Principal Engineer – Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer

Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking a Principal Engineer — Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer to support the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. The role focuses on leading HVAC design efforts, ensuring quality, schedule, and cost-effective results, and providing engineering guidance across projects.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D./Master/Bachelor in engineering with 10+ years of HVAC design experience in nuclear or process chemical environments, and familiarity with NFPA, ASHRAE, ASME, SMACNA,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years HVAC design experience in nuclear or process chemical industries.
• Knowledge of NFPA 90A/90B/91/801.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE Fundamentals.
• Knowledge of ASME AG-1, ASME 509, ASME 510.
• Knowledge of SMACNA requirements.
• Knowledge of ARI 410/430/450.
• Experience developing HVAC design calculations (sizing, loads, ducting, etc).
• Ability to develop or modify P&IDs, system descriptions, and equipment lists.
• Ability to perform vendor document reviews.
• Ability to walk down systems in the field.

Responsibilities

• Define scope of technical programs and develop quality solutions.
• Apply site systems to meet quality, schedule, and cost goals.
• Provide technical guidance to less senior professionals.
• Lead in solving complex problems and act as technical expert.
• Develop HVAC designs and design output documents.
• Perform calculations for sizing, loads, and air balancing.
• Create/modify P&IDs, system descriptions, and equipment lists.
• Support integration with fire protection design.
• Review vendor documents and ensure SRNS compliance.
• Communicate results and objectives to customers and management.

Skills

HVAC design

NFPA knowledge

ASHRAE Fundamentals

ASME AG-1/509/510

SMACNA standards

ARI 410/430/450

P&IDs & specifications

Vendor document reviews

Field walkdowns

Education

Ph.D. in engineering or science

Master's in engineering

Bachelor's in engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) in Mechanical/Chemical/Nuclear

Tools

MicroStation CAD

Job description

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for a Principal Engineer — Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer opportunity to support the Savannah River Site.

Work Location:Aiken, SC

Application Deadline: 10/07/2026 (by Noon ET)

Principal Engineer — Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer

Duties:

• Define scope of technical programs and develop effective, quality solutions to challenges involving unique or complex problems.
• Meet company and industry requirements and apply site systems to achieve quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Provide technical guidance and assistance to less senior professionals.
• Apply technical experience in a field of specialization or broad-based experience in multiple technical fields to resolve complex problems.
• Incorporate advanced technical practices and complex technical requirements into problem solving and program planning.
• Provide leadership in determining solutions to complex problems and serve as a technical expert within the assigned functional area.
• Provide direction across department lines on programs seeking new approaches to problems and new applications of existing engineering or scientific principles.
• Evaluate program results and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Identify and recommend improvements where established technology or methodologies are inadequate.
• Maintain knowledge of advancements in applicable technologies.
• Prepare plans, schedules, budgets, and personnel requirements for technical tasks.
• Develop schedules, monitor progress and expenditures, and review the quality of work performed.
• Communicate technical results and objectives to customers, colleagues, and management.
• Provide design engineering staff augmentation support to SRNS.
• Develop HVAC designs and generate design output documents.
• Perform calculations for equipment sizing, duct sizing, pressure drops, cooling tower sizing, heating and cooling loads, and air balancing.
• Create and modify piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), system descriptions, and mechanical equipment lists.
• Support integration of HVAC and mechanical designs with fire protection design.
• Perform vendor document reviews.
• Provide engineering services in accordance with SRNS processes and procedures.

Education/Yrs. of Experience:

• Ph.D. degree in an applicable science or engineering discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in an applicable science or engineering discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable science or engineering discipline and 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear Engineering OR current registration as a Professional Engineer in Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear Engineering.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of HVAC design experience in the nuclear or process chemical industry.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NFPA 90A, NFPA 90B, NFPA 91, and NFPA 801.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ASHRAE Fundamentals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ASME AG-1, ASME 509, and ASME 510.
• Demonstrated knowledge of SMACNA requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ARI 410, 430, and 450.
• Experience developing HVAC design calculations, including equipment sizing, duct sizing, pressure drops, cooling tower sizing, heating and cooling loads, and air balancing.
• Ability to develop or modify P&IDs, system descriptions, and mechanical equipment lists.
• Ability to perform vendor document reviews.
• Ability to walk down systems in the field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with 2D MicroStation Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD).
• Previous SRNS design experience and familiarity with the processes and procedures used to provide engineering support to Savannah River Site facilities.
• Possession of an active DOE “Q” security clearance (L or Q) within the past two (2) years.

Other Job Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” security clearance. An active DOE clearance is not initially required to perform assigned duties.
• Must be able to perform weekly field walkdowns of the job site for engineering work being performed.
• Field walkdowns may include construction sites with uneven surfaces and active work in progress, walking distances greater than one-half mile, climbing ladders to access remote areas, and wearing required protective clothing.
• Up to a 40-hour work week is scheduled. SRNS utilizes various work schedules, including 5/8s, 4/10s, and 9/80s.
• Overtime may be required at times to meet project deliverables and will be utilized at the discretion of the Manager.

Edgewater Technical Associates will not submit your resume without first having detailed discussions with you and obtaining your permission to do so. We look forward to hearing from you!

WORKING WITH EDGEWATER TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES

Founded in 2003, Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC (Edgewater) is a New Mexico-based small business headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, with five (5) regional offices across the United States to locally support our growing presence at project sites. Edgewater has a proven track record and is a trusted provider of fixed-price construction projects, engineering, and technical services for the Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, and private sector commercial contractors involved in nuclear, high-hazard, or complex operations. Edgewater’s experience and guidance ensure that our customers perform hazardous operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain the highest quality and safety standards.

Edgewater is committed to recruiting and maintaining a staff of highly skilled professionals to support our customers. In keeping with this objective, we offer highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre- and post-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.

View all Edgewater job opportunities at

www.edgewatertech.net/careers