Civil Design Team Lead
About The Position
Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Civil Design Team Lead to help establish and grow its civil engineering presence in Southern California. Based in San Diego, the role provides technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and people management across a diverse portfolio. The position is part of the Buildings practice and supports Aviation, Data Centers, Major Events and Venues, Transit, Light Rail, and Ports markets. The successful candidate will help build and lead a high-performing civil engineering team in San Diego and Los Angeles while staying actively involved in project management and technical delivery. The role may also support project execution across other business units and contribute to the long-term expansion of Southern California operations. It offers a path toward broader operational and departmental leadership while remaining closely connected to project delivery and team development. The position reports to the Buildings Principal Civil Engineer.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- California Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain one through reciprocity.
- At least 10 years of civil engineering experience with increasing responsibility in technical leadership and project delivery.
- Demonstrated experience leading civil design teams and delivering complex infrastructure or site development projects.
- Strong civil engineering design background, including grading, drainage, utilities, site development, and civil infrastructure systems.
- Proven success mentoring and developing engineers and designers in a consulting environment.
- Experience managing projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining client relationships.
- Ability and interest in growing a team while remaining actively involved in project management and technical delivery.
- Ability to balance technical leadership, client engagement, team development, and project delivery responsibilities.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, including the ability to influence and develop high-performing teams.
Nice To Haves
- Texas and Arizona PE licensure; obtaining these licenses would be an added value but is not required.
- Experience supporting projects in one or more of the Southwest Buildings practice's primary markets: Aviation, Data Centers, Major Events and Venues, Transit, Light Rail, and Ports.
- Knowledge of California construction industry clients, potential partners, and consulting providers.
- Desire to progress into broader leadership responsibilities over time, including practice or department management.
Responsibilities
- Lead the growth and development of a multidisciplinary civil engineering project team in San Diego and Los Angeles, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing staff.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight for civil engineering projects, delivering high-quality, innovative, and practical design solutions.
- Remain actively involved in project planning, design, project management, and client delivery across multiple market sectors.
- Support projects involving site development, utilities, drainage, grading, and civil infrastructure for Aviation, Data Centers, Major Events and Venues, Transit, Light Rail, and Ports facilities.
- Collaborate with project managers and technical leaders to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and in accordance with client expectations and quality standards.
- Foster a collaborative team culture focused on technical excellence, professional growth, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with regional and national civil engineering leaders to expand technical capabilities and strengthen the company's presence in California, Texas, and Arizona.
- Build and maintain trusted client relationships through project delivery and technical leadership.
- Support business planning and strategic growth initiatives for the San Diego and Los Angeles Buildings civil engineering practice.
- Contribute to select client development and proposal activities, with support from market and business development leaders.
Benefits
- Performance-based bonuses.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts (FSA and HSA).
- Company-paid life insurance.
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) plan with company matching.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Caregiver leave.
- Employee referral bonuses.
- Professional registration and membership reimbursements.
- Tuition assistance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
