Mechanical Engineer (HVAC)

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer (HVAC - Project Execution / Healthcare Focus)
Job Description
This Mechanical Engineer position focuses on HVAC project execution, coordination, and delivery across healthcare and specialty building projects rather than pure design-only work. You will take ownership of active project work, lead HVAC design deliverables for airside and hydronic systems, and ensure that multidisciplinary teams stay aligned and that all project milestones are met. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex healthcare and specialty projects, grow into project leadership, and contribute within a collaborative, multi-discipline engineering environment.
Responsibilities

• Own HVAC design deliverables for airside and hydronic building systems on commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects.
• Execute project work from design through delivery, ensuring that all mechanical engineering tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Coordinate closely with architects, MEP disciplines, and other stakeholders to maintain alignment on design intent, scope, and project timelines.
• Support project schedules and execution timelines by proactively managing workload, priorities, and dependencies across multiple projects.
• Interface directly with clients on active project work, communicating design decisions, progress updates, and resolving technical questions.
• Mentor and support junior engineers, providing guidance on technical design, standards, and best practices while coordinating their contributions to projects.
• Lead and coordinate with production staff to ensure that drawings, models, and documentation are completed to quality standards.
• Run projects with minimal supervision, taking responsibility for coordination, execution, and day-to-day decision-making within your scope.
• Execute work reliably within established timelines, meeting deadlines and reducing the burden on senior engineers by owning project execution.
• Step into active projects quickly with minimal ramp-up, maintaining continuity of work and addressing immediate project needs.
• Work effectively within a team structure, contributing as a mid-level execution-focused engineer rather than seeking immediate leadership elevation.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in an MEP-focused role within an A/E/C consulting environment.
• Demonstrated ability to execute project deliverables, not limited to drafting-only or support roles.
• Strong HVAC mechanical design experience for building systems in commercial, healthcare, or institutional projects.
• Proven project execution and project coordination skills, including managing timelines and deliverables across multiple projects.
• Experience coordinating across disciplines, including architects, MEP teams, and client stakeholders.
• Ability to own project deliverables, work independently, and execute within established deadlines.
• Comfort operating in a mid-level execution role rather than a senior leadership position.
• Mechanical engineering (MEP) background with hands-on HVAC design responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Revit for mechanical design and documentation.
• Experience with project management in an engineering consulting context.
• A/E/C consulting environment experience required; backgrounds limited to manufacturing, facilities, or contractor-only work are not aligned with this role.
• Strong communication skills and confidence in client-facing interactions.
• Experience leading or mentoring junior engineers in a project setting.
• Knowledge of mechanical and plumbing codes relevant to building systems design.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering (required).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Exposure to both HVAC and plumbing systems, with a hybrid MEP background strongly preferred.
• Experience with healthcare and institutional projects, including HCAI-driven healthcare work.
• HVAC and plumbing experience with DSA exposure; 1-2 years of relevant experience is sufficient.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
• Active pursuit of professional licensure is viewed positively.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and supporting team coordination.
• Ability to grow into project leadership roles over time.
• Strong client-facing experience and ability to communicate confidently with project stakeholders.
• Consistent track record of executing work reliably within established timelines and with minimal supervision.

Work Environment
This role is based in Newport Beach, CA, within an office-based engineering design environment that operates on a hybrid schedule, typically around three days onsite and two days remote (final schedule to be confirmed). You will work in a collaborative, multi-discipline team that provides mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, corrosion control, commissioning, and project/construction management services. The work centers on high-impact healthcare projects driven by HCAI requirements and specialty entertainment projects such as theme parks and museums, with no focus on multifamily residential projects. The organization has a long-established presence in the industry, with hundreds of employees across numerous locations and recognition in national engineering firm rankings. The culture emphasizes collaboration, exposure to complex and non-routine projects, and opportunities to grow into project leadership roles. While there is a strong preference for candidates based in Orange County and acceptability for those in areas such as Long Beach, significantly long commutes from regions like the Inland Empire may present retention challenges.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Newport Beach, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $160000.00/yr.
Paid overtime at 1.0 times hourly rate Competitive end of year discretionary bonus based on company/team/personal performance Hybrid Work Schedule (subject to change) 401k with maximum of 5% Contribution Matching for 9% Employee Contribution
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Newport Beach,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 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.


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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.



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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.