Senior Plan Check Engineer

Job Summary

A public sector organization in San Juan Capistrano, CA is seeking a Senior Plan Check Engineer for a direct hire opportunity. This role is ideal for an experienced California Professional Engineer with strong structural plan review expertise, advanced code interpretation skills, and the ability to support complex residential, commercial, industrial, and public construction projects.

The Senior Plan Check Engineer will serve as a key technical resource for staff, applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. This is a high-impact role in a stable municipal environment where your work directly supports safe development, quality construction, and community service. The position offers the opportunity to work with supportive leadership, collaborative cross-functional teams, and professionals committed to responsive public service, technical excellence, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

- Review and approve construction plans, specifications, engineering documents, and structural calculations for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
- Interpret California Building Code, Title 24 requirements, accessibility standards, energy regulations, and related building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes.
- Identify plan deficiencies, prepare clear correction comments, and provide technical recommendations to applicants and project stakeholders.
- Collaborate with Building Officials, engineers, architects, contractors, developers, and internal departments on complex construction and development projects.
- Support permit counter operations, attend field meetings, assist with construction-related issue resolution, and maintain accurate plan review records.
- Serve as a technical resource and mentor to staff while recommending process improvements that improve efficiency and service levels.

Compensation and Benefits

- Direct hire opportunity.
- Salary range: $150,000 to $166,584 per year.
- Benefits information was not provided.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Perform advanced structural plan reviews for residential, commercial, industrial, and public projects.
- Review structural calculations, engineering reports, architectural plans, engineering plans, and construction specifications.
- Provide expert code interpretation and technical guidance to internal teams, applicants, and project stakeholders.
- Support complex project coordination, permit review activities, field meetings, and construction issue resolution.

- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of professional engineering, structural plan review, or building plan check experience.
- Registered Professional Civil Engineer (PE) in California, or ability to obtain California reciprocity within 6 months.
- ICC Plans Examiner Certification, or ability to obtain certification within 6 months.
- Valid California Driver's License.
- Experience reviewing commercial, industrial, residential, and public works construction projects.
- Expert knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, Uniform Building, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes, National Electrical Code, ADA accessibility requirements, and California Energy Regulations.
- Strong understanding of structural engineering principles, building construction methods, engineering calculations, and code interpretation.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and permit processing software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical requirements clearly and professionally.
- Excellent customer service, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Municipal, city government, or public agency experience.
- Extensive experience performing structural plan reviews for complex construction projects.
- Experience coordinating with multiple departments, regulatory agencies, developers, and external consultants.
- Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to handle challenging code interpretation discussions professionally.
- Experience supporting large-scale development projects and complex permitting processes.