Refrigeration Engineer in Training

Cushing Terrell; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Refrigeration EIT to design refrigeration systems for national retail clients, with on-site work in Boise, ID or Missoula, MT. You will perform load calculations, select equipment, and produce construction documents, cycling between projects and sharing workload across the team.

The role offers onboarding support, exposure to full project lifecycle, occasional site travel (4–6 trips/year), and growth toward licensure or portfolio development within a collaborative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 0–5 years of relevant project experience.
• Familiarity with Autodesk MEP Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and MS Office.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and analyze product specifications.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform engineering analysis and load calculations to determine cooling demand.
• Develop system architecture for refrigeration projects, including DX, CO2, and hybrid configurations.
• Produce plans, sections, details, specifications, and schedules as part of complete construction document packages.
• Coordinate with MEP, architectural, and structural disciplines to resolve design conflicts and align deliverables.
• Prepare project submittals for owner review and permit approval, and respond to RFIs during bidding.
• Research applicable codes and jurisdictional requirements and implement findings in project designs.
• Travel to project sites as needed to observe conditions and support field coordination.

Skills

Calculations

Collaboration

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

FE exam (preferred)

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

MS Office

Job description

Position Description

As a Refrigeration EIT, you will work on-site alongside senior engineers and project managers to design refrigeration systems for national retail clients, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and distribution warehouses. This role is based in our Boise, ID or Missoula, MT office. Day to day, you will perform load calculations, select system components, and produce construction documents, with projects typically cycling on a two-week turnaround. Early on, you will focus on one project at a time to build your process and confidence. Within roughly a year, you can expect to manage three to five projects simultaneously at different phases, with daily and weekly check-ins to share workload across the team.

Cushing Terrell's refrigeration practice works with major national retail accounts, and this role gives you direct exposure to the full project lifecycle, from system architecture and equipment selection through permit submittal, RFI response, and bid support. You will sit with your team, with immediate access to ask questions, and you will get into the field periodically to see the systems you design in place. Occasional site travel is part of the role, averaging four to six trips per year during weekdays. Whether you come in as an EIT working toward licensure or as a designer building your refrigeration portfolio, you will find a structured onboarding program, a skilled MEP team, and a workload that keeps moving without burning you out.

Position Salary Range*

The expected salary range for this position is $64,000 to $77,000 annually.

Required Qualifications**

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 0 to 5 years of relevant project experience
• Familiarity with Autodesk MEP Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and analyze product specifications
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a willingness to ask questions and seek input

Preferred Qualifications**

• FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam passed or in progress
• Hands-on experience with Revit or AutoCAD from coursework or prior work
• Interest in AI tools and emerging technology applications in engineering practice

Position Responsibilities***

• Perform engineering analysis and load calculations to determine cooling demand and select equipment with the capacity to meet it
• Develop system architecture for refrigeration projects, including component selection and coordination across DX, CO2, and hybrid configurations
• Produce plans, sections, details, specifications, and schedules as part of complete construction document packages
• Coordinate with MEP, architectural, and structural disciplines inside and outside the firm to resolve design conflicts and align deliverables
• Prepare project submittals for owner review and permit approval, and respond to RFIs during the bidding process
• Research applicable codes and jurisdictional requirements and implement findings in project designs
• Travel to project sites as needed to observe conditions, support field coordination, and verify installed systems

Working at Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.

Why Cushing Terrell

At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team -- from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging -- placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, 'design meets you.' Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team.

• Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate's years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job‑related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
• The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.

Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.