Director of Electrical Engineering

Director of Electrical Engineering

Costa Mesa, CA |

A Leadership Opportunity at a Pivotal Moment

Our firm is entering an important transition. One of our three Principals will be retiring this April, and we are seeking a senior electrical engineering leader ready to step into a defining role in the next chapter of the practice.

We have a strong and growing portfolio of work across K-12 education, healthcare, and civic facilities. What we need now is steady, experienced leadership -- someone who can strengthen client relationships, guide design teams with confidence, and help formalize best practices as we evolve.

This is a rare opportunity: a clear path to Principal, meaningful influence over the direction of the department, and the autonomy that larger MEP firms often cannot provide.

The Role

As Director of Electrical Engineering, you will lead the electrical discipline firmwide. This role combines technical excellence, team leadership, and strategic collaboration with ownership.

You will:

Own Technical Delivery

• Oversee electrical system design including power distribution, lighting, low-voltage systems, and fire alarm.
• Lead complex healthcare and education projects ranging from renovations and campus expansions to ground-up construction.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA, Title 24, and healthcare-specific standards.
• Set and maintain high technical and documentation standards across projects.

Serve as a Senior Client Advisor

• Act as the primary technical contact for key healthcare and education clients.
• Lead design meetings, provide construction-phase support, and participate in high-level project discussions.
• Strengthen long-term relationships through responsiveness, clarity, and trusted expertise.

Develop and Guide the Team

• Direct and mentor a focused group of engineers and designers (2-3 direct reports).
• Establish accountability, technical rigor, and a collaborative culture.
• Build scalable processes that support consistent, high-quality delivery.

Shape the Firm's Future

• Partner with leadership on strategy, pursuits, and operational improvements.
• Contribute to expanding our healthcare and education presence.
• Help refine workflows and elevate how the department operates as the firm transitions.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Master's preferred).
• PE license strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience.
• Strong background in healthcare and/or K-12 projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and mentoring engineers.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and industry-standard electrical design tools.
• Confident communicator capable of leading both internally and externally.

What Success Looks Like

• You quickly establish credibility with clients and become their trusted technical partner.
• Project delivery becomes more consistent, coordinated, and efficient.
• Engineers grow under your leadership and take pride in their work.
• The electrical department operates with stronger standards and clearer direction.
• You position yourself for long-term leadership within the firm.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary is above average and highly competitive.
• Equity opportunity aligned with long-term leadership growth.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, retirement contributions, and PTO.
• Continuing education, professional development, and licensing support.

If you're looking for more than just a department head role -- if you want real influence, strategic visibility, and a path to ownership -- this is an opportunity to step into leadership at exactly the right time.