Civil Design Team Leader

Mott MacDonald•San Diego, CA

9d•$144,000 - $176,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Civil Design Team Leader to help establish and grow our civil engineering presence in Southern California. Based in San Diego, this role will provide technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and people management across a diverse portfolio of projects. This position will be hired under our Buildings practice, while supporting four main markets: Aviation, Data Centers, Major Events and Venues, Transit, Light Rail and Ports. This is an ideal opportunity for a technically focused civil engineering leader who enjoys mentoring mid-level and junior staff, leading design delivery, and maintaining direct involvement in projects while helping shape the growth of a developing Buildings practice. The successful candidate will play a key role in building and leading a high-performing Buildings civil engineering team in San Diego and Los Angeles. This position may be additionally supporting project execution across other business units, and contribute to the long-term expansion of our Southern California operations. The role offers a clear path toward broader operational and departmental leadership responsibilities, while remaining closely connected to project management, technical delivery, and team development. This position will report to the Buildings Principal Civil Engineer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
CA Professional Engineer (PE) license required, or ability to obtain via reciprocity.
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 technical background in civil engineering design, including grading, drainage, utilities, site development, and civil infrastructure systems.
Proven success mentoring and developing engineers and designers within a consulting environment.
Experience managing projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strong client relationships.
Interest in building and growing a team while remaining actively involved in project management and technical delivery.
Desire to progress into broader leadership responsibilities over time, including practice or department management.
Ability to balance technical leadership, client engagement, team development, and project delivery responsibilities.
Experience supporting projects within one or more of the SW Buildings practice primary markets: Aviation, Data Centers, Major Events and Venues, Transit, Light Rail and Ports.
Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and develop high-performing teams.

Nice To Haves

Texas and Arizona PE licensure is not required but obtaining those as well would be an added value.
Knowledge of the California construction industry clients, potential partners, and consulting providers is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the growth and development of a multidisciplinary civil engineering project team in San Diego and Los Angeles, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing civil staff.
Provide technical leadership and oversight for civil engineering projects, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative, and practical design solutions.
Remain actively involved in project planning, design, project management, and client delivery activities across multiple market sectors.
Support the execution of 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 and engaging 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 Mott MacDonald's presence throughout California, Texas and Arizona.
Build and maintain trusted client relationships through project delivery excellence and technical leadership.
Support business planning and developing strategic growth initiatives for the San Diego and Los Angeles Buildings civil engineering practice while maintaining a primary focus on technical leadership, project execution, and team development.
Contribute to select client development and proposal activities, with support from dedicated market and business development leaders.