Plumbing Design Project Manager

LPA, Inc. • San Jose, CA

1d

About The Position

Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued. We’re currently seeking a Plumbing Design Project Manager to join our dynamic team. You’ll be part of a culture that values deep collaboration, technical excellence, and continual growth. As a member of our MEP+L Systems engineering team, you will work on a broad range of projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across our studios in California and Texas—and help bring high-performance, community-first design to life.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in plumbing design.
• Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) credential, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to perform value engineering, including evaluating design alternatives and developing high-level construction cost estimates to meet client or owner budget objectives.
• Extensive knowledge of plumbing, building, and code requirements, as well as key client and owner design standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate with clients, consultants, and internal teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the design of medical gas, laboratory, and/or fire protection systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and/or oversee complete plumbing drawings for schematic design, design development, and construction documentation in close collaboration with internal teams, architects, clients, and consultants.
• Lead the plumbing design effort and coordinate with other disciplines to define requirements for plumbing systems, equipment, and materials throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate fire protection systems design, as required based on Authority Having Jurisdiction.
• Apply a strong understanding of design standards and code requirements related to plumbing and fire protection systems.
• Contribute to projects of varying types, sizes, and complexities, including large-scale, technically complex projects and those incorporating emerging industry technologies.
• Develop creative and effective plumbing design solutions using sound judgment; evaluate alternative plumbing design schemes based on cost, efficiency, space constraints, constructability, and performance.
• Prepare project labor hour and fee estimates; review construction cost estimates; write, edit, and develop project specifications as needed.
• Perform feasibility studies for existing facilities and plumbing systems.
• Support construction administration activities, including punch lists, RFIs, and submittal reviews.

Benefits

• 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.
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Health and Dental Insurance
• 401(k)
• 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 $1.2M and impacted 848 LPA employees.
• competitive salaries
• retirement and financial planning
• wellness initiatives
• flexible work/life programs
• annual bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior