Mechanical Engineer - Healthcare

Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) seeks a Mechanical Engineer with healthcare design expertise to join our Chicago team. You will lead complex mechanical systems and coordinate with architects and other engineers from early concept through construction administration, delivering high-quality designs with strong QA/QC standards.

Ideal candidates have a PE license, 10+ years in the AEC industry with healthcare project experience, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• P.E. licensure is required.
• 10+ years in the AEC industry preferred.
• Experience in healthcare project design is required.
• ASHRAE 170 and FGI Guidelines familiarity preferred.
• Understanding of project financials and client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and documentation of complex mechanical systems—HVAC, plumbing and/or fire protection—with minimal oversight.
• Validate and approve key mechanical calculations—load, refrigerant concentration, plumbing sizing, equipment sizing.
• Resolve system conflicts through interdisciplinary coordination with architecture and other engineers.
• Serve as primary mechanical technical contact across project teams.
• Review and approve submittals, respond to RFIs, coordinate substitutions.
• Perform site visits and generate professional reports with high autonomy.
• Provide mechanical design leadership from concept through construction administration.
• Lead QA/QC reviews and contribute to project-specific quality plans.
• Mentor support engineers and designers.
• Participate in fee development, scoping, and resource planning for mechanical scope.

Skills

Healthcare design

Design leadership

Interdisciplinary coordination

Communication skills

Autonomy

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Mentoring

Financial awareness

Client relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

P.E. licensure

Tools

Revit

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Healthcare

Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our group of talented engineers. The Mechanical Engineer is a high-level engineer experienced in healthcare, responsible for technical execution, design leadership, and interdisciplinary coordination of complex mechanical systems.

About HED

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, insatiable curiosity, integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.

Position Summary

This role manages major portions of mechanical and plumbing scopes, guides QAQC efforts, mentors team members, and represents the discipline in client-facing settings. Individuals in this position are expected to independently deliver technical content from early design through construction, resolve system-level challenges, and contribute meaningfully to project strategy, team development, and firmwide standards.

Essential Functions

• Lead the design and documentation of complex mechanical systems—such as HVAC, plumbing and/or fire protection systems—with minimal oversight.
• Validate and approve key mechanical engineering calculations—such as load calculations, refrigerant concentration limit calculations, plumbing system sizing, and equipment sizing—and integrate results into system design.
• Resolve system conflicts during interdisciplinary coordination by collaborating with architectural, electrical engineering, structural engineering, and civil engineering teams.
• Serve as the primary mechanical technical contact across internal and external project teams.
• Review and approve mechanical submittals, answer RFIs and evaluate substitutions; coordinate detailed responses with the broader team.
• Perform site visits, field verification, and project walks with high autonomy; generate professional-level reports.
• Provide mechanical design leadership from early concept through construction administration; make system selections, and documentation strategy.
• Guide QAQC reviews for mechanical deliverables and assist in the development of project-specific mechanical quality plans.
• Mentor support engineers and mechanical designers through delegation, technical feedback, and one-on-one coaching.
• Participate in fee development, scoping, and resource planning for mechanical and plumbing scope in project proposals.
• Lead internal and external project meetings by presenting mechanical system concepts, drive client decisions, and trade-offs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Mechanical Engineering, required.
• P.E. licensure required.
• 10+ years in the AEC Industry preferred.
• Experience in designing systems for healthcare projects is required.
• Familiar with ASHRAE 170 and FGI Guidelines is preferred.
• An understanding of the financial status of projects as they progress, value of client relationships and deliver projects with a focus on the quality is required.
• Healthcare Facility Design Professional Certification is a plus.
• ASSE 6060 Medical Gas Certification is a plus.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Revit experience working regularly in the model is required.
• Experience with computers, specifically for word processing, spreadsheet use/creation and email required.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible and curious personalities required.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally via phone, video conferencing, and in-person.
• Visual acuity to perform responsibilities.

Work Environment

• We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home, with regular in-office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
• The office is a professional, open-space environment for collaborative and independent work.