Structural Project Engineer Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

Join the firm AIA calls “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture.” Winner of the AIA 2025 Firm Award, we’re an integrated collective of designers and researchers united in a mission to eliminate carbon emissions and build a more equitable, livable future. LPA is seeking a passionate and ambitious Structural Project Engineer to join our high-performing, multidisciplinary design team. You'll have an opportunity to shape projects at every stage of the design process across LPA's wide-ranging practice areas. We invest in your growth through site tours, software training, tech talks, and LPA+U courses focused on innovative, sustainable design practices. Here, engineers' voices are heard, creative ideas are encouraged, and your work is valued. We walk the talk at LPA, and our commitment to changing lives by design is more than a slogan. LPA is one of the nation’s leading sustainable design firms and the only large firm to meet the AIA’s 2030 Challenge benchmarks over the last two years. Engineers are a vital part of this history of achievement at LPA, and our structural engineers are leading the way in tackling the SE 2050 Embodied Carbon Challenge. LPA’s structural engineers have been repeatedly recognized by our peers in the structural engineering community for our innovative and technically challenging designs, including receiving SEAOC’s Excellence in Structural Engineering and People’s Choice Award in 2021 along with multiple national engineering awards from NCSEA and AISC. Join a firm where your voice is heard and your work is highly valued. LPA offers a collaborative environment and the opportunity to work with a team of creative, intelligent experts in all aspects of the integrated design process, along with meaningful opportunities for career development and advancement.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

What You'll Do
- Work in unison with Project Architects, Project Designers, and Project Managers to lead the project design process.
- Prepare documentation for schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
- Conduct quality control research on products and construction methods related to projects.
- Lead the construction administration process.

WHAT WE OFFER

At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.
- Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
- Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.
- Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
- 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
- Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
- Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested over $1.2 million and impacted over 800 LPA employees.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

What We're Looking For:

- Bachelors Degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering.
- 5+ years of experience in all phases of building design.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Proficiency in RAM, RISA, and ETABS.
- Well-developed technical, structural, code, and detailing skills, with a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality documentation.
- Interest in and commitment to multidisciplinary design, collaboration, and contributing to an inclusive team environment.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with an interest in communicating technical concepts clearly and collaboratively throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ability to lead structural design projects with mentorship and guidance from the Project Manager, while also providing direction, support, and mentorship to less-experienced team members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Masters Degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering.
- Structural Engineering (SE) license.
- Experience with Revit.

COMPENSATION

Compensation Range: $90K - $145K

LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs. This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS

Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.