Principal | Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Location: Northern California's Bay Area/South Bay/Peninsula region. 

Summary/Objective

This Principal will serve in the Project Executive (PX) seat, with primary responsibility for the health, retention, and growth of an assigned portfolio of ColeBreit clients. The Principal builds trusted relationships, ensures successful project delivery, and stays engaged beyond active projects to understand clients' priorities, anticipate upcoming needs, and identify opportunities to expand ColeBreit's services. They also actively build relationships with prospective clients and pursue new work in partnership with the Business Development team, aligned with the firm's target markets and priorities.

As PX, the Principal is accountable for project portfolio performance, including technical quality, financial outcomes, and risk management. They bring strong technical judgment to project decisions and mentor PMs and discipline leads while supporting those individuals in owning day-to-day delivery. The role balances client stewardship and business development with engaged project oversight. The Principal also helps lead the firm through active participation in quarterly Principal meetings, contributing to company-level decisions, strategic priorities, and the firm's long-term direction.

On selected projects, as needed, the Principal may provide discipline-specific leadership and mentorship or serve as a Discipline Lead or Subject Matter Expert (SME). These assignments are determined in coordination with the Project Delivery Lead and balanced with the Principal's primary PX and client development responsibilities. The Principal is expected to delegate technical execution appropriately, develop others' ability to lead, and remain involved where their expertise and judgment add the most value. ColeBreit operates in a matrix structure, with project responsibilities and functional reporting defined separately. The Principal leads through the PX seat, partnering with PMs on day-to-day delivery and with Team Leads on staffing and team member development. Supervisory authority follows assigned reporting relationships, while project authority follows the applicable project accountability chart.

The detailed accountabilities, reporting cadence, and measurables for the PX seat are defined in the PX seat description and applicable accountability charts.

Position Responsibilities

Operations and Quality Control

• Review execution of the work to ensure work is produced within the established quality control standards of the company. Monitor the timely completion of the work.

• Coordinate project staffing needs with the Project Delivery Lead and appropriate team leads. Actively coordinate with Project Managers to secure needed resources (personnel, consultants, etc.) for successful completion of projects.

• Circulate articles of pertinent interest in current events and technologies and encourage the staff to continue to refine their craft.

• Participate in resolution of client scope and services issues and communicate these issues to the appropriate project team and other Principals when considered necessary.

• Contribute to the planning and execution of firmwide operational metrics and protocols as requested by the leader responsible for those functions.

• Contribute technical expertise to the development and maintenance of master specifications, design guidelines, and deliverable expectations in coordination with the appropriate Team Lead.

• Assist in technical issues that arise on projects, whether or not the Principal is directly involved in the project.

• Mentor and guide team members on a technical level as required.

• Develop and deliver technical educational presentations and contribute to training programs as requested by the appropriate Team Lead.

• On selected projects, undertake Discipline Lead, SME, or Engineer of Record responsibilities, consistent with the priorities and delegation expectations described above.

Business Development

• Proactively maintain and grow existing client relationships and pursue new client opportunities in partnership with the Business Development team.

• For new business, discuss impacts and resources required with Principals and Production Team.

• In conjunction with the Marketing team, participate in the development of sales tools such as content for brochures, proposals, presentations, etc.

• Seek out expanded services and revenues with existing clients and on existing projects.

• Participate in various networking opportunities to promote the company brand.

• Look for ways to set us apart, as firm differentiation from other firms to generate new business.

• Maintain strict adherence to confidentiality of client and business operations information.

• Safely use all equipment and materials. Follow established safety procedures, use appropriate safeguards, and observe common-sense safety rules in all on-the-job activities.

Talent Management

• Additionally, Principals are expected to provide mentorship and leadership to all employees, regardless of reporting relationship and whether they regularly work with those team members.

• Provide project-based performance feedback and participate in formal employee evaluations as assigned.

• In conjunction with the HR team, participate in recruitment of potential employees, review resumes, and interview appropriate candidates for hire.

• Contribute to staff development, continuing education, and employee training programs as requested by the appropriate Team Lead or HR team. Support team members' professional growth through mentorship and assigned project work.

• Create an environment conducive to the achievement of high quality, timely, and cost-effective engineering and design.

• Contribute to a collaborative work environment, and promote cooperation, commitment, and accountability within the team to achieve short- and long-range team goals in line with the company's mission, vision, and values.

• Communicate clearly, actively listen and build trust both internally and externally.

• Maintain and develop professional and technical knowledge by participating in/utilizing in-house educational training/materials and establishing and maintaining professional networks.

• Communicate any known violation of any office policy, code, safety policy, or law immediately to leadership.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may include the responsibility of supervising other team members, as assigned.

Work Environment and Travel

• This role operates in a professional office environment with regular use of computers and related equipment. Hybrid work flexibility is available depending on project requirements and team coordination needs.

• Local and regional travel (within 100 miles) is expected for project meetings and site visits. Occasional overnight travel may be required based on project or company needs.

• Travel includes quarterly Principal meetings in Bend, Oregon.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or related field (as appropriate for position).

• PE registration in the State of California (or another state with the ability to obtain registration in California).

• 15+ years of experience in MEP consulting engineering.

• Proven track record of technical leadership in large-scale engineering projects.

• 5+ years of experience leading project teams and mentoring others, including demonstrated ability to delegate effectively and develop others' judgment.

• Strong understanding of building codes, regulations, and industry standards.

• Demonstrated success overseeing multidisciplinary project portfolios, including client relationships, financial performance, and risk.

• Business development experience in the AEC industry including demonstrated success growing existing client relationships and winning new work.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize in a changing environment.

• Must be organized, flexible, independent, and self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, detail oriented.

• Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and lead team efforts by promoting cooperation, commitment, and accountability within the team to achieve short- and long-range team goals in line with the company's mission, vision, and values.

• Ability to develop and maintain appropriate relationships with superiors, peers, colleagues, clients, and vendors.

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills, including accurate grammar and business correspondence knowledge.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Proven track record of managing large-scale engineering projects.

• Familiarity with REVIT a plus.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the employee's activities, duties, or responsibilities to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.