Overview
Mechanical Engineer IV, Refrigeration – Bowman has an opportunity to join our team in Rogers, AR. This role provides senior-level mechanical, HVAC, and refrigeration engineering expertise for the planning, design, and delivery of building and industrial systems. The candidate develops mechanical and refrigeration system concepts, engineering calculations, equipment selections, construction documents, specifications, and construction support deliverables for commercial, institutional, industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, cold storage, and related facilities.
Applies advanced engineering judgment to lead complex projects from planning through construction, ensuring practical, safe, maintainable, energy-efficient, and code-compliant solutions. Works independently and collaboratively with clients, project managers, engineers, designers, contractors, vendors, and regulatory authorities to deliver high-quality engineering services that meet client and project objectives. This role is intended for an experienced project engineer capable of leading mechanical and refrigeration design scopes from planning through final design and construction support while coordinating with clients, project managers, internal engineering disciplines, CAD/BIM staff, vendors, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Direction
- Perform work with limited supervision, exercising independent judgment on complex engineering assignments and technical decisions.
- Apply advanced mechanical, HVAC, and refrigeration engineering principles, standards, and industry best practices.
- Serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert for mechanical and refrigeration systems.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers.
- Review and approve engineering calculations, designs, specifications, and technical documentation for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
- Promote engineering excellence, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Operational And Company Responsibilities
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including process, mechanical, electrical, structural, architectural, plumbing, fire protection, controls, and automation disciplines.
- Interface directly with clients, contractors, equipment vendors, commissioning agents, and regulatory authorities.
- Support project planning activities including scope development, schedules, budgets, staffing requirements, and resource forecasting.
- Contribute to proposal development, fee estimates, client presentations, and business development initiatives.
- Support strategic growth of the mechanical and refrigeration engineering practice.
- Identify technical risks, constructability concerns, scope changes, and project impacts related to cost, schedule, operations, and safety.
Engineering And Design Responsibilities
Mechanical and HVAC Systems
- Lead mechanical and HVAC system design for commercial, institutional, industrial, government, academic, research, manufacturing, and multi-family projects.
- Prepare and review engineering calculations, load analyses, equipment sizing, energy evaluations, and technical reports.
- Design and specify HVAC systems including air handling units, chillers, boilers, pumps, heat recovery systems, ventilation systems, and associated controls.
- Develop mechanical drawings, BIM models, specifications, schedules, and construction documents using AutoCAD, Revit, and related software.
- Evaluate design alternatives and recommend effective, cost-efficient engineering solutions.
Refrigeration Systems
- Lead refrigeration engineering and design for food and beverage production, cold storage, refrigerated distribution, process cooling, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
- Develop refrigeration design criteria, basis-of-design narratives, load calculations, system evaluations, and equipment selections.
- Design and specify refrigeration systems including: Compressors, Evaporators, Condensers, Pumps, Heat exchangers, Vessels, Valve groups, Refrigerant and hydronic piping systems, Controls interfaces, Insulation systems.
- Support and design systems utilizing: Ammonia refrigeration, CO₂ refrigeration, Glycol systems, Chilled water systems, HFC/HFO refrigerants, Cascade systems, Packaged refrigeration systems, Hybrid refrigeration/process cooling systems.
- Evaluate existing refrigeration systems for capacity, reliability, maintainability, energy performance, safety, code compliance, and future expansion capability.
- Develop and review refrigeration flow diagrams, P&IDs, piping plans, equipment layouts, technical specifications, and construction documents.
Construction and Project Support
- Participate in QA/QC reviews and implement revisions as required.
- Assist with construction administration activities including: Shop drawing reviews, Equipment submittals, RFIs, Change order evaluations, Bid reviews, Vendor proposal evaluations.
- Conduct site visits to document existing conditions, verify design implementation, observe construction progress, and support issue resolution.
- Support commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
- Assist in developing probable construction cost estimates and engineering effort estimates.
Technical Excellence
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, energy, and safety codes and standards.
- Apply refrigeration safety principles including: Relief systems, Ventilation systems, Leak detection systems, Emergency shutdown controls, Machinery room requirements, Hazardous material considerations.
- Effectively communicate technical concepts and recommendations to clients, contractors, and project stakeholders.
- Promote practical solutions focused on safety, constructability, maintainability, energy efficiency, and operational reliability.
Success Metrics and Competencies
- Strong mechanical, HVAC, and refrigeration engineering judgment.
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
- Effective communication with clients, contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and internal staff.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects while meeting scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to quality, accountability, and responsiveness.
- Strong work ethic and professional integrity.
- Ability to mentor and develop technical staff.
- Commitment to promoting the company’s reputation through quality work and client service.
- Desire to grow professionally and contribute to practice development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Eight or more (8+) years of relevant mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, industrial utility, process cooling, or consulting engineering experience.
- Experience with design and construction support for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, cold storage, refrigerated warehouse, institutional, or similar facilities.
- Experience developing: Mechanical and refrigeration calculations, Equipment selections, Piping layouts, HVAC and refrigeration plans, P&IDs, Technical specifications, Construction documents, Construction-phase deliverables.
- Working knowledge of applicable mechanical, refrigeration, energy, and building codes and industry standards.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Microsoft Office, and engineering calculation/modeling tools.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license; Mechanical PE strongly preferred.
- Experience with ammonia refrigeration, CO₂ refrigeration, glycol systems, chilled water systems, industrial HVAC/R, and process cooling applications.
- Experience with software such as CHVAC/RHVAC, Trane Trace, eQuest, refrigeration selection software, and hydraulic calculation tools.
- Food and beverage, cold storage, manufacturing, or industrial facility experience.
- Experience with commissioning and startup support.
About Bowman
Bowman is committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed, including a comprehensive benefits package. Salary range: $90,000 - $140,000 with eligible variable compensation and benefits.
- 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 with possible exposure to bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.
- Occasional outdoor work environment with adverse weather, temperature variations, noise, and hazards.
- Mobility around office and field environments, including walking, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, and use of PPE.
- Frequent use of standard office equipment and field tools.
- Occasional travel for client meetings, site visits, field investigations, construction observations, and startup/commissioning support.
- Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds, and pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds.
- Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.
Job Description Disclaimer
Note: This job description is intended to reflect the job requirements. Management reserves the right to modify duties as necessary and to assign other duties at any time with or without notice. Bowman is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations where required. For our EEO policy and rights, please refer to our policies.
Questions about the application process can be directed to recruiting@bowman.com.