Mechanical Engineer - Mission Critical

HED; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HED is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead design and documentation of high‑performance mechanical systems across complex projects. You will own major portions of design delivery, mentor cross‑functional teams, and represent the firm in client relationships, ensuring technical excellence and strategic engineering direction.

The role emphasizes QA/QC rigor, interdisciplinary coordination, and the development of standards that influence project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) is required.
• P.E. licensure required.
• 10+ years in the AEC industry preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and teamwork abilities.
• Revit experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and documentation of complex mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, fire protection) with minimal oversight.
• Validate key calculations and integrate results into system design.
• Set up and manage mechanical Revit models and documentation standards.
• Coordinate across architecture, structural, and civil teams to resolve system conflicts.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers; lead project meetings and technical reviews.
• Provide design leadership from concept through construction administration; guide QAQC.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

P.E. licensure

Tools

Revit

Job description

Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our group of talented engineers. The Mechanical Engineer is a technical expert and design leader responsible for shaping high-performance, integrated mechanical engineering solutions across major and complex projects.

About HED

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising 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 sets the standard for technical execution, QAQC rigor, and interdisciplinary coordination across the firm. Mechanical Engineers at this level operate with full autonomy, own major portions of mechanical project design delivery, and mentor cross-functional teams. As trusted advisors, they represent the firm in client relationships, ensure technical excellence, and guide engineering strategy at the highest level. Their work influences practice-wide standards, design innovation, and technical mentorship.

Essential Functions

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

Mission Critical Specific Functions

• Have a strong understanding of mission critical HVAC systems, including but not limited to Fan Coil Walls, MDR/MMR CRAHs, air and water cooled chiller systems, and liquid cooling systems.
• Ability to review and interpret CFD reports to understand impacts to equipment performance and use to inform design decisions.
• Ability to estimate loads for equipment sizing and work with team members to oversee detailed load calculations.
• Knowledge of IEEC, ASHRAE 90.1 & 90.4 requirements for equipment/system efficiency requirements.
• Knowledge of typical redundancy requirements for data centers and impact on design requirements for specific tier.
• Knowledge of master planning for high level client interaction and support for site planning of future buildings and estimate utility impacts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, required.
• P.E. licensure required.
• 10+ years in the AEC Industry preferred.
• An understanding of the financial status of projects as they progress, development of cost budgets for projects, value of client relationships and be able to deliver projects with a focus on the quality is required.
• Written and verbal communication skills commensurate with the position required.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Revit experience 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.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.