Mechanical Engineering Designer I

Progressive Companies; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Companies is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Designer I to help design HVAC, plumbing, and building automation systems from concept through final construction documents with licensed P.E.s and a multidisciplinary team.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in Revit, AutoCAD, system sizing, and energy modeling while growing toward licensure and a Mechanical Engineer career path within a nationally active practice and an ESOP-owned firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required.
• Pursuing the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam preferred.
• Post-graduation professional engineering experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate building models and contract documents using Revit and AutoCAD.
• Size and analyze mechanical systems with HVAC calculations and energy model inputs.
• Research and document code requirements for plumbing, mechanical, and fuel/gas systems.
• Support project teams by ensuring drawings and specifications align with firm standards.
• Within 90 days achieve working proficiency in the firm’s tools and contribute to contract documents.
• Support licensure prep and participate in client communications as experience grows.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Pursuing the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam

Post-graduation professional engineering experience preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Energy modeling

Job description

As a Mechanical Engineering Designer I, you will help design the HVAC, plumbing, and building automation systems that keep buildings comfortable, efficient, and safe - taking project work from concept design through final construction documents alongside licensed P.E.s and a multidisciplinary team. You’ll work across a variety of building types, sizes, and delivery methods, with mentorship built into your day-to-day.
This role offers the chance to build hands-on expertise in Revit, AutoCAD, system sizing, and energy modeling, take on increasing client-facing responsibility, and grow toward licensure and a Mechanical Engineer career path - with the project variety of a nationally active practice and the ownership stake of an employee-owned (ESOP) firm.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

• Produce accurate building models and contract documents. Prepare Revit and AutoCAD models and drawing sets for assigned projects that clear senior-engineer and P.E. review with minimal rework, steadily increasing the share of each project package you can own independently.
• Size and analyze mechanical systems with confidence. Perform HVAC and mechanical system sizing, static pressure calculations, and energy model inputs on 2-3 active projects, with accuracy confirmed in P.E. review and fewer corrections on each successive project.
• Apply codes and controls knowledge to real designs. Research and document applicable plumbing, mechanical, and fuel/gas code requirements for every assigned project, and contribute sensor, actuator, and basic control strategy selections for Building Automation Systems (BAS) on at least one project.
• Keep project teams aligned and deliverables clean. Check your own work before it goes to review, flag design and documentation inconsistencies to senior staff, assist with specifications that match the drawings and firm standards, and keep shared project documentation current for internal teams, consultants, contractors, and clients.
• Ramp up quickly on the firm’s tools and standards. Within the first 90 days, reach working proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and the firm’s design and analysis tools, and contribute to the contract documents on at least one active project.
• Grow toward licensure and client-facing leadership. Pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam, take part in team meetings and ‘Lessons Learned’ sessions on every project, and take on a growing share of client communication as you build trust through demonstrated expertise.
  

Qualifications

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required.
• Pursuing the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam is preferred.
• Post-graduation professional engineering experience preferred.
  

Technology Skills

• Revit experience highly preferred.
  

People Matter
Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.
Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.
The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes - what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.
Sustainable and Inclusive
We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.
Employee Owned
We act like owners - because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.
Culture of Excellence
The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.
Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.