Senior Mechanical Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Step into a senior leadership role where you'll drive large-scale commercial HVAC construction projects for an established mechanical contractor with a strong presence in San Diego. This is a high-impact opportunity to own complex mechanical projects from concept to completion, working closely with in-house engineering, BIM, fabrication, and field teams. If you excel at leading teams, managing risk, and delivering technically demanding projects on time and on budget, this role is designed for you.

About the Role:

As the Senior Mechanical Project Manager - Commercial HVAC Construction, you will take full ownership of major commercial mechanical projects, overseeing all phases from preconstruction and budgeting through installation, commissioning, and closeout. You will serve as the central point of coordination between clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders, ensuring that mechanical systems are delivered to specification, on schedule, and within budget. Your leadership will directly influence project profitability, client satisfaction, and the long-term success of the company's San Diego portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead commercial HVAC and mechanical construction projects from award through completion, ensuring scope, schedule, and quality objectives are met.
• Oversee project planning, detailed scheduling (e.g., MS Project, Primavera), labor forecasting, and resource allocation for multiple concurrent projects or one large complex project.
• Manage project budgets, cost control, procurement, and financial reporting, including tracking committed costs, change orders, and forecasted margins.
• Direct construction and installation oversight for mechanical systems, including HVAC equipment, sheet metal, ductwork, hydronic piping, and controls, in coordination with field leadership.
• Conduct risk assessment and mitigation planning for complex projects, identifying technical, schedule, and financial risks and implementing corrective actions.
• Coordinate closely with owners, general contractors, engineers, subcontractors, and cross-disciplinary internal teams (BIM, engineering, fabrication, prefabrication) to resolve design and installation issues.
• Review and manage contracts, drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and change orders, ensuring compliance with project requirements and California building codes and local regulations.
• Lead project meetings and maintain clear stakeholder and client communication, including progress updates, issue resolution, and punch-list and closeout coordination.
• Partner with field teams to monitor productivity, safety, and quality, supporting testing, balancing, commissioning, and final turnover.
• Mentor and guide Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and Project Engineers, providing direction, feedback, and support for their professional development.

Key Requirements:

• Extensive experience in commercial mechanical construction project management, with a focus on HVAC and related mechanical systems.
• Proven track record managing full project lifecycles for a mechanical contractor, from preconstruction and buyout through installation and closeout.
• Strong mechanical engineering design understanding, enabling effective review of plans, coordination drawings, and system layouts.
• Demonstrated ability in budgeting, cost control, financial reporting, and management of project cash flow and profitability.
• Proficiency with project planning and scheduling tools (such as MS Project, Primavera) and standard construction project-management software.
• Solid knowledge of California building codes, mechanical codes, and local San Diego regulations relevant to commercial HVAC construction.
• Advanced skills in stakeholder and client communication management, including negotiation, issue resolution, and relationship building.
• Proven team leadership and cross-disciplinary coordination capabilities, including directing field crews and collaborating with design, BIM, and fabrication teams.
• Ability to manage multiple mid-size projects or one large, complex mechanical project in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with design-build and design-assist delivery methods for large-scale HVAC and mechanical projects.
• Familiarity with BIM coordination, prefabrication strategies, and integrated project delivery workflows.
• Background managing projects in one or more of the following sectors: commercial/industrial facilities, government/military, hospitality/assisted living, multifamily/high-rise residen