Senior Mechanical Engineer

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high‑impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer who can develop and lead HVAC and process ventilation design for complex, secure, high-hazard federal facility programs. We are currently working on projects and have openings available to support the modernization of Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration facilities contributing to the mission of defending the United States and supporting the nation's nuclear security enterprise.

Job Summary:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer works in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment leading HVAC and process ventilation design for new facilities, additions, and renovation projects, with particular emphasis on hazardous occupancy (e.g., IBC H-2) and secure facility environments where mechanical system design carries direct life‑safety and mission‑critical consequences. The position's responsibilities primarily focus on providing technical leadership for the creation of construction drawings and specifications, existing system studies, and facility master planning efforts, including base building HVAC systems as well as specialized process ventilation, fume/smoke exhaust, and gas-monitoring systems required in high-hazard processing environments.

Qualified candidates will meet with clients, project teams, code officials, contractors, and others to address mechanical and process ventilation issues and develop effective working relationships across a program's full design lifecycle. The project clientele includes Federal Government (DOE/NNSA), Department of Defense, national laboratory‑adjacent programs, Higher Education, Commercial, Health Care, Science and Technology, and other municipal and institutional facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meet with clients to determine and document HVAC and process ventilation requirements.
• Develop HVAC and specialized process ventilation system designs based on project scope, client RFPs, and hazardous occupancy classification requirements.
• Provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of mechanical systems for a variety of building types, including base building HVAC and specialty systems (fume/smoke exhaust, gas detection/monitoring, chemical treatment systems) for high‑hazard process environments.
• Perform load/energy calculations using software such as Trace 700/3D, IES, and similar programs.
• Conduct existing building surveys and documentation of existing HVAC systems, including comparative analysis between an existing reference facility and a target facility.
• Develop system design calculations and equipment selection for use in buildings.
• Evaluate material compatibility and equipment durability for mechanical systems operating in chemically aggressive or corrosive process environments
• Prepare detailed design documents, reports, and studies.
• Complete code compliance research, including hazardous occupancy classification requirements.
• Coordinate work with other disciplines, including structural, electrical, fire protection, process, and security systems.
• Provide engineering services during construction (ESDC), including RFI response and field-condition validation.
• Provide construction administration services.
• Oversee and provide guidance to junior engineers.
• Lead project teams and serve as the primary contact for clients.
• Assist in the procurement of new work, including the development of client relations and participation in project interviews.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• A minimum of 10 years of design experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of project management experience (preferred).
• Knowledge in the design of HVAC systems, including specialized process ventilation, fume exhaust, and gas‑handling systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of applicable codes, standards, and design guidelines, including hazardous occupancy classifications (e.g., IBC H-2) or a demonstrated ability to rapidly develop this expertise.
• Experience with secure or federal government facility design is preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent work ethic and attitude.
• Good communication skills, combined with organizational skills and the ability to plan, balance, and prioritize work.
• Ability to lead a team and work as part of a team.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and MS Office.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any security clearance required by assigned programs.
• Ability to travel.

Location : Baltimore MD or Washington, DC

Type : Full-Time

Travel : 10%-20%

Compensation:

The expected base salary range for this role is $140,000-$160,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible forperformance-based bonuses and a comprehensiveU.S. basedbenefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here .

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high‑rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability‑related needs of applicants as required by law.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Experience

Preferred

10 years:

A minimum of 10 years of design experience.

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Professional Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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