with a particular emphasis on tenant improvement, building repositioning, renovation, and interior fit-out projects.

The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership, project management, and client engagement while delivering innovative and practical electrical solutions throughout the project lifecycle. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with owners, architects, contractors, and internal multidisciplinary teams to create efficient, sustainable, and future-ready building environments.

Your Impact

• Lead electrical design efforts for tenant improvement, renovation, adaptive reuse, and new construction projects.
• Design electrical power distribution, lighting, lighting controls, emergency power, fire alarm, and low-voltage systems for a variety of building types.
• Provide technical guidance and quality oversight for electrical engineering deliverables.
• Coordinate electrical engineering activities with architects, interior designers, mechanical engineers, structural engineers, and other project stakeholders.
• Prepare and review construction documents including plans, specifications, calculations, and technical reports.
• Perform electrical load calculations, short circuit studies, voltage drop analyses, and equipment sizing.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, and client expectations on multiple concurrent projects.
• Conduct site investigations and existing condition assessments to support renovation and tenant improvement work.
• Participate in construction administration activities including submittal reviews, RFIs, punch lists, and field observations.
• Maintain strong client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor throughout project delivery.
• Collaborate with leadership on business development pursuits, proposal preparation, and client presentations.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and designers while promoting technical excellence and collaboration.
• 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 Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of relevant post-education experience in the design of electrical systems for commercial, corporate workplace, mixed-use, institutional, hospitality, retail, healthcare, higher education, or similar building projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Proven experience leading electrical engineering design for tenant improvement, renovation, and interior fit-out projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, NFPA, IBC, IECC, and other applicable building codes and standards.
• Proficiency in electrical power distribution, emergency power systems, lighting, lighting controls, fire alarm systems, and related building infrastructure.
• Experience with electrical planning, design, permitting, and construction administration.
• Strong understanding of existing building constraints and renovation design challenges.
• Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent project management, organization, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong client-facing skills and ability to build long-term relationships.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• LEED AP, WELL AP, or other sustainability accreditation.
• Experience with high-rise commercial office, workplace, mixed-use, hospitality, or corporate interiors projects.
• Knowledge of energy-efficient building systems, decarbonization strategies, and electrification initiatives.
• Experience with commissioning support and construction management services.
• Previous business development and client management experience.
• 5+ years of project management experience overseeing building systems projects.
• Experience with California Title 24, ASHRAE standards, or other regional energy codes is a plus.

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: $122,700 - $182,200

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and 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.