Mechanical Engineer

Overview

Nakupuna Companies is seeking to hire a full-time Mechanical Engineer to join our DoWEA Team. Nakupuna Services is seeking a full-time Mechanical Engineer to serve as Key Personnel on our DoWEA Team. The candidate will act as the primary mechanical systems subject matter expert for the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific Region Facility Surveys and Assessments IDIQ contract. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for executing rigorous on-site facility condition assessments of mechanical systems across 45 school campuses on 21 U.S. military installations in Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Guam. This role requires technical precision in evaluating complex facility infrastructure to support DoWEA’s centralized asset management lifecycle and Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (SRM) budgeting.

Responsibilities

Job Duties Include: The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this position, but management may assign additional duties and responsibilities at any time. Specific duties include:

• Facility Condition Assessments: Conduct visual and direct-rating inspections of institutional and commercial facility heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, central boiler/chiller plants, mechanical piping networks, energy management control systems (EMCS), and building hydronics.
• Data Collection & E-SMS Entry: Accurately catalog major mechanical equipment, sectioning components based on material, type, and age. Enter all collected component and condition data into the Enterprise Sustainment Management System (E-SMS) within 90 days of site visits.
• Equipment Identification: Verify and update equipment barcoding/QR codes for major mechanical systems in the field, ensuring compatibility with the Asset Essentials Mobile Application.
• Quality & Deliverable Control: Support the Project Manager in developing accurate Facility Condition Assessment Reports (FCARs) and provide thorough photographic documentation and technical justifications for any mechanical components rated as “Amber (-)” or “Red” (failing/failed).
• Task Order Support: Support the execution of both Triennial (recurring assessment) and Out-of-Cycle Task Orders, deploying flexibly to meet the contract's assessment requirements.

Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications: The ideal candidate must possess strong technical analysis skills and a proven track record in mechanical facility assessments:

• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating complex mechanical systems in commercial or institutional (school) settings.
• Familiarity with USACE Sustainment Management System (SMS) BUILDER methodology and direct-rating inspection methods.
• An active Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT/FE) credential is highly preferred.
• Ability to coordinate logistical requirements and execute technical fieldwork in OCONUS environments.

Education & Experience: To meet contractual Key Personnel requirements, the successful candidate must possess:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of documented experience conducting engineering assessments of institutional and commercial facility mechanical systems.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Work is a mix of traditional office environments and OCONUS site visits, requiring frequent international travel and physical site assessments across military installations and school campuses. Specific physical requirements include:

• Ability and willingness to undertake extensive international travel to U.S. military installations across Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Guam.
• Physical stamina to walk extensively across expansive school campuses, climb stairs, utilize ladders, and safely navigate confined or active mechanical spaces (e.g., boiler rooms, chiller plants, rooftops).
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers (e.g., field data entry using tablets, E-SMS system updates).
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations on active military installations.

Clearance Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. An active DoD Secret clearance is highly preferred. The successful candidate must be able to successfully pass all requisite background checks and maintain necessary credentials to facilitate base access on U.S. military installations overseas.

Work Location: The ideal candidate will reside in or near one of our strategic hubs: Arlington, VA; San Antonio, TX; Charleston, SC; San Diego, CA; or Honolulu, HI. Work is a mix of headquarters/office support and direct performance at DoWEA Pacific Region military installations, requiring periodic, scheduled deployments to Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, and Guam.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $125,000.00 to $140,000.00 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees.