Role of a Design Engineer in Pomona: Complete Guide 2025

**Load Analysis & Calculations**

• Gravity loads (dead loads from materials, live loads from occupancy)
• Lateral loads (wind forces, seismic activity)
• Soil bearing capacity
• Load path analysis from roof to foundation

**System Selection & Optimization**

• Wood frame construction (most Pomona residential)
• Steel frame (commercial and industrial)
• Concrete construction (tilt-up warehouses, multi-family)
• Hybrid systems combining multiple materials

**Connection Design**

• Foundation to framing connections
• Beam-to-column connections
• Shear wall anchorage
• Seismic hold-down devices
• Roof-to-wall connections

**Site Development Planning**

• Grading and drainage design
• Stormwater management (critical for compliance with LA County requirements)
• Utility coordination (water, sewer, gas, electric)
• Access and circulation planning
• ADA accessibility compliance

**Stormwater Management**

• Detention and retention basins
• Bioswales and rain gardens
• Underground storage systems
• Water quality treatment measures

**Utility Engineering**

• Water service sizing and routing
• Sewer lateral design
• Storm drain connections
• Dry utility coordination (gas, electric, telecom)

**Mechanical Systems**

• Heating and cooling load calculations
• Equipment selection
• Ductwork layout and sizing
• Ventilation requirements
• Energy efficiency optimization per Title 24

**Electrical Systems**

• Service size calculations
• Panel schedules and circuit layouts
• Lighting design and controls
• Emergency power systems
• Solar PV integration

**Plumbing Systems**

• Fixture unit calculations
• Pipe sizing and routing
• Water heater selection
• Grease trap design (commercial kitchens)
• Backflow prevention

**Client Consultation**

• Project goals and functional requirements
• Budget constraints and timeline
• Aesthetic preferences (coordination with architect)
• Sustainability objectives
• Regulatory requirements

**Site Investigation**

• Existing site conditions and topography
• Soil characteristics (geotechnical report review)
• Utility availability and capacity
• Access and staging considerations
• Environmental constraints

**Code Research**

• California Building Code (CBC)
• Pomona Municipal Code amendments
• Title 24 energy requirements
• Fire code requirements
• Accessibility standards (ADA, CBC Chapter 11B)

**Preliminary Engineering**

• Structural system selection
• Foundation type determination
• Major mechanical and electrical systems
• Site layout and grading strategy

**Feasibility Analysis**

• Technical feasibility assessment
• Cost estimating
• Schedule development
• Risk identification

**Coordination**

• Architects
• Other engineering disciplines
• Contractors (design-build projects)
• Building officials (pre-submittal meetings)

**Engineering Calculations**

• Structural calculations (loads, member sizing, connections)
• Energy compliance calculations (Title 24)
• Hydraulic calculations (plumbing, fire sprinklers)
• Electrical load calculations

**Construction Documents**

• Foundation plans
• Structural framing plans
• MEP layouts and schedules
• Details and sections
• Technical specifications
• Construction notes

**Quality Control**

• Internal plan checks
• Coordination between disciplines
• Code compliance verification
• Constructability review

**Permit Submittal**

• Signed and stamped engineering drawings
• Supporting calculations
• Energy compliance documentation
• Soils reports
• Special inspection requirements

**Plan Check Response**

• Clarifying design intent
• Providing additional calculations
• Revising plans as needed
• Coordinating with other disciplines

**Construction Support**

• Responding to contractor RFIs (Requests for Information)
• Reviewing shop drawings and submittals
• Conducting site observations
• Approving field modifications
• Coordinating special inspections

**Seismic Design Requirements**

• Enhanced seismic force-resisting systems
• Special moment frames or shear walls
• Rigorous connection design
• Soft-story analysis for multi-level buildings

Design engineers must account for ground motion from:

• San Andreas Fault (approximately 15 miles northeast)
• Sierra Madre Fault Zone
• Puente Hills Fault

**Soil Conditions**

• Alluvial soils in valley areas (generally good bearing capacity)
• Potential for liquefaction in some areas
• Expansive clays in certain locations
• Variable groundwater levels

