Legal Counsel - Construction/Environmental

About the Role

Join SCS Engineers as a strategic legal advisor and trusted business partner. In this highly visible role, you'll work directly with company leaders to provide practical legal guidance, negotiate complex construction and commercial contracts, support projects from bid to closeout, and help manage risk across the organization. You'll play a key role in contract negotiations, claims and dispute resolution, compliance initiatives, and risk management strategies that support the success of a growing national firm. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative legal professional who enjoys solving business challenges and making a meaningful impact. You will be based in our Long Beach Headquarters and are expected to be in the office at least 4 days/week.

How You Can Make An Impact

• Strategic Legal Partnership — Serve as the primary legal advisor to assigned business unit leaders, including operations, project management, and engineering teams. Provide practical, risk-based guidance aligned with business goals, profitability, and successful project execution.
• Contracting & Commercial Transactions — Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including EPC, design-build, construction, subcontractor, supplier, and professional services agreements.
• Claims, Disputes & Litigation Management — Provide front-line legal support in resolving project disputes, including delay claims, scope disputes, cost overruns, and differing site conditions.
• Risk Management & Insurance — Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and operational risks across projects. Partner with risk and insurance teams to review coverage, evaluate claims, and manage contract-related risks.
• Project Lifecycle Legal Support — Provide Legal Support Across All Project Phases: Pre-bid (RFP review, risk identification); Execution (change management, claims support); Closeout (final settlements, warranties, dispute resolution).
• Corporate Governance & Compliance Programs — Ensure adherence to Company policies and deliver training programs for project teams (contracts, ethics, environmental compliance).

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.
• Admission to the California Bar required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience, with a focus on construction and/or environmental matters required.
• Litigation experience is a plus.
• Practical experience as an engineer, contractor or construction manager is a plus.
• Experience with delay, impact and acceleration claims is a plus, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Copilot.

Pay

USD $150,000.00 - USD $210,000.00 /Yr.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• 100% employer-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401K including employer match
• Annual Bonus Program
• Student Debt Employer Contribution Program
• Paid holidays, PTO and Paid Parental Leave