Project Engineer

Project Engineer

Location: San Francisco, CA,  United States

Job Description:

 category Architecture, Environmental, & Civil

115000 USD - 175000 USD/year

Position Overview

Were seeking a Project Engineer to help deliver technically complex, design-driven building projects from concept through construction and commissioning.

In this role, youll lead the engineering delivery of small to medium-sized projects, typically under $80M in construction value, while supporting major scopes on larger projects exceeding $100M. Youll work closely with architects, clients, project managers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop practical, high-quality solutions and keep projects aligned with design intent, schedule, budget, and technical standards.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys both the technical and collaborative sides of project delivery and wants increasing ownership of projects and client relationships.

What Youll Do

• Lead engineering activities for small to medium-sized building projects from concept and schematic design through construction documents, construction, and commissioning.
• Support Senior Project Engineers on major, complex projects exceeding $100M in construction value.
• Develop project concepts and detailed engineering solutions within your area of technical expertise.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, architectural, and BIM teams to deliver integrated building solutions.
• Conduct site surveys and evaluate existing building systems for renovations, upgrades, and repositioning projects.
• Review construction progress, quality, and conformance with project documents and technical standards.
• Participate in client and architect meetings, presenting technical solutions and helping resolve project challenges.
• Manage engineering deliverables against project schedules, budgets, quality standards, and design objectives.
• Collaborate with Senior technical staff and subject-matter experts on complex design challenges.
• Contribute to technical standards, specifications, typical details, and Revit/BIM standards.
• Support project management activities including staffing estimates, deliverable planning, coordination, budget monitoring, and project communications.
• Participate in controls and commissioning activities where applicable.
• Support business development through project write-ups, presentations, fee assumptions, and technical input.
• Travel to project sites and client locations as required.

What Were Looking For

• 5+ years of project engineering experience within the building design, architecture, engineering, or construction industry.
• Experience supporting projects across multiple phases, including design development, construction documentation, construction administration, and commissioning.
• Demonstrated experience delivering technically complex building projects on schedule and within established budgets.
• Strong understanding of building systems and multidisciplinary design coordination.
• Proficiency with Revit and experience working in a BIM-based project environment.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Ability to develop and communicate technical solutions while coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and clients.
• Experience conducting site surveys and/or construction-site reviews.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently own project responsibilities while knowing when to engage Senior technical resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE) license, or progress toward licensure.
• LEED accreditation or Green Associate credential.
• Masters degree in engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with architecturally significant or design-forward building projects.
• Experience in sectors such as commercial, corporate, institutional, civic, justice, aviation, healthcare, or mission-critical facilities.
• Exposure to controls, commissioning, central plants, emergency power systems, or other complex building infrastructure.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary or multi-office engineering teams.

Why Join

Youll work in a collaborative, design-focused environment where engineers partner closely with architects, clients, and specialty disciplines on technically challenging building projects.

The role offers exposure to both local and larger-scale projects, opportunities to take increasing ownership of project delivery, and support for continued professional development and licensure.

The position follows a hybrid schedule with three days in the office, with work-from-home typically available Monday and Friday. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, paid time off, floating holidays, mental wellness resources, disability and life insurance, fertility benefits, professional memberships, CEU opportunities, mentorship, and financial support for professional licensure exams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Francisco, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $115000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Hybrid work environment 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays Minimum 4 weeks paid time off with a cash-out option Medical, dental, and vision coverage Free mental wellness resources Life and AD&D coverage Short- and long-term disability benefits 4 weeks paid parental leave Fertility coverage 401(k) matching contributions with retirement-planning guidance Financial support and study preparation for licensure exams CEU credit opportunities Mentorship programs Paid professional memberships

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Francisco, CA.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in San Francisco,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.