Plumbing Engineer

DesignForce; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

DesignForce is seeking a Plumbing Engineer to join our collaborative MEP team in delivering plumbing design and documentation across diverse building projects. You will own plumbing design tasks, perform calculations, generate plans and specifications, and coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and architectural teams from early design through construction.

You will mentor junior staff, ensure code-compliant solutions, and contribute to proposals and value-engineering efforts, while leveraging

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent is required.
• At least four years of plumbing design experience in an MEP setting.
• Strong understanding of plumbing systems, codes, and documentation practices.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Perform plumbing engineering calculations including domestic water, sanitary waste, gas, piping, and system sizing.
• Develop coordinated plans, details, diagrams, and specifications for plumbing, process and fluid-flow, fire-suppression, and piping systems.
• Ensure designs comply with plumbing codes, permitting requirements, and BIM standards.
• Produce project deliverables using AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam and other design tools.
• Coordinate plumbing designs with other disciplines and help manage project milestones.

Skills

AutoCAD

Revit

Bluebeam

Leadership

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

Design high-performance building systems. Lead meaningful projects. Grow into your next level. Our client is seeking a Plumbing Engineer to join a collaborative, quality-driven MEP engineering team. This is an opportunity to take ownership of plumbing design and documentation, contribute across the full project lifecycle, and help deliver thoughtful, technically sound solutions for a diverse portfolio of building projects.

In this role, you will apply your technical expertise while working closely with clients, architects, contractors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams. You will have the opportunity to lead increasingly complex assignments, strengthen client relationships, mentor developing engineers, and continue advancing toward higher levels of technical and project leadership.

What You’ll Do

Plumbing Design and Engineering

• Perform plumbing engineering calculations, including domestic water, sanitary waste, gas, piping, and system sizing calculations.
• Develop coordinated plans, details, diagrams, and specifications for plumbing, process and fluid-flow, fire-suppression, and general piping systems.
• Evaluate design challenges and develop practical, code-compliant solutions.
• Produce high-quality project deliverables using AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and other applicable design tools.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable plumbing codes, permitting requirements, industry standards, and internal CAD and BIM standards.
• Research equipment and coordinate with manufacturers’ representatives to identify appropriate systems and specifications.
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, calculations, figures, and other supporting documentation.

Project Delivery and Coordination

• Coordinate plumbing designs with mechanical, electrical, architectural, structural, and other project disciplines.
• Work with project leadership to establish schedules, meet milestones, manage priorities, and deliver work that meets client expectations.
• Participate in projects from early design through construction administration and closeout.
• Support submittal reviews, RFI responses, sketches, proposal change order reviews, site visits, punch lists, and field reports.
• Conduct field surveys to document existing conditions, construction progress, and contractor feedback.
• Contribute to cost estimating, estimate reviews, constructability discussions, and value-engineering efforts.
• Review your own work and support the quality review of work completed by junior team members.

Client and Team Collaboration

• Participate in client and project-team meetings, presenting technical recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to deliver fully integrated designs.
• Provide timely project updates and help identify changes, risks, and milestones that may affect the client or project team.
• Support the preparation of proposals and scopes of work.
• Gather client feedback and help translate it into actionable direction for the project team.
• Build productive relationships with clients, industry partners, equipment vendors, and manufacturers’ representatives.

Leadership and Professional Growth

• Provide day-to-day guidance, feedback, and technical support to junior engineers and designers.
• Help train team members on engineering standards, documentation practices, and project-delivery expectations.
• Contribute to the continued development of internal design standards and best practices.
• Participate in professional organizations, industry training, and certification opportunities.
• Take on increasing responsibility in project coordination, client communication, technical decision-making, and team leadership.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least four years of plumbing design experience within an MEP consulting firm or related industry.
• Strong understanding of plumbing systems, codes, engineering principles, and documentation practices.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and Bluebeam.
• Experience developing coordinated construction documents and supporting projects through construction administration.

Why This Opportunity

This role offers more than a production-focused engineering position. You will join a team that values technical quality, collaboration, professional development, and thoughtful project delivery. You will have room to expand your influence, deepen your client-facing experience, mentor others, and build a clear path toward future project and technical leadership.

If you are looking for an opportunity to take greater ownership of your work while contributing to a close-knit engineering team, we would welcome the chance to speak with you.