Senior Mechanical Engineer - Future Mechanical Director

Job Description

Location: Downtown Chicago, IL

\n

Base Salary: $150,000–$170,000 + Bonus Opportunities

\n

Schedule: Monday–Thursday In Office | Flexible Hours

\n

\n

About the Opportunity:

\n

We're partnering with an established multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm to hire a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a clear path to becoming Mechanical Director for its Chicago office.

\n

\n

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced mechanical engineer with a strong background in HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical building systems design who enjoys technical project ownership and is interested in progressing into a leadership role.

\n

\n

Key Responsibilities:

\n

\n
• Lead HVAC and plumbing system design for commercial, residential, and institutional buildings.
\n
• Design mechanical systems including air handling units, rooftop units, VAV systems, boilers, chillers, pumps, and hydronic distribution systems.
\n
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations, equipment sizing, and mechanical system selection.
\n
• Design and oversee domestic water distribution, sanitary drainage, venting, and stormwater systems.
\n
• Develop mechanical drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, and construction documentation.
\n
• Utilize Revit and Trane TRACE for mechanical design and load calculations.
\n
• Coordinate with architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, and other project stakeholders.
\n
• Lead projects from conceptual design through construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, and site observations.
\n
• Mentor junior mechanical engineers and designers.
\n
• Help grow the Chicago mechanical engineering department with the opportunity to transition into the Mechanical Director role.
\n

\n

\n

Qualifications:

\n

\n
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
\n
• 8+ years of HVAC and plumbing design experience.
\n
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
\n
• Strong MEP consulting or architectural engineering background.
\n
• Experience with HVAC equipment selection, mechanical system design, and building plumbing systems.
\n
• Proficiency in Revit, Trane TRACE, and Microsoft Office.
\n
• Experience managing projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
\n
• Strong communication, client-facing, and leadership skills.
\n
• Interest in eventually leading and growing a mechanical department.
\n

\n

\n

Project Types

\n

\n
• Multifamily residential
\n
• Student housing
\n
• Senior living communities
\n
• Government and municipal facilities
\n
• Commercial and mixed-use buildings
\n

\n

\n

Compensation & Benefits

\n

\n
• Base Salary: $150,000–$170,000, depending on experience.
\n
• Quarterly Bonus: Opportunities up to 5%.
\n
• Director-Level Bonus: Additional bonus potential as leadership responsibilities increase.
\n
• Career Progression: Clear opportunity to grow from Senior Mechanical Engineer into Mechanical Director.
\n
• Flexible Schedule: Monday–Thursday in office with flexible working hours.
\n
• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor engineers and help expand the mechanical department.
\n
• Collaborative Environment: Chicago office of approximately 30 employees, supported by a larger multidisciplinary organization.
\n
• Project Ownership: Opportunity to lead technically complex projects and develop client relationships.
\n

\n

\n

If you're a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a PE license, strong HVAC and plumbing design experience, and an interest in progressing into leadership, we'd love to connect!

\n