Project Manager / Senior Project Manager -- Mechanical HVAC (Central Utility Plant)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Project Manager / Project Manager — Mechanical HVAC (Central Utility Plant)

Job Description

This role leads large-scale HVAC mechanical construction projects within a major airport environment, with a strong focus on Central Utility Plant (CUP) systems and chilled water infrastructure. The Project Manager / Project Manager takes full ownership of project performance, including P&L, budgets, and change orders, while coordinating union mechanical labor and driving execution across multiple terminals. The position combines a strong field presence with strategic oversight, offering significant visibility, long-term project continuity, and the opportunity to contribute within a collaborative, employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale HVAC and mechanical construction projects valued at $25M+ within an airport infrastructure environment.
• Manage Central Utility Plant (CUP) systems, including chilled water systems, chiller plants, and related plant systems, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
• Own project P&L, including budgeting, cost control, forecasting, and financial reporting to ensure projects meet profitability targets.
• Prepare, negotiate, and manage change orders, ensuring accurate documentation and timely approval in alignment with contract requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee union labor, particularly sheet metal and other mechanical trades, ensuring effective field execution and compliance with union requirements.
• Manage multiple concurrent airport terminal projects, balancing priorities, resources, and schedules across a multi-project portfolio.
• Drive project execution across field operations, engineering teams, subcontractors, and stakeholders to meet schedule, budget, safety, and quality goals.
• Review and interpret contract drawings, specifications, RFIs, and design documents to ensure accurate scope understanding and constructability.
• Collaborate with project engineering and construction management teams to align design intent with field installation and commissioning activities.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage milestones and critical path activities.
• Oversee construction costs, scheduling, estimating, and engineering principles as they relate to mechanical systems and central plant operations.
• Utilize construction technology tools such as Autodesk Build/ACC Build, Navisworks, Revit, and Bluebeam for coordination, documentation, and project control.
• Lead project meetings with owners, consultants, subcontractors, and internal teams, providing clear communication on progress, risks, and action plans.
• Identify and resolve conflicts and field issues proactively, working with design and construction teams to implement practical solutions.
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, codes, standards, and company procedures across all project activities.
• Maintain a strong field presence by regularly visiting job sites, inspecting work, monitoring safety and quality, and supporting field leadership.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, implementing organizational systems and processes to track deliverables and performance metrics.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project managers, project engineers, and field teams, fostering a collaborative, low-ego culture.
• Coordinate closely with superintendents and field staff to align manpower, equipment, and materials with project schedules and priorities.
• Prepare and present project status updates, financial reports, and performance summaries to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Support design-build project environments by collaborating with designers, engineers, and trade partners to optimize mechanical solutions.
• Travel between multiple airport terminals and project sites as needed to support active projects and stakeholder coordination.
• Maintain required documentation, including RFIs, submittals, change logs, meeting minutes, and close-out packages in accordance with company standards.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale HVAC mechanical construction projects valued at $25M+.
• Central Utility Plant (CUP) experience, including management of chiller plants, chilled water systems, and plant systems (required).
• Mechanical subcontractor project management experience, rather than general contractor-only experience (required).
• Proven ownership of project P&L, including budgets, financial controls, and change order management.
• Experience coordinating and managing union labor, with sheet metal union experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction and engineering design concepts related to mechanical and HVAC systems.
• Extensive knowledge of construction costs, scheduling, estimating, engineering principles, mechanical systems, and accounting systems.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting contract drawings, specifications, and related construction documents.
• Project management experience in commercial or industrial mechanical construction environments.
• Ability to manage RFIs, project engineering workflows, and construction documentation processes.
• Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with owners, engineers, field staff, and executives.
• Proven ability to resolve conflicts and solve problems in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Demonstrated ability to stay well organized and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Above-average computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to use scheduling, cost, and construction software programs such as Autodesk Build/ACC Build, Navisworks, Revit, and Bluebeam.
• Physical agility to climb ladders and access trenches, attic spaces, and confined spaces as required on construction sites.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing, with the ability to travel to and from multiple project locations.
• Ideally 5–10+ years of mechanical project management experience, with consideration for level candidates who demonstrate strong ownership on large-scale HVAC projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with central utility plants and mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing large-scale HVAC mechanical systems in industrial, airport, or hospital environments.
• Experience working in design-build construction environments, collaborating closely with designers and engineers.
• Prior experience managing union labor environments across mechanical trades.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management (preferred).
• Construction Management degree or equivalent education in a related field.
• Experience delivering airport or large infrastructure projects.
• History of long tenure at prior companies, demonstrating stability and commitment.
• Leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, low ego, and a field-driven mindset.
• Openness to relocation for the right long-term opportunity.
• Strong HVAC with adjacent large-scale project experience, even if not exclusively airport-focused.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid field and office environment based at a major airport, with coverage across multiple terminals and project sites. The position follows a Monday through Friday schedule with a minimum of 40 hours per week, with additional time as needed to support project demands. The work involves regular travel between terminals and active construction sites, requiring a valid driver’s license and comfort working in a dynamic, field-driven setting. The industry focus is union-based mechanical construction, with close collaboration alongside union trades in a large, complex infrastructure environment. The position offers a vehicle allowance and gas card to support travel between sites. The team structure includes project executives, project managers, project engineers, and superintendents working together in a collaborative, low-ego culture. The company operates as a 100% employee-owned ESOP, providing strong ownership upside, a high bonus structure, and long-term backlog, including a multi-decade presence at the airport. The environment emphasizes autonomy, accountability, and field-centric decision-making rather than a heavily corporate atmosphere, offering opportunities to grow with a stable, high-performing team.

This is a Permanent position based out of Cypress, CA.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Murray Company offers a comprehensive benefits package anchored by a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and profit-sharing. Key perks for Southern California employees include 100% company-paid medical coverage for the employee, subsidized family health plans, dental, vision, life insurance, and a matched 401(k).A more detailed breakdown of their offerings includes: Retirement & Ownership: The company is fully employee-owned through its ESOP. All active employees participate in this stock retirement plan, supplemented by a 401(k) with employer matching. Healthcare: Robust health, dental, and vision insurance. The employer covers 100% of the employee's medical premiums, while family members are covered at up to two-thirds paid by the company. Insurance: Company-provided life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability options. Career Development: Ongoing leadership development programs, technical certifications, and a commitment to promoting from within.

This is a fully onsite position in Cypress,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.