Part-Time IAQ & HVAC Field Engineer (School Installations)

Poppy; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Poppy in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Field Study & Installation Engineer to support our federally funded BREATHE program, assessing indoor air quality and HVAC systems in middle schools nationwide. You'll visit school facilities to evaluate ventilation, collect data, and document building conditions.

You'll also lead the technical/hands-on side of a prototype installation: deploying a biosensor and IAQ monitoring system in a Bay Area school, coordinating with account managers and

Qualifications

• Background in Civil/Mechanical Engineering, HVAC, IAQ.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE Standards (62.1/241) and ventilation best practices.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and HVAC schematics.
• Multi-system installation experience (ductwork, sensors w connectivity, electrical/placement, filtration).
• Customer-facing or client-site experience, ideally technical/field-based.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site HVAC/ventilation assessments for the ARPA-H BREATHE program.
• Document HVAC configurations, airflow, occupancy, and building conditions.
• Assess feasibility of sensors, air cleaners, and HVAC upgrades (filtration, ductwork, bypass venting).
• Follow field protocols for consistent, accurate data collection.
• Collect materials or samples (air filters) and ship to biosensor team post-visits for analysis.
• Perform quality checks and basic setup on field measurement devices.
• Communicate professionally with facilities staff and administrators.
• Actively engage in planning meetings and debrief sessions.
• For the SF prototype: install sensors/IAQ system/air cleaners/in-duct humidifiers; oversee trades and coordinate maintenance; help build repeatable installation practices for future scale-up.

Skills

Civil/Mechanical Engineering

HVAC

IAQ

ASHRAE Standards

Reading drawings

Client-facing

Job description

Poppy in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Field Study & Installation Engineer to support our federally funded BREATHE program, assessing indoor air quality and HVAC systems in middle schools nationwide. You'll visit school facilities to evaluate ventilation, collect data, and document building conditions.

You'll also lead the technical/hands-on side of a prototype installation: deploying a biosensor and IAQ monitoring system in a Bay Area school, coordinating with account managers and