Staff Engineer II

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established structural engineering consulting firm specializing in architecturally significant custom residential projects, boutique commercial work, and innovative mass timber developments throughout Northern California.

The firm is seeking a Senior Associate-level Structural Engineer to join its leadership team and play a critical role in the future of the practice. This is more than a traditional senior engineering position. The successful candidate will work alongside firm leadership to help guide operations, strengthen client relationships, mentor staff, and gradually assume greater leadership responsibilities as a long-tenured principal transitions toward retirement.

For the right individual, this role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a respected design-focused engineering practice while remaining actively involved in technically challenging projects.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the structural design and delivery of complex high-end residential and custom home projects.
• Serve as a senior technical resource and mentor to engineers across the organization.
• Collaborate directly with architects, contractors, owners, and project teams throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Help oversee project execution, staffing, quality control, and operational initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, and industry partners.
• Support business development activities and contribute to the continued growth of the firm's client base.
• Participate in strategic planning and leadership discussions related to the future direction of the practice.
• Foster collaboration, professional development, and a positive team culture.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and structural systems to support innovative project solutions.
• Help expand the firm's presence within the residential, mass timber, and specialty building sectors.

What They're Looking For

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related discipline.
• California PE and SE licenses required.
• 10-15+ years of structural engineering experience.
• Significant experience leading the design and delivery of high-end custom residential projects.
• Strong understanding of wood, steel, concrete, and lateral force-resisting systems.
• Experience collaborating directly with architects on architecturally driven projects.
• Proven ability to lead project teams and mentor developing engineers.
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship-building skills.
• Interest in operations, business development, and long-term practice leadership.
• Experience with mass timber projects or a strong desire to expand into the sector.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a genuine interest in helping grow a business.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is not simply a strong technical engineer. They are someone who can gradually evolve into a leadership position within the firm.

Successful candidates will likely demonstrate:

• A collaborative, low-ego leadership style.
• Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build trust with architects, owners, and internal teams.
• Appreciation for an established company culture and a desire to enhance it rather than overhaul it.
• A growth mindset and willingness to learn new markets, materials, and business functions.
• Interest in helping lead the firm through its next generation of growth.

Candidates coming from custom residential, boutique structural consulting, architect-focused engineering firms, or design-driven building practices may be particularly strong fits.

Why Engineers Are Interested

• Opportunity to step into a true leadership-track role with significant influence over firm direction.
• Direct succession planning opportunity as a senior principal transitions toward retirement.
• High level of autonomy and visibility within the organization.
• Diverse portfolio of architecturally significant custom homes and specialty structures.
• Opportunity to expand involvement in mass timber and innovative structural systems.
• Strong culture of mentorship, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Flexible hybrid work environment with a strong in-person collaborative culture.
• Family-oriented organization that values work-life balance and employee retention.
• Ability to contribute meaningfully to operations, client development, and long-term business strategy.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary typically ranging from $145,000-$160,000+ depending on experience and leadership capabilities.
• Leadership-level growth opportunity with increasing management responsibility.
• Hybrid work schedule with flexibility.
• Strong mentorship and collaboration with firm leadership.
• Long-term advancement potential within a growing practice.
• Opportunity to build key client relationships and influence firm growth strategy.