What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineer (Engineer IV) position at Fairfax County Government?
Job Announcement
$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*
This position includes a sign-on bonus of $5,000 for new county hires.
We are seeking a highly skilled senior mechanical engineer / project manager to lead the development and execution of complex capital and non-capital projects in occupied county facilities. This role provides senior level leadership under the general direction of the project coordinator (principal engineer) and/or the division director of Design, Engineering, and Construction.
The successful candidate will manage largescale or multiple simultaneous mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and building automation projects that require close coordination across county departments and stakeholder groups. This is an excellent opportunity for a licensed professional engineer who thrives in a collaborative, technically challenging environment.
Key Responsibilities
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following :(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architectural field; plus, four years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field. Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license is required.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
BONUS ELIGIBILITY:
Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to climb ladders, access tight spaces, crawl, reach, lift 25 lbs, push 25lbs, etc. Dexterity to use hand tools. Must be able to access facility equipment and equipment rooms. Must be able to communicate by phone. Must be mobile to access active construction sites. Must communicate with others verbally and in writing. Must drive a motor vehicle. Vision to see detail drawings, construction and discern color. Ability to work with extended exposure to outside environment including harsh weather as well as inside environments of extreme heat and cold. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Note: This job announcement is listed with a closing date of 6/26/26, and interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process may close prior to the currently advertised closing date when the position has been filled.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*
This position includes a sign-on bonus of $5,000 for new county hires.
We are seeking a highly skilled senior mechanical engineer / project manager to lead the development and execution of complex capital and non-capital projects in occupied county facilities. This role provides senior level leadership under the general direction of the project coordinator (principal engineer) and/or the division director of Design, Engineering, and Construction.
The successful candidate will manage largescale or multiple simultaneous mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and building automation projects that require close coordination across county departments and stakeholder groups. This is an excellent opportunity for a licensed professional engineer who thrives in a collaborative, technically challenging environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Serves as the primary Fairfax County representative leading design projects and resolving construction issues.
- Establishes project objectives and performance standards to ensure high-quality engineering solutions.
- Performs complex professional engineering work involving the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of HVAC, Building Automation Systems (BAS), and plumbing systems for new construction, renovations, and capital renewal projects.
- Conducts detailed review and analysis of engineering plans, specifications, and code compliance for HVAC and plumbing systems.
- Acts as a subject matter expert within FMD and for multiple county departments and agencies.
- Prepares and reviews mechanical engineering calculations, reports, construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and project budgets.
- Signs and seals engineering work products in accordance with licensure requirements.
- Ensures all assigned projects are completed on time, meet FMD and industry quality standards, and remain financially and operationally efficient.
- Manages complex projects in occupied commercial or institutional environments.
- Leverages a strong technical background, excellence in design, attention to detail and quality control to perform and review mechanical engineering calculations, reports, construction drawings, specifications, schedules and budgets for commercial building mechanical, plumbing systems, and building automation systems.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following :(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architectural field; plus, four years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field. Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license is required.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license. An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption to this requirement pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding that individual's application for reciprocity.
- Valid driver's license
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
BONUS ELIGIBILITY:
Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Valid Professional Mechanical Engineer license in the state of Virginia.
- 5 Plus years’ experience as a lead Mechanical P.E. in commercial building HVAC, Building Automation, and plumbing design, construction and energy management.
- 3 Years’ experience as the lead Mechanical P.E, in authoring and producing design and specification of HVAC, building automation system, and plumbing systems for commercial mission critical buildings.
- Experience for designing and construction of life cycle mechanical systems and component replacement in occupied mission critical commercial buildings.
- Strong background in energy management informing, validating and optimizing commercial building mechanical, automation and plumbing systems design and operation.
- Strong contract management skills.
Ability to climb ladders, access tight spaces, crawl, reach, lift 25 lbs, push 25lbs, etc. Dexterity to use hand tools. Must be able to access facility equipment and equipment rooms. Must be able to communicate by phone. Must be mobile to access active construction sites. Must communicate with others verbally and in writing. Must drive a motor vehicle. Vision to see detail drawings, construction and discern color. Ability to work with extended exposure to outside environment including harsh weather as well as inside environments of extreme heat and cold. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Note: This job announcement is listed with a closing date of 6/26/26, and interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process may close prior to the currently advertised closing date when the position has been filled.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
Salary : $87,025 - $145,042