Mechanical Engineer - Plumbing & HVAC

RDH Building Science, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Health and Dental

Vacation and Sick Time

Learning fund

Job summary

RDH Building Science, Inc. in Seattle seeks a Mechanical Engineer to lead plumbing and HVAC assessments for multi-family and commercial buildings. You will oversee technical delivery, mentor junior staff, and help grow RDH’s plumbing expertise in the region.

You will design, evaluate, and review systems, conduct site investigations, and sign drawings as required in a collaborative, client-focused team. This full-time role requires strong communication, code knowledge, and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Engineering, or Architectural Science from an accredited university.
• Professional Engineer designation (P.E) in Washington strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, with 10+ years considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience applying WA Mechanical and Plumbing Code and relevant municipal bylaws.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical-related projects including piping system aging studies, condition assessments, and depreciation reports for multi-family, strata, and commercial buildings.
• Design, evaluate, and review plumbing and HVAC systems, using sound engineering judgment.
• Deliver scopes within budget and complete project administration tasks to support efficient project execution.
• Conduct site investigations and field reviews as required.
• Mentor and support junior staff through technical guidance and task-level coaching.
• Build and maintain client relationships by anticipating needs and identifying future opportunities.
• Lead health and safety planning on projects, including risk assessments and proactive issue resolution.
• Sign and seal drawings and documents as required.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Technical communication

Plumbing systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

RDH is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to serve as the Team Leader in our Seattle office. This role focuses on plumbing and HVAC system assessments, aging studies, and condition evaluations across multi-family and commercial buildings. You will lead the technical delivery of projects with moderate scope and complexity, support client relationships, and mentor junior staff, while helping grow RDH’s plumbing expertise in the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical-related projects including piping system aging studies, condition assessments, and depreciation reports for multi-family, strata, and commercial buildings.
• Design, evaluate, and review plumbing and HVAC systems, using sound engineering judgment.
• Deliver scopes within budget and complete project administration tasks to support efficient project execution.
• Conduct site investigations and field reviews as required.
• Mentor and support junior staff through technical guidance and task-level coaching.
• Build and maintain client relationships by anticipating needs and identifying future opportunities.
• Lead health and safety planning on projects, including risk assessments and proactive issue resolution.
• Sign and seal drawings and documents as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Engineering, or Architectural Science from an accredited university.
• Professional Engineer designation (P.E) in Washington strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, with 10+ years considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience applying WA Mechanical and Plumbing Code and relevant municipal bylaws.
• Experience with multi-family residential, strata, and commercial building projects preferred.
• Experience conducting condition assessments, system evaluations, and technical reporting.

Skills and Competencies

• Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Leads at the task level, coordinates team efforts, and takes ownership of project responsibilities.
• Mentors and trains junior staff within the flow of project work.
• Applies strong technical knowledge of plumbing systems, mechanical design principles, and applicable codes.
• Evaluates risks, compares alternative approaches, and selects effective solutions.
• Demonstrates high attention to detail and technical thoroughness.
• Manages time effectively, optimizing workflows and delivering work within budget.
• Proactively supports a respectful, collaborative, and engaging team environment.
• Uses sound judgment to resolve ethical, technical, and team-related challenges.
• Seeks continuous improvement through feedback, innovation, and process refinement.

Benefits & Perks

The base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $155,000 annualized for a full-time role. Salary is dependent on various factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. You may also be eligible for discretionary incentives and share ownership.

We offer a robust benefits package to support the well-being of our employees. This includes: 401K contributions, Health and Dental coverage, Primary Caregiver benefits, Vacation and Sick Time, Statutory Holiday substitutions, and a learning fund of $1,000 per year for education or career goals.

About RDH

A role with RDH is a career commitment to learn and grow alongside inspiring and dedicated people who care deeply about making buildings better.

We are an employee-owned consulting firm with 300+ employees in 11 offices across North America. Our core area of business is the integration of building science engineering, architecture, and construction management to optimize the performance of the building enclosure (walls, windows and roofs). Since our beginnings in 1997, we have become industry leaders in North America and continue to grow as we focus on technical excellence and delivering high-quality projects.

We offer a positive workplace with incredible teams, opportunities for professional growth, development and ownership. In addition to your technical background, we seek alignment with RDH’s core values: 1) commit to excellence, 2) act with integrity, 3) work as a team 4) do what it takes, and 5) always learn.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.