Senior Lead Mechanical Engineer

PAE; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 122,300 - 151,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Employer-paid health insurance

Annual 401(k) profit sharing

Professional development reimburse m e

Commuter/parking stipend

Cell phone stipend

Life insurance and disability benefits

9 paid holidays + day off

Paid time off

Job summary

PAE is seeking a Senior Lead Mechanical Engineer for our San Francisco office to guide project teams through all phases of design, from concept to construction administration. You will oversee deliverables, coordinate with clients and partners, and mentor staff to uphold quality standards.

The ideal candidate brings leadership, strong communication, and advanced mechanical knowledge, including HVAC and energy modeling, with a track record of delivering high‑quality engineering solutions in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional credential (e.g., PE).
• 2–4 years mechanical experience, or 5–10 years related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead project teams and manage discipline to complete projects on time and within budget.
• Prepare deliverable documents including narratives, calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Attend client meetings and coordinate between external and internal project teams.
• Apply engineering judgment, techniques, and procedures to complete projects from concepts through construction.
• Design mechanical systems, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and perform energy modeling.
• Assemble effective project teams and develop workplans, tasks and assignments.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Apply building codes and mechanical industry standards.
• Oversee engineering calculations and equipment selection.
• Perform site visits and submit issue reports.
• Provide training, guidance and mentorship for staff.
• Update master specifications and standards, and improve company processes.
• Develop client relationships and apply the project quality management plan.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Technical leadership

Communication

Delegation

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

PE license

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

The Opportunity

PAE is looking for an experienced and highly capable Senior Lead Mechanical Engineer in our San Francisco office to provide advanced technical leadership and guide project teams through all phases of design. In this key role, you will oversee mechanical engineering project delivery, ensuring work is completed on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with quality and industry standards. You will lead the preparation of engineering deliverables including calculations, narratives, drawings, and specifications, while driving coordination efforts between internal teams, external partners, and clients. Using sound engineering judgment, you will carry projects from conceptual design through construction administration, assemble and manage effective project teams, develop detailed workplans, oversee equipment selection and engineering calculations, conduct site visits, and report progress. You will serve as a technical resource and mentor for staff, provide training and guidance, and contribute to continuous improvement through updates to standards and processes. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, communication, and delegation skills, cultivates client relationships, and upholds the project quality management plan. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned mechanical engineer who thrives in a leadership role and is committed to delivering high‑performance, well‑coordinated engineering solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead project teams and manage discipline to complete projects on time and within budget
• Prepare deliverable documents including narratives, calculations, drawings and specifications
• Attend client meetings and coordinate between external and internal project teams
• Apply engineering judgment, techniques, and procedures to complete projects from concepts through construction
• Design mechanical systems, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and perform energy modeling
• Assemble effective project teams and develop workplans, tasks and assignments
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams
• Apply building codes and mechanical industry standards
• Oversee engineering calculations and equipment selection
• Perform site visits and submit issue reports
• Provide training, guidance and mentorship for staff
• Update master specifications and standards, and improve company processes
• Develop client relationships and apply the project quality management plan
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline
• Relevant professional credential (e.g., PE)
• Minimum of 2‑4 years of mechanical experience, or 5‑10 years of related work experience
• Leadership experience and ability to inspire and motivate staff
• Technical leadership for the company
• Advanced understanding of mechanical engineering concepts and effective communication of design options
• Ability to assemble and run a team
• Strong delegation, attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Revit and AutoCAD

What We Offer

• Hiring Base Salary Range: $122,300 - $151,100 annually
• Eligible for time‑and‑a‑half overtime pay
• Employer‑paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Annual 401(k) profit sharing with company contribution
• Professional development reimbursements (state registration and professional association dues)
• Employer‑paid commuter/parking stipend
• Cell phone stipend
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Hybrid work schedule
• Employee Assistance Program
• 9 paid holidays with an additional employee‑selected day
• Paid time off for sick leave, family leave, community service, holidays and vacation

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions at PAE are based on merit, qualifications and abilities. PAE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical characteristics or disability. PAE will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. PAE is a B Corp and is a JUST label certified company.

Pay Equity Commitment

PAE’s pay scales should meet or exceed applicable legislated wage requirements and industry standards and compensate all individuals performing the same or similar work and work of equal value. For more information on our pay equity commitments, you may view the JUST label certification: Living Future: Just Label Certification.