Director of Plumbing Engineering at MEP Engineering Firm

Job Title

Director of Plumbing Engineering

Full-time, on-site in Downtown San Diego, 92101

120 Degreez MEP Engineering Firm is a leading provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering solutions across California and beyond. We specialize in designing innovative and sustainable systems for commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, life science, and industrial developments. Our firm is dedicated to engineering excellence, environmental sustainability, and superior client service—delivering designs that meet the highest standards of performance, efficiency, and constructability.

The Director of Plumbing Engineering is responsible for leading and managing the firm’s plumbing engineering discipline. This senior leadership position oversees design quality, technical innovation, project delivery, and team development within the plumbing department. The Director ensures all designs comply with California building codes and sustainability standards while fostering collaboration across disciplines and maintaining strong client relationships.

This role represents a unique opportunity for a technical expert and proven leader to shape the future of plumbing design excellence at 120 Degreez.

• Leadership & Department Management
  • Lead the Plumbing Engineering Department, ensuring project quality, efficiency, and alignment with company goals.
  • Establish and maintain departmental design standards, documentation procedures, and best practices.
  • Oversee departmental budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and resource planning to meet profitability and workload targets.
  • Support business development efforts by providing technical input for proposals, interviews, and client presentations.
• Technical Oversight
  • Provide technical leadership, review, and approval of plumbing system designs, drawings, and specifications.
  • Ensure full compliance with applicable codes and standards, including:
    • Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
    • California Building Standards Code (Title 24 – Energy & Green Building Standards)
    • NFPA Requirements
    • ASPE and ASHRAE Guidelines
    • LEED / CALGreen / HCAI (OSHPD) requirements, as applicable
  • Develop and evaluate system layouts for domestic water, sanitary waste and vent, storm drainage, natural gas, medical gas, and specialty systems.
  • Troubleshoot complex design or construction challenges and provide solutions aligned with performance and budget goals.
  • Champion sustainable and water-conserving designs, including greywater systems, low-flow technologies, and renewable system integration.
• Project Oversight & Coordination
  • Oversee plumbing scopes for major or technically complex projects across multiple sectors.
  • Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, structural, architectural, and civil teams to deliver coordinated, integrated MEP solutions.
  • Implement and enforce QA/QC procedures to ensure design accuracy, completeness, and constructability.
  • Participate in project kick-offs, design reviews, and construction coordination meetings to ensure design intent and client satisfaction.
• Team Development
  • Mentor and train plumbing engineers and designers to promote growth, technical competency, and leadership readiness.
  • Lead recruitment and hiring for the plumbing discipline; conduct performance evaluations and career development planning.
  • Encourage knowledge sharing, continuing education, and professional licensure among staff.
• Client & Stakeholder Relations
  • Serve as the primary technical contact for plumbing-related issues with clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
  • Address escalated project challenges with proactive solutions and maintain long-term client partnerships.
  • Represent 120 Degreez at industry events, conferences, and professional associations such as ASPE or ASHRAE.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Review contracts to ensure plumbing scopes and deliverables are clearly defined and risks are appropriately managed.
  • Maintain thorough project documentation to mitigate risk and uphold quality standards.
  • Promote and enforce safety and regulatory compliance across all projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Plumbing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a…