Senior HVAC Project Engineer – Commercial / Industrial Systems (BSME / PE)

KLA Industries, Inc.; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full corporate benefits package

Job summary

KLA Industries seeks a Senior HVAC Project Engineer to lead commercial/industrial HVAC design efforts in the Fox Valley region. The role blends technical system design, client consultation, and bid support, with opportunities to advance toward leadership tracks.

You will perform load calculations, boiler/chiller plant design, and piping layouts while coordinating with sales, estimating, and fabrication teams to deliver customized HVAC solutions.

Qualifications

• Education & Professional Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or State-Licensed HVAC Designer.
• Industry Experience: 3+ years of hands-on commercial/industrial HVAC design experience, ideally in a fast-paced mechanical contractor setting.
• Software Fluency: Proficiency using AutoCAD, Revit, HVAC load calculation software, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Scope & Feasibility Analysis: Analyze inquiries and site requirements to determine scope, assess feasibility, and propose HVAC solutions.
• System Engineering & Design: Design high-performance HVAC systems for commercial/industrial facilities, including plants, offices, and warehouses.
• Engineering Calculations: Perform load calculations, air distribution sizing, boiler/chiller plant design, piping layouts, and steam routing.
• Bid Support & Modeling: Develop schematic designs and CAD/Revit models to aid estimating teams with labor/material costs.
• Client Presentation & Drafting: Prepare technical proposal letters and present concepts to building owners and contractors.
• Plan Review & Compliance: Coordinate drawings and plan reviews to ensure compliance with codes.

Skills

HVAC system design

Client-facing communication

Site inspections

Education

BSME/PE or HVAC Designer License

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

HVAC load calculation software

Excel

Job description

Senior HVAC Project Engineer - Commercial / Industrial Systems (BSME / PE)

$120,000 - $160,000/yr Fox Valley / Northeast WI Area Flexible 1st Shift Direct-Hire

• Pay & Incentives: Base salary up to $160,000/yr depending on experience + full corporate benefits package, with clear advancement pathways to Lead Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Management.
• Work Pattern/Schedule: Flexible 1st-shift schedule (6:00 AM - 5:00 PM core window) averaging 40-45 hours per week with minimal overtime.
• Environment & Company Profile: Direct-hire seat with a debt-free, financially independent industry leader boasting a 7 to 10-year average employee tenure and a collaborative, employee-centered culture.
• Core Functional Scope: High-visibility role blending technical HVAC system engineering (load calculations, boiler/chiller plant design, piping/air distribution) with direct client consultation, proposal drafting, and bid support.
• Strict Requirements & Authorization: Requires BSME, PE, or Licensed HVAC Designer status, 3+ years of commercial/industrial HVAC design depth, US work authorization, and ability to execute site visits within ~1 hour of Fox Valley, WI.

If you are a Mechanical Engineer or HVAC Design Engineer who thrives on active client collaboration, this direct-hire seat is tailored for your career growth. Our client is a financially independent, debt-free leader specializing in complex industrial refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, and custom metal fabrication systems.

Reporting directly to the Director of Business Development, you will serve as a key technical liaison—working alongside sales, estimating, and fabrication teams to engineer custom HVAC solutions while building lasting client relationships. Stepping away from isolated drafting screens, this high-visibility position offers executive exposure, excellent work-life balance, and structured career advancement within a premier regional contractor.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Scope & Feasibility Analysis: Analyze customer inquiries and site requirements to determine project scope, conduct feasibility assessments, and propose custom technical HVAC solutions.
• System Engineering & Design: Design high-performance HVAC systems for commercial and industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants, laboratories, corporate offices, and warehouses.
• Engineering Calculations: Execute load calculations, air distribution sizing, boiler/chiller plant design, pump and piping layouts, and steam routing.
• Bid Support & Modeling: Develop schematic designs and CAD/Revit models during the bidding phase to help estimating teams establish precise labor and material costs.
• Client Presentation & Scope Drafting: Draft technical proposal letters and present engineering concepts directly to building owners, general contractors, and plant managers.
• Plan Review & Compliance: Coordinate construction drawings and arrange state/local plan reviews, ensuring full compliance with regional mechanical and energy codes.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Education & Professional Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or a State-Licensed HVAC Designer.
• Industry Experience: 3+ years of hands-on commercial/industrial HVAC design experience, ideally developed within a fast-paced mechanical contractor setting.
• Software Fluency: Proficiency using AutoCAD, Revit, specialized HVAC load calculation software, and Excel.
• Client-Facing Presence: Outstanding presentation skills and comfort collaborating directly with project executives, facility managers, and vendor partners.
• Site Mobility: Valid driver's license and ability to execute site walkthroughs (climbing ladders, accessing mechanical spaces) within ~1 hour of the Fox Valley area.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Mechanical Contractor Background: Prior experience working directly for an industrial or commercial mechanical contracting firm.
• Industry Certifications: Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or LEED AP accreditation.
• Cross-Functional Knowledge: Familiarity with industrial ventilation, steam systems, heavy ammonia refrigeration, or commercial plumbing codes.