Entry-Level 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.
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.
Job Summary:
The Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer will work in a fast-paced multi-discipline team environment. Our Mechanical/Plumbing Engineers are responsible for designing building HVAC and plumbing systems and producing construction documentation Residential, Higher Education, Commercial, Science and Technology, and Federal Facilities.
In this role, you will:
- Read and understand construction documents, floor plans, specifications, and equipment details
- Develop HVAC system designs of a given project based on scope of work and/or client RFPs
- Provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of mechanical systems for a variety of market types
- Perform Load/Energy calculations with software such as Trace 700, Manual J and similar programs
- Conduct existing building surveys and documentation of existing HVAC, plumbing and Fire Protection systems
- Develop system design calculations and selection of equipment for use in buildings
- Write and edit project specifications
- Assist in procuring new work; including developing client relations
- Drawing production and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for mechanical and plumbing systems
- Participate in mechanical and plumbing and piping system design including chilled, condenser and heating hot water systems, domestic/potable water system design, sanitary sewer system design, and storm water system design
- Complete engineering calculations, equipment sizing and selection, system layout, and coordination
- Apply knowledge of building codes and industry standards
- Write and edit specifications, reports, narratives, and surveys
- Attend external meetings to obtain design input information and ensuring that all facets of the HVAC, Plumbing and Fire Protection systems are correctly coordinated
- Perform site visits and issuing reviews and reports, surveying existing buildings and identifying plumbing systems and components, reviewing equipment submittals, and responding to contractor questions
You will be a great fit if:
- You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
- You're willing to obtain your E.I.T
- You have design experience in the MEP industry
- You are knowledgeable in the design of HVAC systems
- You have 0 - 3 years of experience in plumbing and piping system engineering and design
- You have detailed knowledge of building codes and industry standards
Skills/abilities:
- Efficient in MS Office, Outlook, and engineering calculation software
- Ability to prioritize tasks effectively in the face of shifting projects and deadlines
- Good communication skills, combined with organizational skills, the ability to plan, balance and prioritize work
- Ability to operate AutoCAD, RevitTMand BIM360 software
Location: Tyson, VA
Travel: Limited
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, color, 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.
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.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Willingness to obtain an Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) certification
- Design experience in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) industry
- Knowledge of HVAC system design
- 0–3 years of experience in plumbing and piping system engineering and design
- Detailed knowledge of building codes and industry standards
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM 360
- Proficiency with MS Office and Outlook
- Ability to prioritize tasks across shifting projects and deadlines
- Strong communication and organizational skills
Salas O'Brien Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Salas O'Brien and has not been reviewed or approved by Salas O'Brien.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare options include multiple medical, dental, and vision plans with an individual medical option at no premium, plus no‑cost preventive medications and mental‑health resources. Employer‑paid disability and life coverage further strengthen the safety net.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes a base PTO allotment plus company office‑closure days and paid parental leave for births, adoptions, and foster placements. Feedback suggests the breadth of leave is a standout component of the package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits include a 401(k) employer match with a potential additional company stock contribution, along with RRSP support in Canada and a student‑loan payment 401(k) match in the U.S. These features provide structured long‑term savings support beyond base pay.
Salas O'Brien Insights
What We Do
Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact™, helping clients achieve critical goals, advancing our team members through growth and opportunity, and operating at the center of important global issues, including sustainability and decarbonization. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.
