Plumbing Project Engineer

SVM; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with employer contribution

Paid time off

Volunteer opportunities

Team building activities

Job summary

SVM is seeking a Plumbing Project Engineer to support design, scope, estimating, and engineering for plumbing and piping projects. You will interact with design, detailing, construction teams and vendors to ensure successful project delivery on site in the Bay Area.

Expect a path from assisting 1–2 projects to independent coordination within 9–12 months, with emphasis on communication, scheduling and problem solving. Competitive compensation and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering with HVAC design or related field highly preferred.
• 1+ years’ experience with a Design/Build Mechanical contractor, Project Engineer, Construction or similar role highly preferred.
• Knowledge of plumbing and piping systems, heat transfer and fluid mechanics preferred.
• Proficient MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Bluebeam required.
• Excellent oral and written business communication skills with active listening.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and multitask.
• Professionalism and high level of customer service.
• EIT certification and/or P.E. a plus.
• Willing to submit to a comprehensive background check required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to project design, scope and estimating, customer relations and engineering for Plumbing and Piping projects.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to resolve issues and maintain schedule.
• Attend BIM coordination meetings and sync with the PM; work with site teams.
• Shadow PX/PM on multiple projects and participate in kickoff, turnover and closeout meetings.
• Learn scheduling, budgeting, WIP and change orders; assist with PO payments and vendor communications.
• Own project management elements on 1–2 projects within 9–12 months.

Skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Customer service

Professionalism

Active listening

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Mechanical Engineering (HVAC design) or related field

EIT and/or P.E. certification (a plus)

Tools

MS Office

Bluebeam

Job description

Are you someone who can adapt their communication style across a variety of design and construction groups to get work done? Do you want to surround yourself with enthusiastic industry leaders who support your personal and professional growth?

As a Plumbing Project Engineer, you will have the opportunity to contribute to project design, scope and estimating, customer relations and engineering for Plumbing and Piping projects. You will get to use your problem-solving skills to address issues that may arise internally from engineering to construction and externally with different vendors and contractors. Are you known for being systematized, a troubleshooter and enjoy contributing to the team’s success? If so, we are excited to meet you!

What You Will Do

Within the first 30 days:

• Begins to integrate into the Silicon Valley Mechanical (SVM) culture, mission, core values, services, service history, and operations procedures and fundamentals.
• Becomes familiar with the file structure from engineering, to detailing, to construction to close out and leans the technology used in the role including BuildingConnected, FastPIPE and FastDUCT.
• Attends weekly BIM coordination meetings and Sync meetings with the PM. Partners with PX/PM to walk job sites and build rapport with the site teams.
• Shadows a PX/PM on multiple projects to become familiar with the intricacies of the role and on communication with GCs to understand how to build strong and fruitful connections.
• Shadows PX during kickoff meetings on new projects and during Sunset meetings to wrap up a project. Attends turnover meetings with the Engineering department and debriefs with PX or PM to discuss learning and takeaways.

Within the next 3 months and ongoing:

• Learns how to schedule wrap-ups on projects and assists with building tentative deadlines to project timeline for final closeouts.
• Is shadowing and performing tasks on 2-3 projects of varying sizes with oversight and guidance from a PX/PM. Participates/guides Kickoff meetings is fielding calls with GCs and subcontractors as questions and issues arise.
• Learns financial tasks required for estimating, WIP and change orders. Partners with purchasing to be active in driving PO payments and reaching out to vendors about outstanding balances.

Within the next 6 months and ongoing:

• Is independent in the coordination of tasks that come up in the field and checks in with PX as needed, continuing to ask questions as nuances come up for greater learning and understanding.
• Begins to own the project management elements of 1-2 projects and take direction on various tasks with the supervision of a PX/PM.
• At 9 months, begins to learn the pre-construction process; how to communicate with vendors and GCs to negotiate pricing and compare proposals.

Within the next 12 months and ongoing:

• Is 100% proficient in the process and autonomous in the role and completes all tasks with minimal oversight. At 12 months, meets with the PX for an annual review and feedback.
• Within the next 18-24 months, begins to become more involved in the pre-construction process and leads kickoff meetings for 2-3 projects with minimal oversight from PX.
• Begins to ask insightful questions about new designs, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), and how they play into code as well as learning more about chillers and coolers.

Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering with HVAC design or related field highly preferred
• 1+ years’ experience with a Design/Build Mechanical contractor, Project Engineer, Construction or similar role highly preferred
• Knowledge of plumbing and piping systems, heat transfer and fluid mechanics preferred
• Proficient MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Bluebeam required
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written business communication skills, with proven ability to actively listen a must
• Proven ability to learn quickly and multitask a must
• Demonstrates professionalism and the highest level of customer service a must
• EIT certification and/or P.E. a plus
• Is willing to submit to a comprehensive background check required

Compensation & Company Benefits Include

This is a full-time exempt position. The compensation for this role is $90,000- $135,000 annually and is based on experience and skillset.

Health: Medical / Dental / Vision / Life & Disability Insurance / FSA

Well-Being: Robust Maternity & Paternity Leave / EAP / Paid Holidays / PTO / Sick Leave / Interactive Breakroom

Financial Wellness: 401k w/ Employer Contribution / Employee Referral Bonus / “Positive Pulse”

Community Investment: Volunteer Opportunities / Team Building Activities / Employee Activities

Physical Requirements

As a Plumbing Project Engineer in the Mechanical Contracting Industry, there are certain physical requirements you should be aware of. These requirements ensure that you are capable of performing the necessary tasks safely and effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified applicants who may not be able to fulfil certain aspects of the role. The key physical requirements for this role are outlined below:

• This role may involve physical activity including walking, standing, and driving while moving around the office and visiting construction sites.
• This role may be required to lift equipment, materials or tools up to 50 lbs.
• This role may be required to work at elevated heights and in various work conditions when overseeing installations and other project processes.
• This role may be required to navigate through confined spaces such as mechanical rooms, crawlspaces, or attics.
• This role may require reviewing and interpreting architectural drawings, schematics, blueprints and other technical documents related to plumbing projects.
• This role may work in various environments, including construction sites, commercial buildings, etc.
• This role may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during job walks and site visits.

Who We Are

At SVM, we are more than just a leading mechanical contractor specializing in design-build commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, service/maintenance, and 24-hour emergency services. We’re a team dedicated to supporting the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Nevada regions with trusted expertise and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences at every level.

Our success is built on a collaborative culture that values teamwork, innovation, and doing the right thing. We take pride in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every team member feels supported, valued, and empowered to grow. At SVM, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we prioritize their development, well-being, and success.

Our state-of-the-art fabrication facility reflects our dedication to quality and efficiency. By leveraging cutting-edge 3D design and manufacturing technology, we detail and fabricate ductwork, piping, and pre-skidded equipment to execute projects with precision and excellence.

At SVM, we don’t just focus on work—we focus on balance. We encourage a life-work approach that allows our team to thrive both personally and professionally. We are committed to helping our team members grow, stay curious, and work collaboratively to tackle any challenge. With the support of peers, managers, and executive leadership, our team is equipped to succeed and build meaningful careers.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhausted list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.