Hourly Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

AMPAM is a leading Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractor serving large-scale multifamily and commercial projects across California. With 1,500 employees across multiple business units, we are committed to delivering quality, safety, and excellence in every project.

Job Summary

The Design Engineer/Sr. Design Engineer (Design Engineer I / II / III) supports, develops, and leads the engineering and design of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for multi-family new construction projects. Depending on experience and level hired, this position may perform work under the guidance of senior engineers, independently manage assigned projects, or lead complex engineering efforts while mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities include preparing engineering calculations, construction documents, AutoCAD and Revit models, coordinating with project teams, ensuring compliance with applicable building codes and engineering standards, and supporting successful project delivery from concept through construction.

Placement at the Design Engineer I, II, or III level will be determined based on the selected candidate's education, experience, technical expertise, and demonstrated capabilities.

Key Responsibilities Include: (But not limited to the following)

Design & Engineering

• Develop plumbing, HVAC, and electrical designs from concept through construction documents for multi-family residential buildings.
• Perform engineering calculations, including heating/cooling loads, ventilation rates, equipment selection, duct/pipe sizing, and electrical load analysis.
• Prepare and review technical drawings, schedules, and specifications using AutoCAD and Revit.
• Apply relevant codes and standards (CPC, CMC, NEC, ASHRAE, ASPE, IECC, NFPA, ADA, and local building codes).
• Review and coordinate designs with architectural, structural, and other engineering disciplines.

Project Coordination

• Serve as the primary design contact for assigned projects, coordinating with project managers, clients, and contractors.
• Participate in design and coordination meetings to resolve technical issues and ensure design intent is maintained.
• Support construction administration, including reviewing submittals, responding to RFIs, and performing field observations.

Quality & Mentorship

• Conduct QA/QC reviews of drawings and documents prepared by junior staff or technicians.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Design Engineer I and Design Technician team members.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of company design standards, processes, and templates.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Architectural Engineering from an accredited program.
• Experience requirements vary based on level hired:
  • Design Engineer I: 0–3 years of MEP design or building systems engineering experience (internships or co-op experience acceptable).
  • Design Engineer II: Approximately 3+ years of relevant MEP design experience for multi-family or commercial building systems.
  • Design Engineer III: Approximately 6+ years of progressively responsible MEP design experience for multi-family or commercial building systems.

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred for Design Engineer I, required for Design Engineer II, and Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure preferred for Design Engineer III.

• 3–6 years of relevant experience in MEP design for building systems (multi-family or mixed-use projects preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit required; familiarity with Navisworks, Bluebeam, or BIM 360 preferred.
• Strong understanding of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system design, including energy efficiency and sustainability considerations.
• Ability to perform and review engineering calculations with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multiple project stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without future employment sponsorship

Compensation

Compensation for this position ranges from $34.00 per hour ($70,000 annually) to $130,000+ annually, depending on the position level, qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills. Design Engineer I positions are classified as non-exempt (hourly). Design Engineer II and Design Engineer III positions are classified as exempt (salaried).

Final job level, compensation, and classification will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, technical expertise, and overall qualifications.

Recruitment Agencies

To protect the interests of all parties, AMPAM will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to AMPAM, including those sent directly to hiring managers or employees, become the property of AMPAM. AMPAM will not pay placement fees resulting from unsolicited submissions. External recruitment agencies should direct all inquiries exclusively to AMPAM's Talent Acquisition team.