Associate Mechanical Engineer

McKinstry; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 111,420 - 177,650; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match and profit‑

Paid time off and holidays

Comprehensive medical, prescription, &

Job summary

McKinstry in Portland, Oregon, is hiring an Associate Mechanical Engineer for our New Construction team. You’ll focus on engineering, design, and coordination of large-scale projects, collaborating with preconstruction, detailing, and field teams to deliver high-performance mechanical systems.

The role emphasizes DBOM lifecycle thinking, leadership of engineers, and robust client coordination. Hybrid work in Portland, with a pathway to grow through design, build, operate and maintain processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; 10+ years in design or related field; 3+ years in project/people management.
• Valid Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
• Experience leading engineering teams on complex, multi-discipline projects.
• Load calculation experience with IES VE, Carrier HAP, Trane Trace, Elite CHVAC, or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of Revit and Bluebeam; proficiency with MS Office and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages a team of engineers across multiple projects.
• Drives cross‑functional coordination between design, construction, and internal teams.
• Manages scope, schedule, budget, and client expectations with minimal oversight.
• Leads design direction, system selection, energy conservation, and cost-saving strategies.
• Represents McKinstry with clients and leads design meetings with stakeholders.

Skills

Team leadership

Engineering design

Project management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering (preferred)

Professional Engineer (PE) certification

Tools

Revit

Bluebeam

IES VE

Carrier HAP

Trane Trace

Elite CHVAC

Job description

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy‑related carbon emissions. We’re making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we’re going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

Our team is growing! We are currently seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our growing New Construction team in the Pacific Northwest. In this role, you’ll focus on engineering, design, and coordination of large‑scale new construction projects while collaborating with preconstruction, detailing, and field teams to deliver high‑performance, constructible mechanical systems. If you want to shape landmark regional projects from the ground up, this role is your next step.

Engineers at McKinstry are unsurpassed in their ability to combine innovative problem solving with common sense design applications. Because of our design, build, operate, and maintain (DBOM) process, McKinstry engineers concern themselves not just with the construction of a building, but how it will operate over its entire lifetime. Every design choice is made toward one goal – delivering high‑performance buildings that ensure occupant comfort and safety, keep energy/operating costs low, maximize client profitability, and protect the environment.

This role is based in Portland, OR and operates on a hybrid work schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management

• Leads and manages a team of engineers, delegating design tasks and overseeing project deliverables across multiple projects.
• Drives coordination between internal design, construction, and cross‑functional teams.
• Proactively identifies and secures resource needs to meet project deadlines and quality standards.
• Actively mentors and develops lead and project engineers, providing technical guidance and career development support as their direct manager.

Project Management

• Owns project correspondence, issue tracking, decisions, and direction across assigned projects.
• Champions the development and adoption of standardized design tools across the team.
• Manages team workload and capacity planning to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Leads engineering analysis in support of sales pursuits and early‑stage design efforts.
• Defines, communicates, and manages scope, design intent, and design process with minimal oversight.
• Anticipates and proactively manages changes in scope, schedule, budget, or client expectations.
• Demonstrates command of overall project objectives and drives creative, resourceful solutions to complex challenges.

Design

• Serves as a technical authority in mechanical systems design, including calculations, airside and piping systems, equipment selection, and multidiscipline coordination; coaches and delegates to lead and project engineers.
• Independently performs, directs, and reviews engineering calculations, design, and drafting tasks across the full project lifecycle.
• Oversees and contributes to the production of design drawings and building information models for construction.
• Leads coordination efforts with both internal and external project stakeholders.
• Drives process and technology improvement initiatives across the team.
• Leads investigation, evaluation, and troubleshooting of complex new and existing systems.
• Working autonomously, presents and advocates for design direction, system selection, energy conservation, and cost savings strategies.

Customer Relations

• Leads regular design meetings with customers and external stakeholders, often serving as the primary McKinstry point of contact.
• Represents McKinstry with credibility and professionalism in the broader community.
• Actively engages and holds leadership roles in professional organizations critical to McKinstry's line of business.
• Builds and sustains long‑term client relationships that enhance McKinstry's reputation and support business development.
• Prepares proposals for new scopes of work and change orders, leads design project pursuits independently or in support of internal partners, and engages in customer relationship management.

What we would like to see from you

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in engineering design or related field with at least 3 years of project and people management.
• Valid Professional Engineer (PE) registration
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams on complex, multi‑discipline projects.
• Load calculation experience through IES VE, Carrier HAP, Trane Trace, Elite CHVAC, or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of Revit and Bluebeam.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Teams.
• Energy modeling experience highly preferred.
• Onsite construction experience highly preferred.
• Master’s degree in engineering or related discipline preferred.
• LEED, WELL, or other sustainability accreditation preferred.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit‑sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance.
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave.
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time.
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University.
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you’re driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $111,420 - $177,650 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug‑free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.