Senior Plan Check Engineer

Job Summary

A direct hire opportunity is available for a Senior Plan Check Engineer in Dana Point, CA. This role is ideal for an experienced California Professional Engineer who is confident reviewing complex construction plans, interpreting building codes, and partnering with architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and municipal staff.

The Senior Plan Check Engineer will perform advanced technical reviews for residential, commercial, industrial, and public projects, ensuring compliance with California Building Codes, Title 24, engineering standards, accessibility requirements, and local regulations. This is a high-impact role in a fast-paced municipal environment where technical expertise, sound judgment, collaboration, and customer service are essential.

This opportunity offers the chance to serve as a trusted technical resource, support meaningful community development projects, and work with a professional team focused on quality, compliance, efficient permitting, and responsive public service. Candidates who enjoy solving complex code and engineering challenges, mentoring others, and improving plan review processes will find this role especially rewarding.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Review and approve complex construction plans, specifications, structural calculations, engineering reports, and permit documents.
- Ensure construction projects comply with California Building Code, Title 24, structural engineering standards, safety codes, and local regulations.
- Provide technical code interpretation and guidance to contractors, architects, engineers, developers, applicants, and internal staff.
- Assist with resolving construction-related issues through field meetings, technical reviews, and cross-functional coordination.

- Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional engineering, structural plan review, or building plan check experience.
- Registered Professional Civil Engineer, PE, in California or ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months.
- ICC Plans Examiner Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months.
- Valid California Drivers License.
- Experience reviewing commercial, industrial, residential, and public works construction projects.
- Strong understanding of structural engineering principles, building construction methods, and engineering calculations.
- Expert knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, National Electrical Code, ADA accessibility requirements, and California Energy Regulations.
- Ability to review structural calculations, engineering reports, architectural and engineering plans, and construction specifications.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and permit processing software.
- Strong code interpretation, written communication, documentation, customer service, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage complex technical reviews in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Municipal or city government experience.
- Extensive experience performing structural plan reviews.
- Experience coordinating with multiple departments and regulatory agencies.
- Experience handling complex code interpretation issues and large-scale development projects.
- Strong ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Review and approve complex construction plans, specifications, structural calculations, engineering reports, and permit documents.
- Ensure construction projects comply with California Building Code, Title 24, structural engineering standards, safety codes, and local regulations.
- Provide technical code interpretation and guidance to contractors, architects, engineers, developers, applicants, and internal staff.
- Assist with resolving construction-related issues through field meetings, technical reviews, and cross-functional coordination.

- Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional engineering, structural plan review, or building plan check experience.
- Registered Professional Civil Engineer, PE, in California or ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months.
- ICC Plans Examiner Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months.
- Valid California Drivers License.
- Experience reviewing commercial, industrial, residential, and public works construction projects.
- Strong understanding of structural engineering principles, building construction methods, and engineering calculations.
- Expert knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, National Electrical Code, ADA accessibility requirements, and California Energy Regulations.
- Ability to review structural calculations, engineering reports, architectural and engineering plans, and construction specifications.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and permit processing software.
- Strong code interpretation, written communication, documentation, customer service, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage complex technical reviews in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Municipal or city government experience.
- Extensive experience performing structural plan reviews.
- Experience coordinating with multiple departments and regulatory agencies.
- Experience handling complex code interpretation issues and large-scale development projects.
- Strong ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.