Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: York, PA
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $95,000 to $145,000 plus, based on experience, qualifications, licensure, and overall fit

About MDS Engineering

MDS Engineering is a growing MEP engineering firm based in York, Pennsylvania, serving public and private sector clients across building systems, infrastructure, energy, and related markets.

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to help lead, build, and grow our mechanical engineering practice. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced licensed professional who can shape technical standards, mentor future leaders, support business development, strengthen client relationships, and advance the long term growth of the firm.

Position Overview

The Principal Mechanical Engineer will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the mechanical engineering discipline. This role will lead complex design efforts, oversee quality control, guide staff development, support client engagement, and establish the standards needed to grow a strong mechanical department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the mechanical engineering discipline within MDS Engineering.
• Oversee HVAC, plumbing, energy, and building system design efforts.
• Provide technical direction from planning through construction administration.
• Manage workload planning, staffing needs, project budgets, schedules, and team utilization.
• Establish mechanical design standards, workflows, specifications, design tools, and QA/QC procedures.
• Lead projects across commercial, education, government, aviation, infrastructure, institutional, residential, mixed use, and related sectors.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor for code compliance, constructability, equipment selection, energy efficiency, and system performance.
• Review and approve mechanical design documents for permitting, bidding, and client submission.
• Coordinate with internal teams, consultants, architects, owners, contractors, and project stakeholders.
• Lead peer reviews, project audits, risk reviews, and technical deliverable reviews.
• Mentor engineers, designers, junior staff, and emerging leaders through training, guidance, and career development.
• Promote sustainable solutions related to energy modeling, decarbonization, heat recovery, ventilation, controls, and high performance systems.
• Build client relationships and support proposals, interviews, fee development, and pursuit strategies.
• Identify new mechanical engineering service opportunities and growth areas.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer license required.
• 15 or more years of progressive mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong background in HVAC design, mechanical systems, plumbing coordination, energy systems, building codes, and construction documents.
• Proven experience leading projects, managing technical deliverables, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to mentor staff, review work, provide direction, and support technical growth.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and client relationship skills.
• Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, load calculation software, energy modeling tools, specifications, and engineering workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• LEED AP, CEM, PMP, or similar professional credential.
• Experience growing a mechanical engineering team or department.
• Experience supporting business development, proposals, client interviews, and strategic pursuits.

Why Join MDS Engineering

This is a meaningful leadership role where your experience, ideas, and technical judgment will have a direct impact. You will help shape the mechanical engineering practice, mentor talent, support firmwide growth, and help build something lasting.