Associate Mechanical Engineering Lead – Healthcare HVAC

Confidential Recruiting Partners; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Recruiting Partners is seeking an Associate-level Mechanical Engineering Lead to support major healthcare and complex building projects. The role combines technical HVAC design, project leadership, client management, and team development in regulated environments.

The candidate should have 12+ years of HVAC design experience for inpatient facilities, strong coordination skills, and the ability to drive design execution, project delivery, and business development.

Qualifications

• Active PE license in the United States.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Architectural Engineering.
• 12+ years of HVAC design experience, especially for healthcare facilities.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex client relationships.
• Proven track record in work-winning and project delivery.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE, NFPA, LEED and healthcare codes.
• Strong collaboration across internal disciplines and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project quality, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Prepare drawings, specifications, reports, and presentations.
• Lead the mechanical discipline in design meetings and coordination.
• Mentor and develop local engineering staff.
• Support work-winning activities, including proposals and scope definitions.
• Coordinate across disciplines to deliver integrated design packages.
• Engage with stakeholders, contractors, and code officials through design and construction phases.
• Incorporate energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality strategies.

Skills

PE license

Mechanical engineering degree

12+ years HVAC design

Healthcare project experience

Leadership & mentorship

ASHRAE/NFPA/LEED familiarity

Project management

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering

Tools

Revit

Energy modeling software

Job description

Our client is seeking an Associate‑level Mechanical Engineering Lead to support major healthcare and complex building projects. This role blends technical mechanical engineering expertise, project leadership, client management, and team development within regulated, high‑performance environments.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience designing HVAC systems for inpatient critical care facilities, strong multidisciplinary coordination skills, and the ability to lead teams through design execution, project delivery, and work‑winning activities.

Onsite | No Visa Sponsorship | No Relocation Assistance

Please Note: Candidates should be located within a reasonable commuting distance or willing to relocate independently.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee project quality, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Prepare drawings, specifications, technical reports, and presentation materials.
• Participate in professional associations and contribute to industry engagement.
• Maintain strong client relationships and represent the mechanical discipline in project meetings.
• Incorporate sustainable design strategies, including energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
• Coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines to deliver comprehensive, integrated design packages.
• Support work‑winning efforts, including proposal development, scope definition, and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, contractors, and code officials throughout design and construction phases.
• Serve as Project Manager and Mechanical Lead for multidisciplinary design projects, with a focus on healthcare facilities.
• Provide leadership for the local mechanical engineering team, including mentoring, coaching, and supporting career development.

Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• Active Professional Engineering (PE) license in the United States.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Architectural Engineering.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration between internal disciplines and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership presence with experience guiding and developing engineering teams.
• Proven track record of work‑winning, commercial foresight, and developing repeat business.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary projects and manage complex client relationships.
• Familiarity with relevant codes and standards, including ASHRAE, NFPA, LEED, and healthcare‑specific requirements.
• Significant experience delivering healthcare projects, especially inpatient critical care facilities (academic medical centers, specialty care centers, community inpatient hospitals)
• 12+ years of experience designing building HVAC systems, including: Airside Systems, Hydronic Heating and Cooling Plant Systems, Specialty Exhaust Systems.

Preferred Skills:

• LEED Accreditation or WELL Certification.
• Experience with engineering analysis and energy modeling, including: Whole‑Building Energy Analysis, Façade Thermal Analysis and Airflow Modeling.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience supervising or hiring mid‑level engineering staff.
• Experience contributing to regional or office‑level discipline leadership.