Senior HVAC Engineer

Salas O'Brien; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Wellness programs

Job summary

Salas O’Brien, Inc. is seeking a senior HVAC engineer with extensive pharmaceutical industry experience to lead detailed HVAC design for new facilities and renovations.

The role includes technical leadership, guiding junior engineers, and coordinating with clients in a hybrid work environment. The candidate will manage scope, perform load calculations, and ensure code compliance while delivering high-impact engineering solutions across diverse industrial markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 12-15 years of HVAC/mechanical systems experience; 7+ years in pharma.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Ohio; comity in other states.
• Proficient with design tools and codes for HVAC systems.
• Willingness to lead teams and mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed HVAC system designs based on scope and RFPs.
• Lead projects and coordinate with other disciplines and clients.
• Provide construction administration and submittal review.
• Perform load calculations and energy analyses; validate system performance.
• Ensure code compliance and quality control per firm policies.
• Support business development and proposal development.

Skills

HVAC design

Project leadership

Client liaison

Load calculations

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

Revit

AutoCAD

Trace3D

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary: The candidate will provide detailed engineering design of HVAC systems for new facilities, additions, and renovations to existing facilities. The position will work in a variety of industrial and manufacturing markets with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry. The candidate will provide technical leadership to other engineers within the department and guide less experienced members through the HVAC design process. This position is offered in a hybrid work environment, with a combination of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.The candidate must reside within 30 miles of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Responsibilities:

• Develop detailed and efficient HVAC system designs based on scope of work and/or client RFPs
• Provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of HVAC systems for a variety of market types with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry
• Perform Load/Energy calculations with software such as Trane Trace3D and internally developed calculation tools.
• Conduct existing building surveys and documentation of existing HVAC systems
• Develop system design calculations and selection of equipment for use in buildings
• Prepare detailed design documents, reports, and studies
• Complete code compliance research
• Coordinate work with other disciplines
• Provide construction administration services such as submittal review, RFI responses, and punch list walks.
• Perform quality control checks for the work of other engineers as defined in the Salas O’Brien quality control policies
• Oversee and provide guidance to junior engineers
• Lead project teams and serve as the primary contact for clients during the design process
• Assist in the procurement of new work; including the development of client relations, participation in project interviews, and development of engineering scopes of work, fees, and proposals.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience: 12-15 years of professional experience in HVAC and related mechanical systems with at least 7 of these years within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Certifications: Must possess a Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Ohio and be able to acquire other states through comity application.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in using engineering tools and software including:
  • Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Familiarity with Revit and AutoCAD
  • Experience with Trace3D or other load calculation software
  • Expertise in the development and design of HVAC systems including critical environment systems
  • Understanding of codes, standards, and design best practices as it relates to HVAC systems
• Adaptability: Flexibility and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment on various projects and tasks, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm.
• Initiative: Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to drive projects forward.

Travel: Up to 25%

Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible forperformance-based bonuses and a comprehensiveU.S. basedbenefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here .

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice

Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering.

Preferred

Masters or better in Mechanical Engineering.

Experience

Required

12-15 years: 12-15 years of professional experience in HVAC and related mechanical systems with at least 7 of these years within the pharmaceutical industry.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.