Industrial HVAC Technician

Sterling St James LLC; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley area is seeking a Mechanical Project Engineer to design and engineer advanced HVAC systems for industrial and commercial facilities. This direct-hire role offers up to $160,000 base salary and a flexible 1st shift, with a strong emphasis on client collaboration and design leadership.

Reporting to the Director, you’ll collaborate with sales, estimating and fabrication teams, perform calculations, develop CAD/Revit models, and support site reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or Licensed HVAC Designer status required.
• 3+ years of hands-on HVAC design experience, ideally developed within a fast-paced mechanical contractor setting.
• Software proficiency: AutoCAD, Revit, HVAC load calculation programs, and Excel.
• Strong client-facing presence with excellent presentation skills.
• CEM or LEED AP accreditation is a strong bonus.
• Willingness to travel locally within ~1 hour of Fox Valley area.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer inquiries and site requirements to determine project scope, feasibility, and HVAC solutions.
• Design high-performance HVAC systems for commercial and industrial facilities.
• Perform mechanical engineering calculations: heating/cooling loads, air distribution, boiler/chiller plant, pumps and piping, steam routing.
• Develop schematic designs and CAD/Revit models during bidding to estimate labor and materials.
• Draft technical proposal letters and scope documents for owners, GCs, and plant managers.
• Coordinate construction drawings and plan reviews to ensure compliance with codes.
• Support cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

AutoCAD

Revit

HVAC load calculations

Excel

Client-facing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

State-Licensed HVAC Designer

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

HVAC load calculation software

Job description

Mechanical Project Engineer – Industrial & Commercial HVAC

Up to $160,000 Base Salary Fox Valley / Northeast WI Area Flexible 1st Shift Direct-Hire

• COMPENSATION: Up to $160,000 Starting Base Salary (commensurate with design depth and credentials) + Full Corporate Benefits Package
• SCHEDULE: Flexible 1st Shift (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM core window) | Typical 40–45 hour workweek with minimal overtime and exceptional work-life balance
• CREDENTIALS & EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or Licensed HVAC Designer status required
• EXPERIENCE: 3+ years of commercial/industrial HVAC design engineering experience (mechanical contractor background strongly preferred)
• ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: High-visibility, customer-facing role blending technical system design with active client consultation; direct advancement pathways to Lead, Chief Engineer, or Management

If you are a Mechanical Engineer or HVAC Design Engineer who thrives on active client collaboration rather than sitting isolated behind a drafting screen all day, this direct-hire seat is tailored for your career growth. The employer is a financially independent, debt-free industry leader specializing in complex industrial refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, and custom metal fabrication systems. With an average employee tenure of 7 to 10 years, they offer remarkable stability and a supportive workplace culture.

Reporting directly to the Director of HVAC/Plumbing Business Development, you will serve as a key technical liaison—working closely with sales, estimating, and fabrication teams to engineer custom HVAC solutions while building lasting client relationships. Operating in a high-growth environment, this seat provides a clear, structured path toward Lead Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Engineering Manager roles.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Analyze customer inquiries and site requirements to determine project scope, conduct feasibility assessments, and propose custom technical HVAC solutions.
• Design high-performance HVAC systems for commercial and industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants, laboratories, corporate offices, and warehouses.
• Execute mechanical engineering calculations, including heating/cooling loads, air distribution sizing, boiler/chiller plant design, pump and piping layouts, and steam routing.
• Develop schematic designs and CAD/Revit models during the bidding phase to help estimating teams establish precise labor and material costs.
• Draft technical proposal letters and detailed scope documents, presenting engineering concepts directly to building owners, general contractors, and plant managers.
• Coordinate construction drawings and arrange state/local plan reviews, ensuring full compliance with regional mechanical and energy codes.
• Support cross-functional departments (industrial ventilation, service, and heavy refrigeration) while mentoring junior design engineers and interns.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or a State-Licensed HVAC Designer.
• 3+ years of hands-on HVAC design experience, ideally developed within a fast-paced mechanical contractor setting.
• Software Fluency: Proficiency using AutoCAD, Revit, specialized HVAC load calculation programs, and Excel.
• Client-Facing Presence: Outstanding presentation skills and comfort collaborating directly with project executives, facility managers, and vendor partners.
• Industry Credentials: Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or LEED AP accreditation is a strong bonus.
• Physical & Travel Readiness: Ability to execute site walkthroughs (climbing ladders, accessing mechanical spaces) and maintain a valid driver’s license for local site visits (residing within ~1 hour of the Fox Valley area).