Chief Mechanical Engineer

Bowman Consulting; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life, and/or

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Bowman Consulting in Boston, MA is seeking a Chief Mechanical Engineer to lead the expansion of Bowman's Mission Critical MEP division. The role blends hands-on mechanical design with strategic leadership, recruiting, mentoring, and scaling a high-performing engineering pipeline.

The successful candidate will direct high‑level architecture, drive standards, and serve as the principal technical contact for key clients, while delivering projects from concept to construction documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 25+ years of technical mechanical design experience.
• 10+ years in team lead, mentorship or engineering management.

Responsibilities

• Lead high‑level mechanical architecture and system design for large‑scale projects.
• Develop standards and guidelines to drive engineering excellence.
• Mentor junior engineers and scale the engineering team.
• Coordinate with clients and other departments to translate requirements into specs.

Skills

Leadership experience

Recruiting & mentoring

Mechanical design

Concept to construction

Client leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Short Description

Bowman has an opportunity for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Boston, MA.

At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That's why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.

Purpose

Spearhead the technical and strategic expansion of Bowman's Mission Critical MEP division. This role is a split between hands‑on mechanical engineering design and talent leadership. The Principal Mechanical Engineer is an industry expert who solves complex technical challenges and builds world‑class engineering teams.

The core mission is to strategically grow the size and capabilities of the mechanical team within the business sector. The Principal Mechanical Engineer achieves this by delivering cutting‑edge mechanical designs while recruiting, mentoring and scaling a high‑performing engineering pipeline.

Responsibilities

Engineering Design and Innovation (50%)

• Lead high‑level mechanical architecture and system design for complex, large‑scale projects within the sector.
• Deliver robust engineering solutions from conceptual master planning to construction design and administration.
• Direct and review advanced engineering analyses, including CFD, 3D CAD models and thermal modeling to ensure performance and reliability.
• Establish technical standards, design guidelines and best practices across the department to drive engineering excellence.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for key clients and stakeholders, translating business requirements into actionable engineering specifications.
• Analyze, present and select the proper mechanical system from plausible alternatives based on the client’s criteria and project goals.
• Produce and review project construction documents to meet milestone schedules within predetermined hourly budgets.
• Review project‑related construction administration items (shop drawings, RFIs, change order proposals) and project close‑out documentation (O&M manuals and as‑built documents).
• Maintain expert knowledge of all codes applicable to the discipline. Stay up to date in evolving industry trends and keep team and clients informed and educated.
• Assist in the development of project proposals, budgets, cost standards and schedules.

Mentorship and Talent Recruitment (50%)

• Contribute to a strategic recruitment plan to identify, source and interview top‑tier mechanical engineering talent in support of aggressive growth goals.
• Scale the engineering team while maintaining a high bar for cultural and technical fit.
• Provide daily technical mentorship, design reviews and career development guidance to junior and mid‑level engineers.
• Build a collaborative, inclusive, high‑performance culture that fosters innovation, continuous learning and growth opportunities.
• Develop training programs and onboarding frameworks so new hires integrate seamlessly and reach peak productivity quickly.
• Plan and direct activities of department staff, including scheduling and monitoring budgets, quality of work, time utilization and staffing levels.
• Assure conformance with company philosophy, policies and procedures, and coordinate work involving other departments and/or consultants.

Success Metrics and Competencies

Ideal candidate will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire & teach a team and articulate complex technical visions to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Highly motivated, growth‑minded and problem‑solving attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency in responding to clients and internal partners.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to quality.
• Strong marketing and business development skills and mindset.
• Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work.
• Effective working relationships with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 25 or more years of technical mechanical engineering design experience,
• 10 or years in a dedicated team lead, mentorship or engineering management role.
• Proven track record of taking complex mechanical systems from concept to construction documents.
• Demonstrated experience or strong aptitude for recruiting, interviewing and building engineering teams.

About Bowman

Are you ready to build a career that makes a lasting impact? At Bowman, our people are at the center of everything we do. We're committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, while helping to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

A career at Bowman means being part of a collaborative, forward‑thinking organization where innovation, inclusion, and growth are encouraged at every level. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed.

Salary and eligible variable compensation (if any) commensurate with experience. Range $168,000 - $235,000 and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Discretionary bonuses and other performance‑based incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, and employment status.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Primarily indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors and traffic.
• Mobility around an office environment.
• Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
• Occasionally outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise and/or potential hazards.
• Mobility around a job/construction site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting or kneeling and wearing of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 lb.
• Occasional pushing or pulling up to 20 lb.
• Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.

Job Description Disclaimer

Note: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.

Bowman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Bowman has an obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for its employees and clients. We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol‑free workplace.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email [e-mail].