Plumbing Design Project Manager

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.

Follow this link to learn more about our MEP L Systems Engineering team.

What You'll Do:

• 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.
  
  

What we offer:

At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.

• 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.
• Benefits package including 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.
  
  

What We're Looking For:

Required:

• 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.
  
  

Preferred:

• 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.
  
  

LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS:

Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.

Compensation Range: $115K - $180K