Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior 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 Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of mechanical systems. The candidate will have the opportunity to work on projects in a variety of market sectors, such as healthcare, science & technology, education, and commercial projects. This position is offered in a hybrid work environment, with a combination of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. 

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop the HVAC systems design of a given project based on the scope of work and/or client RFPs while supporting project execution from concept design through construction.
• Provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of mechanical systems for healthcare, science & technology, education, and commercial projects while ensuring designs meet project scope, applicable code, and industry standards.
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations and energy analysis with software such as Trace 700 or similar programs.
• Conduct existing building surveys and document existing HVAC systems and site conditions.
• Develop system design calculations and selection of equipment for building mechanical systems.
• Write and edit project specifications and other technical design documentation.
• Prepare detailed design documents, engineering reports, and technical studies while maintaining accurate project documentation.
• Perform code compliance research and ensure mechanical system designs meet applicable codes and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate mechanical system design with other engineering disciplines, architects, and project stakeholders.
• Provide construction administration services including reviewing submittals, responding to contractor questions, and supporting construction phase coordination.
• Communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with clients, contractors, and internal project teams to ensure alignment on design intent and project updates.
• Support project teams in maintaining project schedules, deliverable quality, and resolution of technical issues with both internal team members and external partners.
• Perform project billable work and engineering responsibilities consistent with expected utilization goals while contributing to successful project delivery.
• Foster an environment where new ideas are discussed and developed collaboratively to create practical solutions to client challenges.  

Business Development Responsibilities:

• Tactical business development - Review RFP/RFQ/SOW as well as prebid drawings and specifications to determine resource requirements and risk/benefit potential for each assigned proposal opportunity.
• Strategic business development – Support the Director in cultivating and maintaining Mid-Atlantic’s strategic growth targets and growth areas as requested.
• Oversee design-build coordination for Mechanical scope of work on assigned proposals. Coordinate subcontractor services that will be necessary or could impact the Mechanical scope of work. Ensure the GC Prime has sufficient technical input to competitively price their means-methods to construct the project.
• Coordinate with other design disciplines to ensure related scopes have adequate level of effort with minimal redundancies on assigned proposals.
• Participate in go/no-go decisions, oral presentations, capture management, technical approach narratives, qualification packages, elevator pitches, industry days, and conferences as requested.
• As requested, identify/suggest opportunity-specific teammates, subcontractors (geotechnical, survey, SUE, structural, hazmat sampling, biological, cultural resources), hardware, software, training, badging, certifications, licenses, safety and travel needs that are likely to be required to perform the Mechanical scope of work. Clarify scope of services to clearly explain Mid-Atlantic’s understanding of the Mechanical scope of work through clarifications, assumptions, and exclusions.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Assists the Director of Mechanical Engineering in specialized projects to advance the growth of Mid-Atlantic. These tasks may include but are not limited to mentoring interns/new hires, providing input for process improvements, assisting in the development of our continuously growing training program.

Qualifications and Experience:

• You have a minimum of 10+ years of design experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• PE required. LEED certification is a plus.
• Experience with laboratories/medical facilities design is preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Proficient in Revit, Bluebeam Revu, AutoCAD, and MS Office.
• Must have working knowledge of the ASHRAE, ASME, NFPA, and NEC; with a preference for knowledge of the IBC, IMC, and IPC requirements.
• Excellent work ethic and attitude.
• Good communication and time management skills.
• Interpersonal communication skills, combined with organizational skills, the ability to plan, balance, and prioritize work.
• Ability to lead a team as well as work as part of a team.

Location: Bethesda, MD

Travel: Limited

Compensation & Benefits:

The expected base salary range for this role is $145,000 - $165,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

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.

Qualifications Education Required Bachelors or better. Experience Required minimum of 10+ years of design experience Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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.