HVAC Installation Lead Mechanical Engineer -- Industrial Commissioning

Step into Apple Grove, WV, where a cutting-edge steel manufacturing facility is moving from commissioning to full operation. As the HVAC Installation Lead Mechanical Engineer, you’ll take end-to-end ownership of a capital installation spanning PLC and control rooms and plant-wide HVAC systems. Your decisions on sequencing, layout, and methods will directly influence uptime, safety, and energy efficiency.

Your morning starts on the plant floor—PPE on, drawings in hand—aligning contractors and internal trades before production ramps. You verify environmental targets for PLC and control rooms (temperature, humidity, filtration, positive pressure), clear a clash between duct routing and cable trays with millwrights and electricians, and adjust the day’s plan to prevent disruption to ongoing steel production. By afternoon, you’re validating test-and-balance results, updating the schedule and materials log, and briefing site leadership on risks before they touch the critical path.

• Lead on-site installation of HVAC units across the facility, including PLC and control rooms, meeting engineering specifications, applicable codes, and site safety standards.
• Serve as the central point of contact for all HVAC/mechanical installation activities; coordinate vendors, contractors, and internal trades.
• Build and manage the installation schedule; sequence tasks to minimize impact to live production.
• Partner with site leadership to align installation methods with how the plant actually operates; recommend changes to sequencing, layout, or approach to support efficiency goals.
• Interpret and apply mechanical drawings, HVAC schematics, P&IDs, and PLC room specifications to guide field execution.
• Troubleshoot installation conflicts in real time, collaborating across electricians, millwrights, and controls technicians.
• Ensure PLC/control room environmental requirements are met to protect sensitive equipment (temperature, humidity, filtration, positive pressure).
• Track progress, budget, and material logistics; proactively escalate risks before they affect schedule.
• Support commissioning and startup activities, including testing, balancing, and handoff documentation.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA, local codes, and client safety protocols throughout the project.

• 5 years of mechanical engineering experience within industrial/manufacturing environments (steel, metals, or heavy industrial strongly preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proven leadership of HVAC installations from planning through commissioning.
• Working knowledge of PLC/control room environmental and infrastructure needs.
• Fluency in reading and applying mechanical/HVAC drawings, P&IDs, and equipment specifications in the field.
• Comfort operating on active construction sites and plant floors; skilled at coordinating across multiple trades and contractors.
• Clear communicator with the judgment to advise leadership on trade-offs and practical recommendations.
• Available to work on-site full-time in Apple Grove, WV.

• Background in steel, aluminum, or other heavy metals manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Allen Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms from an environmental/installation standpoint.
• PE license, or active pursuit of licensure.
• Experience managing subcontractors and using project schedules (e.g., MS Project).
• OSHA 30 certification.

On-site, full-time at an active steel manufacturing facility in Apple Grove, WV. Regular plant-floor presence with exposure to heat, noise, and heavy machinery. Standard PPE required.