Mechanical Business Class Lead

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering design company seeks a Mechanical Business Class Lead in Houston, TX. This role involves leading a team of engineers on complex projects, ensuring quality, and managing client relationships. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, 10+ years of experience, and proficiency in HVAC and plumbing design. A commitment to sustainable practices and team collaboration is essential. The position offers full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Proficient with ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED requirements.
• Experience in managing diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers and designers on complex projects.
• Coordinate mechanical design work in multi-discipline teams.
• Manage project production and client relationships.

Skills

HVAC system design

Plumbing system design

Specification writing

Collaboration in multi-discipline teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

HDR is a people-first company where employee-owners are engaged in creating a welcoming environment, valuing every individual, and empowering authentic contributions. We foster inclusion across our organization and communities, continually asking about our impact on the world. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible in your community and around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

HDR is currently seeking a Mechanical Business Class Lead to lead a team of engineers and designers with experience in complex engineering and architectural projects across market sectors such as Healthcare, Technology, Education, Science, Justice, and Power and Water Treatment. The position is in our Building Engineering Services design center in Houston, TX, aligned with our regional design centers in San Antonio and Dallas. The Building Engineering Services design center is a full-service, multi-disciplinary team including mechanical, electrical, structural and civil engineers co-located with our Architecture and other practice groups to support a collaborative and fully integrated design process.

The primary duties of the Mechanical Business Class Lead are to provide overall leadership to the team, identify growth opportunities through mentoring and training, coordinate the design work of mechanical engineers and designers within a multi-disciplined, full-service A/E team throughout the entire project development, and create a collaborative and motivating team culture to promote design excellence across the practice. Responsibilities also include supporting marketing and project pursuits, workplan development, quality control, recruiting, and team development. The individual must be highly motivated and will be the mechanical lead on multiple multi-disciplinary projects and may be called to manage projects that have a predominantly engineering focus.

The candidate will be:

• A proficient HVAC and plumbing system design engineer with experience designing to ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED requirements.
• An experienced engineer on multi-disciplined projects and a proficient writer with experience writing specifications, design narratives and supporting proposals.

In the role of Mechanical Business Class Lead, we'll count on you to:

• Take responsibility for operations of production section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support
• Take administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections
• Coordinate the work of mechanical engineers with the balance of a multidiscipline team throughout the entire project's development
• Function as Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews
• Establish client relations, and participate in the marketing, design and production meetings with regard to mechanical systems
• Assume the mechanical lead on many projects
• Participate in reviews with various governing agencies for code compliance
• Conduct schematic, design development and contract document work sessions at the project site in conjunction with the project manager, project architect and other disciplines
• Coordinate workload through the entire project development to complete documents on schedule
• Track the financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust the work effort with the team to ensure that the work is completed within the parameters of the agreed-upon schedule
• Work with the project manager and regional controller for project reviews with corporate management as needed
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

Preference given to local candidates

Experience and interest in sustainable design including credentials in high performance building design similar to LEED

Experience in design calculations, specifications, and preparations of construction drawings for corporate/commercial development, industrial, federal or mission critical projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• 10 years of experience
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other\'s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

Primary Location: United States-Texas-Houston

Schedule

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass : Building Mechanical

Job Posting

Job Posting: Sep 9, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let\'s work together to make great things possible.

We design solutions to the world\'s greatest challenges. We\'re always looking for great talent to join our global teams.