Mechanical / HVAC Designer - Freelance 1099

Job Description

Job Description

REMOTE POSITION, BUT CANDIDATE MUST RESIDE WITHIN 25 MILES OF WEST ORANGE, NJ AND BE AVAILABLE FOR OCCASIONAL SITE VISITS IN NYC/NORTHERN NJ.

Compensation is negotiated as a lump-sum fee for each assigned project or scope of work , based on the project scope, schedule, and responsibilities. This is not an hourly employee position.

Project workload will vary, and no minimum number of projects or amount of work is guaranteed. Our goal is to develop long-term relationships with strong freelance professionals who can become regular members of AEP's extended project team. Qualified contractors may be added to our team for future assignments and contacted as suitable projects become available.

Work is primarily performed from home. Occasional site visits in Northern NJ and NYC are required

AEP Engineering, LLC is a growing MEP engineering consulting firm seeking an experienced, highly reliable U.S.-based freelance Mechanical / HVAC Designer within practical driving distance of the New York City / Northern New Jersey metropolitan area to support commercial and residential building projects.

This is a 1099 independent-contractor position only . We are looking for an established freelancer or independent professional with meaningful availability for ongoing project work. We will not consider candidates who are currently employed full-time elsewhere and are seeking side work or moonlighting opportunities.

The right person will become a trusted recurring member of our extended project team and will be expected to take ownership of assigned work, meet commitments, and communicate proactively.

Responsibilities

• Develop HVAC designs from architectural backgrounds, project criteria, and direction from AEP
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations
• Select and schedule HVAC equipment
• Develop ductwork layouts and sizing
• Develop air distribution systems
• Design ventilation and outside-air systems
• Coordinate mechanical systems with architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, and fire-protection disciplines
• Prepare mechanical plans, schedules, details, notes, and specifications
• Assist with equipment selections and technical product review
• Identify coordination conflicts and missing information before they affect the project
• Incorporate review comments and revisions
• Perform self-QA/QC before submitting work for AEP review
• Assist with responses to contractor, architect, and client technical questions as required

Project Leadership / Client Coordination

• Serve as the primary day-to-day technical and coordination lead for assigned projects
• Communicate directly with clients during design development and ask questions as needed
• Obtain, track, and organize required client design information and project correspondence
• Participate in client and coordination meetings
• Manage client and internal deadlines for the Mechanical, Plumbing / Fire Protection, and Electrical / Fire Alarm disciplines
• Manage assigned projects with a high degree of autonomy, with AEP copied, reviewing the work, and participating when needed

What We Are Looking For

Technical ability is important, but reliability, communication, and ownership are equally important to us.

We are specifically looking for someone who:

• Treats agreed project deadlines as firm commitments
• Communicates immediately if an issue could affect scope, schedule, or quality
• Proactively identifies missing information, coordination issues, design concerns, and potential problems
• Asks questions early rather than allowing uncertainty to become a last-minute issue
• Takes ownership of assigned work from start through completion
• Is receptive to feedback and willing to learn AEP's preferred design standards, procedures, and workflows
• Reviews their own work carefully before submitting it
• Communicates clearly and professionally
• Is reasonably available during normal U.S. business hours

Qualifications

• Professional experience designing HVAC systems for buildings
• Strong AutoCAD/Revit skills
• Experience producing permit and construction-document drawing sets
• Working knowledge of HVAC load calculations ( Trane Trace, Carrier HAP, RHVAC, etc. )
• Experience with equipment selection and scheduling
• Knowledge of duct sizing, air distribution, ventilation, and basic controls coordination
• Familiarity with applicable mechanical, energy, building, and ventilation codes
• Ability to read and coordinate architectural and other engineering drawings
• Strong written and verbal English communication
• Ability to work independently and remotely
• U.S.-based
• Experience with commercial, multifamily residential, healthcare, retail, office, renovation, and/or new-construction projects is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the IBC, IMC, ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 90.1, and the NYC Building and Mechanical Codes is required . Candidates must understand the major code sections, know how they affect their design, when they apply, and know how to efficiently locate and interpret the applicable code sections when asked.
• PE licensure is not required for this position.

Site Survey / Local Travel Requirement

This is a remote freelance position, but candidates must be located within reasonable driving distance of AEP's primary New York/New Jersey project area and must be willing and able to travel to project sites as needed.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting existing-condition and due-diligence site surveys
• Documenting existing HVAC equipment, ductwork, controls, utilities, and related building conditions
• Taking field measurements, photographs, and equipment information
• Identifying visible conflicts, deficiencies, and conditions that may affect the proposed design
• Organizing field notes and survey information for use in design
• Communicating significant field findings promptly to AEP

Candidates must have:

• Reliable transportation
• A valid driver's license
• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites in New Jersey, New York City, and surrounding areas
• Confidence working independently in occupied and unoccupied buildings
• Ability to conduct thorough, organized field surveys without requiring constant direction

Software and Equipment Requirements

As an independent contractor, you must provide and maintain your own:

• Computer and related hardware
• Reliable high-speed internet connection
• AutoCAD and/or Revit software suitable for performing the required work
• Microsoft 365 software, including Word, Excel, Outlook/email, and other standard office applications
• Professional email and reliable phone/online communication capability
• Any other general software and equipment normally required to perform your freelance design work

AEP does not provide computer hardware, Microsoft 365 licenses, AutoCAD licenses, or general office equipment for this independent-contractor position.

Contractor Relationship

This is a remote 1099 freelance independent-contractor relationship .

Project workload will vary, and no minimum number of hours or projects is guaranteed. Our objective is to develop long-term relationships with strong freelance professionals who can become regular contributors to AEP projects as our workload continues to grow.

Work will be assigned on a project or task basis, with scope, schedule, and compensation established for each assignment.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and briefly answer the following:

• How many years of mechanical/HVAC design experience do you have?
• Do you currently work as a freelancer or independent contractor?
• What types of building projects do you have the most experience designing?
• Are you able to independently develop HVAC designs from architectural backgrounds and project criteria?
• What load-calculation software do you use?
• What hours are you generally available during the workday?

.

Work will be assigned on a project or task basis, with scope, schedule, and compensation established for each assignment.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and briefly answer the following:

• How many years of mechanical/HVAC design experience do you have?
• Do you currently work as a freelancer or independent contractor?
• What types of building projects do you have the most experience designing?
• Are you able to independently develop HVAC designs from architectural backgrounds and project criteria?
• What load-calculation software do you use?
• What version of AutoCAD do you currently use?
• Approximately how much availability do you typically have each week?
• What hours are you generally available during the U.S. workday?
• Are you located in the United States?
• What is your typical hourly rate or preferred project-based compensation?

AEP Engineering, LLC is an MEP engineering consulting firm providing Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Fire Alarm design services for commercial and residential building projects throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

Company Description

AEP Engineering, LLC is an MEP engineering consulting firm providing Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Fire Alarm design services for commercial and residential building projects throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.