Senior Mechanical Engineer, HVAC

Job Description

The Senior Mechanical Engineer – HVAC is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and mechanical building systems throughout all phases of project execution. This role leads the preparation of HVAC drawings, specifications, calculations, equipment selections, and analytical models while ensuring compliance with applicable codes, industry standards, energy requirements, and project objectives.

Working with increasing independence, the Senior Mechanical Engineer serves as a technical leader for HVAC system design, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop coordinated, energy-efficient, and constructible mechanical systems. The role supports successful project execution through technical leadership, construction administration, scope management, quality assurance, and risk evaluation while delivering innovative and sustainable HVAC solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a technical leader within the HVAC engineering team.
• Provides mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and designers while supporting professional development and knowledge sharing.
• May lead project-specific engineering teams and coordinate HVAC engineering work assignments to support successful project delivery.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and production of HVAC engineering deliverables, including drawings, specifications, calculations, equipment selections, load analyses, and technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Design heating, ventilation, air conditioning, hydronic, refrigeration, exhaust, smoke control, and mechanical equipment systems in accordance with applicable codes, standards, energy requirements, and project objectives.
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations, ventilation analyses, equipment sizing, duct and pipe sizing, energy evaluations, and system performance analyses.
• Select and specify HVAC equipment, including air handling units, rooftop units, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, terminal units, pumps, and associated mechanical equipment.
• Coordinate HVAC system layouts with plumbing, structural, architectural, electrical, fire protection, and controls disciplines to ensure integrated and constructible building designs.
• Prepare and review coordinated 2D drawings and 3D models using computer-aided design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms.
• Review HVAC engineering deliverables to ensure compliance with project quality standards, coordination requirements, constructability expectations, and applicable mechanical and energy codes.
• Lead construction administration activities, including reviewing shop drawings and submittals, responding to Requests for Information (RFIs), conducting site visits, evaluating field conditions, supporting commissioning activities, and assisting with project closeout.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, commissioning agents, utility providers, and project stakeholders to develop coordinated and high-performing HVAC solutions.
• Assist project managers with scope management, budgeting, scheduling, technical risk evaluation, and quality control related to HVAC system design.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve complex HVAC design challenges while balancing occupant comfort, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, maintainability, resilience, and lifecycle costs.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of sustainable building strategies, including high-performance HVAC systems, energy recovery, decarbonization initiatives, electrification, heat recovery, and compliance with applicable energy and green building standards.
• Participate in professional development activities and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering standards, design processes, and technical best practices.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent engineering discipline) required.
• 6 years of experience designing HVAC systems for commercial, institutional, healthcare, industrial, mission-critical, or advanced technology facilities required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Active NCEES Record for licensure maintenance preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, hydronic, refrigeration, and mechanical equipment systems for commercial building projects.
• Strong understanding of the International Mechanical Code (IMC), ASHRAE standards, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), applicable NFPA standards, and local building codes.
• Proficiency with HVAC load calculation software, energy modeling tools, CAD/BIM platforms, and industry-standard engineering design software.
• Experience coordinating HVAC systems within multidisciplinary BIM environments and participating in clash detection and constructability reviews.
• Strong knowledge of construction administration practices, submittal review, field coordination, commissioning, and project delivery methods.
• Excellent analytical, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities while working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  
  

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.

Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore unique paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.

Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers.