Mechanical Designer
Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add a talented team member to our group of excellent designers. The Mechanical Designer builds upon foundational experience to deepen technical capabilities and take greater ownership of assigned design work.
About HED
We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.
Position Summary
Operating with increasing autonomy, this role is focused on the development of design documentation, performing calculations, and coordination across disciplines. The Mechanical Designer contributes meaningfully to project execution and supports innovation through curiosity and collaboration within the team. This individual is engaged in developing a deeper understanding of building systems and design tools, and begins taking responsibility for portions of design packages with guidance from project engineers.
Essential Functions:
- Produce the mechanical sheet list for projects, determine project sheet requirements and complete the project set up in Revit.
- Participate in the completion of the BIM Project Execution Plan.
- Participate in construction administration activities such as mechanical submittal reviews and develop mechanical RFI responses with supervision from lead engineer.
- Collaborate with the project engineers on the required mechanical system components, coordinate with all impacted disciplines.
- Primarily working in Revit, modeling components and systems – for HVAC, plumbing and/or fire protection - based on code and client requirements, as well as engineering guidance.
- Produce redline markups to delegate tasks (such as ductwork and piping layouts) to other team members.
- Participate in mentorship relationships with all levels of mechanical engineers to understand and teach the “how” and “why” of mechanical engineering for the built environment.
- Edit Division 21, 22, 23 specifications for project requirements alongside the project engineers.
- Complete mechanical equipment sizing and energy code compliance calculations alongside the project engineers.
- Develop familiarity with code compliance and engineering best practices.
- Check your work for graphical and technical issues to resolve prior to deliverable issuance.
- Collaborate in the QAQC effort per HED’s Design Process
- Attend client and project team meetings alongside the project lead to review and coordinate project mechanical requirements.
- Participate in coordination meetings and lead follow-up efforts to resolve action items.
- Work with sub-contracted firm(s) to delegate workload
- Work in different sectors to gain experience as a mechanical generalist
- Engage in staffing process and estimate hours required to complete mechanical tasks
- Manage assigned project hours for self-performed and delegated work.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, required.
- 2+ years of experience in the AEC industry preferred.
- Candidates must be able to go to either our Chicago or Detroit office in a hybrid schedule. This is required.
- Written and verbal communication skills commensurate with the position required.
- Strong organizational skills preferred.
- Revit experience required.
- Experience with computers, specifically for word processing, spreadsheet use/creation and email required.
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible and curious personalities required.
- Ability to work well with others under deadline situations required.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally via phone, video conferencing, and in-person.
- Visual acuity to perform responsibilities.
Work Environment
- We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home, with regular in-office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
- The office is a professional, open-space environment for collaborative and independent work.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
- 2+ years of experience in the AEC industry
- Written and verbal communication skills commensurate with the position
- Strong organizational skills
- Revit experience
- Experience with computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, and email
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible, and curious personality
- Ability to work well with others under deadline situations
What We Do
At HED, we believe great design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about solving complex challenges, enriching communities, and building a better future. As an integrated design firm, we combine architecture, engineering, consulting, and planning to deliver sustainable, impactful solutions. Guided by a shared purpose to create positive change, we foster collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning, where bold ideas and fresh perspectives drive innovation. With nine offices across the U.S., we pair national resources with localized expertise to serve diverse markets, including education (Higher Ed and Pre K-12), healthcare, mission critical, workplace, housing and mixed-use, science and advanced manufacturing, community, and federal and transportation. Discover how HED advances your world at www.hed.design.
