Lead Designer

About the Role

As a Designer, you’ll support HVAC and/or plumbing system design and coordination from early concept through construction, translating owner needs and contract documents into accurate, buildable design packages. You’ll perform system calculations and equipment selections, develop drawings and specifications for pricing and field use, and coordinate closely with estimating and operations to improve constructability and reduce rework. This role contributes to design-build, design-assist, and plan-and-spec work by producing high-quality deliverables, participating in coordination efforts, and incorporating feedback from the project team.

Responsibilities

• Support project-level design coordination, including alignment with estimating, project management, prefabrication, and field supervision.
• Produce and self-check drawings, calculations, and selections to meet applicable codes, standards, and company design practices.
• Use established design standards, templates, and workflows; provide suggestions for improvements based on project lessons learned.
• Collaborate with engineers and designers to resolve questions, incorporate feedback, and maintain drawing/specification quality and constructability.
• Design and analyze mechanical and plumbing systems for commercial and industrial buildings.
• Determine appropriate design strategy for new systems and alterations to existing systems with a focus on customer requirements, cost, schedule, and installation challenges.
• Perform HVAC load calculations, generate engineering layout of systems and equipment selections.
• Develop design documentation including drawings and specifications to be used for pricing.
• Work with construction manager and other engineers to complete partial designs and provide constructability input.
• Conduct site walks/surveys as needed to verify existing conditions and incorporate field constraints into design.
• Coordinate design intent with internal partners (construction, estimating, and execution teams) to improve constructability and reduce rework.
• Support the design-assist process by identifying gaps, conflicts, and clarifications in the documents and assisting with RFIs and design questions as needed.
• Assist with submittal and shop drawing review as requested to confirm alignment with design intent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Architectural Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience)
• 2+ years of HVAC and/or plumbing design experience in commercial/industrial construction (design-build or design-assist preferred)
• Working knowledge of HVAC and/or plumbing systems, applicable codes, and industry standards
• Ability to perform HVAC load calculations (Carrier HAP or equivalent) and/or plumbing design calculations as applicable
• Proficiency drafting in AutoCAD MEP (or comparable CAD platform); ability to produce drawings and specifications suitable for pricing and field execution

Required Skills

• Preferred: working proficiency in Revit (Mechanical) / BIM environment
• Strong document review/editing skills using Bluebeam Revu (or comparable PDF markup tools)
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents (drawings, specifications, addenda) and identify scope gaps, conflicts, and coordination concerns
• Basic understanding of construction means and methods; willingness to visit job sites as needed to support design development and constructability
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with internal teams, subcontractors, vendors, and customers