**Climate Considerations**

• High cooling loads (summer temperatures often 90-100°F)
• Moderate heating requirements (mild winters)
• Low humidity (impacts material selection)
• Intense sun exposure (affects building orientation and shading)

**Hillside Development**

• Steep slope foundation design
• Retaining wall engineering
• Drainage and erosion control
• Wildfire-resistant construction (Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones)

**Institutional Projects**

• Educational facility design
• Student housing engineering
• Athletic facility structures
• Campus infrastructure

**Residential Development**

• Custom home engineering
• Hillside lot development
• Pool and spa structural design
• Retaining wall systems

**Commercial Centers**

• Retail center engineering
• Restaurant and service business facilities
• Medical office buildings
• Mixed-use developments

Focuses exclusively on structural systems:

• Building frame design
• Foundation engineering
• Seismic retrofitting
• Structural inspections and assessments

Specializes in site development:

• Grading and drainage
• Stormwater management
• Utility design
• Roadway and parking design

Concentrates on building systems:

• HVAC design
• Electrical distribution
• Plumbing systems
• Fire protection

Focuses on green building:

• Energy modeling and optimization
• LEED certification support
• Renewable energy integration
• Water conservation systems

**Small Residential (1,000-2,500 sq ft)**

• Structural design only: $2,500-$5,000
• Full engineering (structural + civil): $3,500-$7,000
• Complex sites: $5,000-$10,000

**Medium Residential (2,500-4,500 sq ft)**

• Structural design only: $5,000-$9,000
• Full engineering: $7,000-$13,000
• Custom homes with complex features: $10,000-$20,000

**Large Residential (4,500+ sq ft)**

• Structural design only: $9,000-$16,000
• Full engineering: $13,000-$25,000
• Luxury custom homes: $20,000-$45,000+

**Project Complexity**

• Simple buildings: Baseline cost
• Complex geometries: +25-40%
• Specialized systems: +30-60%
• Multiple buildings: +20-35%

**Site Conditions**

• Flat sites with good soil: Baseline cost
• Sloped sites: +15-30%
• Poor soil conditions: +20-45%
• Hillside locations: +30-70%

**Schedule Requirements**

• Standard timeline (4-8 weeks): Baseline cost
• Expedited service (2-4 weeks): +25-40%
• Rush service (under 2 weeks): +50-80%

**Professional Licensing**

• Active California PE license (check at bpelsg.ca.gov)
• Appropriate discipline (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical)
• Professional liability insurance
• No disciplinary actions

**Relevant Experience**

• Portfolio of similar projects
• Local Pomona/LA County experience
• Knowledge of applicable codes and standards
• Successful permit approval track record

**Technical Expertise**

• Current software proficiency (AutoCAD, Revit, structural analysis programs)
• Understanding of modern construction methods
• Knowledge of sustainable design practices
• Familiarity with building information modeling (BIM)

**Regulatory Familiarity**

• City of Pomona Building & Safety Department procedures
• Local plan check processes and timelines
• Common review comments and how to address them
• Relationships with building officials

**Regional Conditions**

• Seismic design requirements for the region
• Soil conditions throughout eastern LA County
• Climate considerations for system design
• Local contractor capabilities and preferences

**Effective Communication**

• Explain technical concepts clearly
• Respond promptly to questions
• Provide regular project updates
• Welcome client input and feedback

**Team Collaboration**

• Architects and other designers
• Other engineering disciplines
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Building officials and inspectors

We provide complete design engineering across all disciplines:

• Structural engineering
• Civil engineering
• MEP coordination
• Sustainable design
• Specialty engineering

We serve all of eastern Los Angeles County including:

• Pomona
• Claremont
• La Verne
• San Dimas
• Diamond Bar
• Walnut
• Rowland Heights
• West Covina
• Covina
• And all surrounding cities

Our Pomona-area projects have achieved:

• 98% first-time permit approval rate
• Average 3-5 week permit processing time
• Consistent on-budget and on-schedule delivery
• Zero structural failures or safety issues
• High client satisfaction and referral rates

**Serving All of Eastern LA County:**

• Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas
• Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights
• West Covina, Covina, Glendora
• And all surrounding areas