Mechanical Project Designer | Germantown, MD

IMEG; Germantown (MD); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

Profit sharing

Health insurance

Job summary

IMEG, headquartered in Germantown, MD, is seeking a Mechanical Project Designer to lead design efforts for HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. This role collaborates with senior staff on medium to high complexity projects, mentoring teammates and ensuring compliance with IMEG standards while driving safety and efficiency.

The position supports government/municipal and science & technology projects, offering a hybrid, full-time schedule and opportunities across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and concepts involved in producing technical plans and specifications.
• Strong technical and analytical skills in thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics related to HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems.
• Strong training and mentoring skills.
• Proficiency in industry standard engineering software and HVAC load calculation software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Eagerness to adapt to new challenges.
• Proficiency in BIM software.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form to groups.
• Ability to travel up to 15% with occasional overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts for HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems, developing detailed designs, specifications, and calculations per code and IMEG standards.
• Interact with clients to understand needs, gather project requirements, and maintain client relationships.
• Support consulting projects and lead planning, budgeting, and scheduling tasks to meet deadlines.
• Document design decisions and client instructions while monitoring progress and budget/fee expenditure.
• Analyze engineering problems and propose innovative solutions with senior engineers.
• Provide in-process design reviews and ensure designs meet IMEG quality standards.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and contribute to R&D and innovation.
• Prioritize safety and identify risks in mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Identify potential project problems and seek advice from the Project Manager.
• Oversee projects through bidding and construction administration.

Skills

HVAC design

BIM software

Thermodynamics

Psychrometrics

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Mentoring

Client communication

MS Office

Team collaboration

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

5+ years building design consulting experience

Associates degree or BIM certificate

9+ years building design consulting or construction experience

Tools

HVAC load calculation software

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

MS Office Suite

Job description

100% Employee-Owned | Big-firm resources, local-team relationships, ONE IMEG culture

IMEG, formerly CFR Engineering, is hiring a Mechanical Project Designer in Germantown, MD. In this role, you will lead design efforts as a project manager or lead engineer for low to moderate complexity projects, collaborate with senior staff on larger and high complexity projects, and provide engineering solutions and advice to clients. Your work will focus on engineering analysis, design, and implementation oversight of mechanical systems for the vertical building industry.

You will work within project budgets, help train and mentor teammates, and collaborate across disciplines to meet project goals and client expectations. This role supports government/municipal and science & technology projects and advances high-performance, energy-efficient design aligned with MEP2050 and AIA2030.

At a Glance

Location: Germantown, MD

Discipline: Mechanical

Markets: Government/Municipal and Science & Technology

Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP)

Travel: Up to 15%

Work Schedule: Full-time hybrid

Sponsorship: U.S. citizenship required, federal contract

What You'll Do

• Lead design efforts for the analysis and design of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems, using engineering software and tools to develop detailed designs, specifications, and calculations in accordance with code requirements and IMEG standards.
• Interact with clients to understand needs, gather project requirements, communicate technical information effectively, and build and maintain client relationships through professional communication.
• Support the execution of consulting projects and lead project planning, budgeting, and scheduling tasks to meet project deadlines and objectives.
• Document design decisions and client instructions while monitoring project design progress as related to percent complete and fee expended.
• Analyze engineering problems and propose innovative solutions, collaborating with senior engineers and consultants to develop practical and efficient solutions.
• Provide in-process design reviews of HVAC, plumbing and fire protection system design, calculations, and specifications, and implement IMEG quality control processes to ensure designs meet IMEG quality standards, industry standards and client requirements.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in mechanical engineering, and contribute to research, development, and innovation efforts within IMEG.
• Prioritize safety in all aspects of engineering work and identify and mitigate potential safety risks associated with mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including other engineers, architects, and project managers, to deliver integrated solutions that meet project goals.
• Identify potential project problems and seek advice from the Project Manager.
• Oversee projects through bidding and construction administration phase.

Education And Experience

• Qualifications (one of the following):
• Option A: Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent required
• Option A: 5 years of experience minimum required, 6 preferred, in the building design consulting industry
• Option B: Associates degree, or certificate, in Building Information Modeling (BIM) or Engineering preferred
• Option B: 9 years of experience minimum required, 10 preferred, in the building design consulting or construction industry

Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and concepts involved in the production of technical plans and specifications
• Strong technical and analytical skills including proficiency of principles in thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics relating to mechanical design in HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems
• Strong training and mentoring skills
• Proficiency of industry standard engineering software and tools including HVAC load calculation software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Eagerness to adapt to new challenges
• Proficiency in the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups
• Ability to travel up to 15% with occasional overnight stays

Preferred

• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certification preferred

About The Team

• Do work that matters, supporting mission-critical federal, healthcare, research, laboratory, and secure facility projects where reliability, redundancy, and safety directly support the client’s mission.
• Work on technically challenging projects for major clients and agencies, including NIH, NIST, NAVFAC, USACE, University of Maryland, Morgan State University, and private-sector research clients.
• Collaborate with a seasoned multidisciplinary team of Professional Engineers, LEED Accredited Professionals, energy modeling experts, CFD specialists, lighting designers, commissioning professionals, and healthcare facility design experts.
• Be part of a collaborative, trust-based culture with hybrid work schedules, strong mentorship, technical growth, and meaningful ownership of project outcomes.

Why IMEG

We put people at the center of who we are, creating positive outcomes for people, communities, and our planet.

• Employee ownership (ESOP), fully vested at all times, with a 3% to 6% company contribution, plus year-end profit sharing
• IDEA Program: a firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees across every discipline develop and scale new tools, from VR and AI to carbon-reduction technology
• PE, SE, and other license exam prep and support, with a clear path from EIT to PE
• Dress for Your Day flexibility (wear what fits your day)
• Generous time off, including 6 paid holidays and 3 additional floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one, with preventive care at 100%, a $50/month wellness credit, and a Calm subscription
• MEG, our in-house AI platform, helps employees find information and build agents that streamline project workflows and calculations

State of Maryland Salary Range: $86,000-$120,000 per year

The range listed above represents the base pay IMEG reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position in the work location identified above at the time of posting. For positions available in multiple locations, the minimums and maximums may vary based on work location.

Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure and certifications.

Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options. In addition, IMEG provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). This information is being provided in compliance with local laws. Additional information regarding employee benefits may be found on our company website at www.imegcorp.com.

IMEG is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), gender, national origin, disability, age, genetic information (including family medical history), parental status (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation), ethnic origin, hair type (including hairstyle or hair texture), citizenship status, marital status, military service, veteran’s status, political affiliation, non-merit-based factors, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with antidiscrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to put into effect these principles and mandates. IMEG prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. IMEG conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

All applicants have the right to request access, correction, and deletion of their personal information from our system. In order to make a request, please email [e-mail].