Department Leader- Land Development

What We’re Looking For:

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Land Development Civil Engineering Department Lead to lead and grow our Land Development practice in Santa Ana, California.

This is an opportunity for a proven leader who wants to do more than manage projects. You will help shape the future of our Land Development practice by growing and mentoring a high-performing team, strengthening client relationships, expanding our presence in the Southern California market, and delivering complex projects from concept through construction.

The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, people leadership, client relationships, and strong business development instincts. You understand how to build teams, earn client trust, identify opportunities, and create an environment where talented engineers can grow.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and grow the Santa Ana Land Development team, providing technical direction, mentorship, and leadership to engineering professionals.
• Develop and execute strategies to expand Michael Baker’s Land Development presence throughout Southern California.
• Identify and pursue new clients, markets, and business opportunities while strengthening relationships with existing clients.
• Lead the successful delivery of complex land development projects from planning and feasibility through design, permitting, and construction.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients by understanding their objectives, anticipating challenges, and delivering high-quality project outcomes.
• Lead and support business development activities, including client engagement, proposal development, interviews, presentations, and pursuit strategies.
• Oversee multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate with professionals across Michael Baker to provide integrated solutions.
• Coordinate with municipalities, agencies, developers, architects, and other project partners throughout the entitlement and permitting process.
• Provide oversight for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and technical delivery.
• Mentor and develop emerging professionals, project managers, and future technical leaders.
• Represent Michael Baker within the Southern California development and professional community.
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to help define the long-term vision, market strategy, and growth of the Land Development practice.

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of Civil Engineering and Land Development experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
• California Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, or ability to obtain within one year.
• Strong knowledge of the Southern California land development market, regulatory environment, municipalities, and agencies.
• Established industry and client relationships with a proven ability to develop new business.
• Broad technical experience across site development, grading, drainage/stormwater, utilities, water/sewer systems, WQMP, LID, and NPDES requirements.
• Proven success leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teams from planning and entitlement through design, permitting, and construction.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineering professionals while building collaborative, high-performing teams.
• Strong client leadership, communication, business development, and relationship-building skills.

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $185,000 - $255,000 per year.

This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location. This position is also eligible for a discretionary bonus based on corporate and individual performance.

Why Choose Us:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits
• Tuition reimbursement program