Lead Plumbing Design Engineer

PAE is looking for a Lead Plumbing Design Engineer in our Seattle, WA office, to oversee the design and delivery of plumbing and fire protection systems from concept through construction for our Seattle office. This hybrid role manages key project deliverables including calculations, drawings, specifications, and cost opinions while ensuring alignment with budget, schedule, and quality expectations. The position provides technical leadership, mentorship, and interdisciplinary coordination, along with performing system calculations, equipment selection, site visits, and updates to firmwide standards.

Success in this role requires strong communication skills, a solid understanding of plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection systems, proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office, and familiarity with UPC, IPC, NFPA, and IBC. A bachelor’s degree and at least four years of plumbing design experience are required, and PE or CPD credentials are preferred. This position is a hybrid role, combining in‑office collaboration with remote flexibility.

• Oversee the preparation of deliverables and documents including narratives, calculations, drawings and specifications
• Able to effectively communicate plumbing design options to a diverse stakeholder group
• Determine fire protection and plumbing system requirements for various building types
• Provide design direction, mentorship and guidance for the project team
• Independently evaluate and apply engineering judgement, techniques, and procedures to complete a project from concepts through construction
• Complete the project within the budget and schedule
• Knowledge of other disciplines and direct interdisciplinary coordination
• Provide updates to master specifications; provide input into standards
• Perform plumbing design calculations and equipment selection
• Provide opinions of probable construction costs
• Perform site visits and issue reports
• Implement the project quality management plan (QMP)
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s Degree for discipline work or equivalent experience
• Relevant Professional Credential (i.e., PE, CPD) preferred
• 4+ years’ experience in plumbing design
• Thorough understanding of mechanical engineering concepts, HVAC, Plumbing, and Fire Protection
• Thorough understanding of project phases and their associated deliverables
• Develop the ability to assemble and run a team
• Understand plumbing design concepts and effectively communicate them to others
• Knowledge of applicable plumbing codes and standards including: UPC, IPC, NFPA and IBC
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Revit/AutoCAD