Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer
Job Description
This role focuses on the mechanical design of facility and building systems, with a strong emphasis on HVAC and plumbing for both new construction and renovation projects. The Mechanical Engineer will perform heating and cooling load calculations, develop designs in Revit and AutoCAD, and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to grow within a leading architecture and engineering firm, gain exposure to a wide range of project types, and receive mentorship and support for professional training and certifications.
Responsibilities

• Design HVAC systems for facilities and buildings, including both new construction and renovation projects.
• Perform detailed heating and cooling load calculations to support mechanical system sizing and selection.
• Develop mechanical and plumbing designs using Revit, ensuring accurate and coordinated building information models.
• Prepare and update drawings and documentation in AutoCAD as needed to support project deliverables.
• Design plumbing systems in coordination with HVAC and other building systems for a variety of building types.
• Collaborate with architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and other engineers in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with other disciplines to ensure integrated and constructible solutions.
• Interact directly with clients to discuss HVAC and mechanical design concepts, project requirements, and design progress.
• Support project management activities, including tracking design progress, assisting with schedules, and contributing to project documentation.
• Contribute to the full life cycle of engineering services, from planning and design through procurement and maintenance support.
• Participate in design reviews and quality checks to ensure compliance with project standards and industry best practices.
• Leverage Revit proficiency to produce high-quality, well-organized models and drawings for mechanical systems.
• Work on a variety of project types, including multifamily, institutional, cultural, government, and corporate interiors.
• Collaborate with engineering staff in other offices through shared technology and coordinated project workflows.

Essential Skills

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
• 2-10 years of applicable experience in mechanical engineering for buildings.
• Facility and building HVAC design experience.
• Experience performing heating and cooling load calculations.
• At least 2 years of hands-on Revit experience.
• Working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD for mechanical and plumbing design.
• Background in HVAC design and plumbing design for buildings.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and HVAC systems.
• Ability to design effectively in Revit and produce coordinated construction documents.
• Ability to interact with clients and discuss HVAC design and project requirements.
• Project management experience or exposure within building design projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Interest in ongoing professional development, including training and certifications supported by the employer.
• Desire to be mentored and to grow within a team-oriented engineering environment.
• Comfort working on multifamily, institutional, cultural, government, and corporate interior projects.
• Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary firm that includes architecture, interiors, landscape, and engineering.
• Interest in exposure to the full life cycle of engineering services, from consulting and planning to design and maintenance support.
• Strong communication skills for coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and contribute to flexible project schedules.

Work Environment
The Mechanical Engineer will work in a Washington, DC office of approximately 30 people within a larger, multi-office architecture and engineering organization. The main engineering staff is based in Minneapolis, with additional offices in Chicago and Dallas, and the DC office is actively building its engineering team. You will work closely with a Senior Engineer with over 10 years of experience and benefit from a strong backlog of projects. About 60% of the work involves multifamily projects, while the remaining 40% includes institutional, cultural, government (federal and state), and corporate interiors. The firm operates as a multidisciplinary practice, integrating architecture, interiors, landscape, and engineering under one roof, and provides engineering services that span consulting, full life cycle planning, and design and maintenance support. The environment emphasizes work-life balance, flexible schedules, and the use of updated technology that enables collaboration and work sharing across offices. The firm actively mentors engineers and pays for relevant training and certifications, offering a supportive and growth-oriented workplace.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $100000.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Washington,DC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 2, 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 click.appcast.io 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.