Mechanical / HVAC Engineer – High-Performance Building Systems

TYG; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

High-Performance Building Systems is seeking an HVAC Engineer or Designer with 3–8 years of experience to work on high‑performance building projects in San Francisco. You will help design, analyze, and optimize complex mechanical systems, including central plants, building controls, and energy performance strategies.

You’ll collaborate with senior engineers, architects, and contractors to deliver technically robust solutions that meet performance goals and client expectations.

Qualifications

• 3–8 years of HVAC/building-systems experience.
• Strong fundamentals in HVAC design and engineering calculations.
• Experience with building automation and HVAC controls.
• Experience taking projects from concept through design and construction.
• Ability to communicate technical decisions with clients and teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop HVAC concepts, perform calculations, and produce drawings and specifications.
• Design chilled-water plants, VAV systems, and high-performance HVAC solutions.
• Develop and review sequences of operation and control strategies.
• Coordinate with architects, owners, contractors and other engineers.
• Investigate existing systems to improve performance and energy efficiency.
• Support commissioning, troubleshooting and construction-phase problem solving.
• Review system operation data and recommend improvements.
• Manage project portions independently, seeking senior input when needed.

Skills

HVAC design

Engineering calculations

Building automation

HVAC controls

Project coordination

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Job description

High-Performance Building Systems - Mechanical/ HVAC Engineer | $120,000–$160,000

We’re partnering with a highly technical building-systems engineering consultancy looking to add an HVAC Engineer or Designer with approximately 3–8 years of experience.

This team has built its reputation around solving complex mechanical systems problems rather than simply producing drawings. Their work spans large commercial, institutional, residential and mission-critical facilities, with particular expertise in high-performance HVAC, central chilled-water plants, building controls, commissioning and energy performance.

For an engineer who enjoys understanding why a system works, how it should operate, and how it can perform better, this is an opportunity to work alongside some exceptionally experienced engineers while taking meaningful ownership of projects.

The Role

You’ll work across the design and performance of complex building mechanical systems, with responsibilities including:

• Developing HVAC concepts, performing engineering calculations and producing drawings and specifications.
• Designing and evaluating systems such as chilled-water plants, VAV systems and other high-performance HVAC solutions.
• Developing and reviewing sequences of operation and building-control strategies, considering how systems respond across different loads and operating conditions.
• Coordinating closely with architects, owners, contractors and other engineering disciplines.
• Investigating existing building systems and identifying opportunities to improve performance, reliability and energy efficiency.
• Supporting commissioning, troubleshooting and construction-phase problem solving.
• Reviewing system operation and performance data to diagnose issues and recommend improvements.
• Managing substantial portions of projects independently while recognising when senior input will improve the outcome.
• Clearly documenting engineering decisions, unresolved issues and technical recommendations.

What We’re Looking For

We’re less interested in somebody who simply knows how to follow an established design template and more interested in an engineer who is genuinely curious about how buildings work as complete systems.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Approximately 3–8 years of HVAC / mechanical building-systems experience.
• Strong fundamentals in HVAC design and engineering calculations.
• Working knowledge of building automation and HVAC controls.
• Experience taking meaningful portions of projects from concept through design, construction documentation and construction administration.
• Confidence communicating technical decisions with clients, contractors and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• The initiative to investigate problems rather than simply escalation.
• Good engineering judgement when the answer isn’t immediately obvious.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to challenge ideas, receive feedback and continue developing technically.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

You’ll be working directly with a small group of highly experienced Principals and senior engineers rather than disappearing into a large production hierarchy.

The business operates across several closely connected technical areas:

Advanced HVAC Design

Complex HVAC systems including central chilled-water plants, high-performance VAV systems and specialist building environments.

Detailed control-system design and sequences of operation, with a strong emphasis on making buildings perform as intended rather than treating controls as an afterthought.

Both design-phase and third-party commissioning, supported by engineers with hands‑on HVAC and controls expertise.

Building Performance & Energy Analysis

Energy modelling, lifecycle analysis, measurement and verification, system optimisation and analysis of real-world building-performance data.

Technical Research & Innovation

The team has contributed to the development of industry standards and applies research directly to the design and operation of HVAC and BAS systems.

You’ll therefore have the opportunity to develop beyond traditional HVAC design and deepen your expertise across controls, commissioning, energy performance and advanced mechanical-system optimisation.

Compensation

$120,000–$160,000, depending on experience and technical capability.