Principal Mechanical Engineer, Rail + Transit

TYLin; New York (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Education benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan with company matching

Job summary

TYLin in New York is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of mechanical systems for complex transit infrastructure, with emphasis on HVAC, tunnel ventilation, and elevator/vertical transportation for MTA stations and facilities.

This senior role combines technical leadership and project management across multidisciplinary teams, with responsibilities from concept through final design, client interfaces, and QA/QC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in rail/transit or complex facilities.
• Deep expertise in HVAC and tunnel ventilation design for underground environments.
• Experience leading elevator/vertical transportation design for stations.
• PE license strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of HVAC, tunnel ventilation, smoke control, and related systems for transit facilities.
• Act as technical authority for vertical transportation systems.
• Manage design packages from concept to final design with drawings and reports.
• Oversee calculations, airflow modeling, system sizing, and performance-based design.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA, ASHRAE, NYC Building Code, and transit authority requirements.
• Collaborate with architects, structural, electrical, and life safety teams.
• Provide project management leadership, scheduling, budgeting, and client interface.
• Mentor mechanical staff and grow TYLin’s Rail + Transit capability.
• Participate in design reviews, QA/QC, and technical decisions.

Skills

HVAC design

Tunnel ventilation design

Project leadership

Client interface

Mentoring staff

Communication with MTA

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

TYLin is a globally recognized, full-service infrastructure consulting firm committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, constructible designs for the global infrastructure market. With over 3,000 employees throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe, the firm provides support on projects of varying size and complexity. Together, we enhance conventional designs with smarter, more resilient systems. We provide people with better mobility. We steward precious resources by finding more sustainable solutions.

Job Summary

TYLin’s Rail + Transit team is expanding, and we are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of mechanical systems for some of the most complex transit infrastructure projects in North America. This is a senior technical and project management leadership role focused on HVAC, tunnel ventilation, and elevator/vertical transportation systems supporting MTA stations, tunnels, and transit facilities.

If you are passionate about mechanical design excellence, solving high-stakes engineering challenges in underground and urban environments, this is an opportunity to shape the next generation of rail and transit systems.

While this role is anchored in the New York / MTA market, the scope is expected to grow over time and may expand to support major transit programs in other regions across the U.S.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

What You’ll Do

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide both technical leadership and project oversight across multidisciplinary design teams delivering critical station and facility infrastructure.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the mechanical design of HVAC, tunnel ventilation, smoke control, and supporting building systems for transit stations, tunnels, and rail facilities.
• Serve as a technical authority for vertical transportation systems, including elevators and related station accessibility systems.
• Manage design packages from concept through final design, including drawings, specifications, and engineering reports.
• Oversee engineering calculations, airflow modeling, system sizing, and performance-based design approaches.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and codes, including NFPA, ASHRAE, NYC Building Code, and transit authority requirements.
• Partner closely with architects, structural, electrical, fire/life safety, and systems teams to deliver fully integrated solutions.
• Provide project management leadership, supporting schedules, budgets, technical coordination, and client interface.
• Mentor and develop mechanical engineering staff, helping grow TYLin’s mechanical design capability within Rail + Transit.
• Participate in design reviews, QA/QC processes, and technical decision-making throughout project delivery.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, ideally within rail, transit, or complex facility environments.
• Deep expertise in HVAC and tunnel ventilation design for underground or enclosed infrastructure.
• Experience supporting or leading elevator/vertical transportation design for station and facility projects.
• Strong knowledge of relevant engineering standards, life safety requirements, and transit agency design criteria.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage design deliverables on major capital infrastructure programs.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working directly with clients such as the MTA and other major transit agencies.
• PE license strongly preferred.

Additional Information

TYLin is committed to pay equity. As part of that commitment, we have provided the base compensation range of$200,000 - $260,000 annually for this position and local market. We recognize that each candidate brings a unique set of skills, experience, education and competencies to the table that will be reflected in our offer.TYLin is proud to offer exciting career development opportunities.

TYLin offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Our benefits may include extensive medical, disability and life insurance coverage, continuing education benefits, paid time off, employee assistance program and a retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

We encourage all candidates to explore our total rewards offering.

Collaboration, mission-driven focus, discipline, and leadership skills developed through military service benefit us all. Whether you are a Veteran, Guardsman or Reservist, a Military Spouse or you are planning to transition to civilian life in the near future, we welcome and value your application.

TYLin is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type as protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The company and its employees are required to comply with all local health authority, legal or lawful client requirements.