Senior Mechanical Engineer - Future Mechanical Director (Chicago)

Location: Downtown Chicago, IL

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

Schedule: Monday–Thursday In Office | Flexible Hours

About the Opportunity:

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.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

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

Qualifications:

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

Project Types

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

Compensation & Benefits

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

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!