Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description
The Mechanical Design Engineer leads the design of critical refrigeration components and systems for large cold storage warehouses. This role drives the development of high-performance, compliant, and efficient mechanical systems by working closely with fabrication, construction, and procurement teams. The engineer applies strong mechanical and refrigeration engineering principles to create detailed designs, support installation activities, and contribute to continuous improvement and technical leadership within a rapidly growing engineering organization.
Responsibilities

• Lead the design of mechanical rooms, rooftop penthouses, piping systems, and other industrial refrigeration components for cold storage facilities.
• Perform advanced engineering calculations, including thermal analysis, tolerance stack-ups, and structural evaluations to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Develop detailed mechanical designs that comply with internal standards, client requirements, and applicable regulatory codes and guidelines.
• Create and submit detailed drawings for review, and coordinate design updates with leadership and build teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide on-site and remote technical support during system installation and commissioning, troubleshooting design-related issues as needed.
• Generate accurate Bills of Materials (BOM) and enter specifications and part data into the ERP system to support procurement and production planning.
• Collaborate closely with fabrication teams, providing clear and detailed guidance to ensure accurate and efficient builds that align with design intent.
• Coordinate with purchasing to ensure materials, components, and equipment are properly specified, sourced, and ordered in a timely manner.
• Communicate with vendors regarding part specifications, manufacturing requirements, and technical clarifications to ensure quality and compatibility.
• Occasionally mentor junior engineers, sharing best practices, reviewing their work, and supporting their technical development.
• Contribute to project coordination efforts, including design reviews, change order support, and alignment with overall project engineering objectives.
• Apply knowledge of heat transfer, refrigeration, and HVAC principles to optimize system performance and energy efficiency.
• Demonstrate engineering leadership capabilities by taking ownership of design packages, driving decisions, and proactively resolving technical challenges.
• Travel occasionally to job sites as needed to support installation, verify field conditions, and collaborate with construction and operations teams.
• Adhere to safety, environmental, and quality standards in all aspects of design and engineering work.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME required) or equivalent mechanical engineering experience.
• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in mechanical system or mechanical design engineering.
• Ideally 2-3 years of experience in mechanical design for large-scale industrial refrigeration or related projects such as HVAC, commercial refrigeration, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for mechanical design and drafting.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD tools for mechanical modeling.
• Strong grasp of mechanical engineering and refrigeration engineering principles, including heat transfer and fluid flow.
• Ability to perform advanced engineering calculations, including thermal analysis, tolerance dimensions, and structural evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Capability and interest in providing engineering leadership and taking ownership of design deliverables.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position (seated or standing) for extended periods while performing design and engineering work.
• Ability to occasionally lift or carry items up to 25 pounds, such as office supplies or small equipment.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams, vendors, and field personnel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in sheet metal and pipe fabrication, including understanding of fabrication methods and tolerances.
• Experience with refrigeration systems, HVAC, or MEP design in an industrial or commercial environment.
• Expertise in ammonia and CO2-based refrigeration systems, including familiarity with related safety and environmental regulations.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) license.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or strong interest in pursuing PE licensure.
• Experience with project engineering and project coordination, including change order support and cross-functional communication.
• Background in designing heat transfer products or systems.
• Experience with ERP systems for entering specifications and generating Bills of Materials.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when preparing drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• Motivation to grow into higher-level engineering leadership roles as the mechanical group expands.

Work Environment
This role is based at a headquarters location with approximately 380 employees, including around 80 engineers and 120 operations staff, within a company that has doubled in size over the last five years. The organization designs, fabricates, and installs customized, turn-key industrial refrigeration systems for large cold storage and industrial facilities. The mechanical engineering group currently consists of about 30-35 engineers and is expected to grow to 45-50 engineers by mid-2027, offering significant opportunities for advancement and leadership. Work is primarily performed in an office or engineering environment using tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software, and an ERP system for specifications and Bills of Materials. Occasional travel to job sites is required to support installation and field coordination. The culture emphasizes professional development, training, and internal growth, with structured opportunities such as apprenticeship programs and advancement pathways. Employees receive weekly pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a retirement plan with a generous company match, health insurance with a substantial employer-paid portion for employee and family coverage, dental and vision insurance, supplemental insurance options, short-term and long-term disability coverage, accidental death and dismemberment coverage after one year, and life insurance coverage after one year. The organization offers competitive vacation and holiday pay, referral incentives, and various discounts on cell phone plans, rental vehicles, and other services for eligible positions. A performance-based bonus structure around 10% and strong growth prospects contribute to a dynamic, career-oriented work environment.
Interested? Questions? Reach out to Recruiter Sophia Fontana using this link:
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Charlottesville, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
IRS benefits listed above as this is a direct hire
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Charlottesville,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


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