Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - HVAC and Plumbing Design (PE License Required)

J&T Business Consulting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

PTO and holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

The BKV Group in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with 8+ years of HVAC and plumbing design experience to lead projects from concept through construction.

You will provide senior technical leadership, determine system selections and basis of design, mentor engineers, and coordinate with architecture, structural, electrical, and PM teams to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• Active PE license in Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years of HVAC and plumbing design experience for commercial buildings.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Revit and Trane TRACE or equivalent.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, IMC, IPC, IECC, and local codes.
• Strong leadership and communication skills for client interactions and team mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, system selections, and basis-of-design documentation for commercial/mixed-use projects.
• Direct HVAC and plumbing calculations, models, drawings, and specifications.
• Coordinate with architecture, structural, electrical, and PM disciplines.
• Represent Mechanical in client meetings and design workshops.
• Support construction administration with submittal reviews, RFIs, and site inquiries.
• Mentor engineers and designers; develop and enforce design standards.
• Partner with leadership to conduct QA/QC reviews of deliverables.

Skills

HVAC design

Plumbing design

Leadership

Mentorship

Client communication

QA/QC

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Autodesk Revit

Trane TRACE

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - HVAC and Plumbing Design (PE License Required)

Chicago, United States | Posted on 10/28/2026

Salary Range: $150,000 – $170,000 / year (commensurate with experience)

About the Role

Seeking an accomplished and collaborative Senior Mechanical Engineer with 8+ years of HVAC and plumbing design experience to join the BKV Group team in Chicago, IL.

In this role, you will provide senior technical leadership and design direction to the growing local Chicago mechanical team and national practice. You will lead projects from concept through construction, determine systems selections and basis of design, represent the Mechanical discipline in client and stakeholder meetings, mentor engineers and designers, and ensure high quality and coordination across all mechanical/plumbing deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering design, systems selections, and basis-of-design documentation for leading-edge commercial and mixed-use projects.
• Direct and execute comprehensive HVAC and plumbing calculations, models, drawings, and specifications.
• Coordinate mechanical and plumbing engineering designs seamlessly with architecture, structural, electrical, and project management disciplines.
• Represent the Mechanical discipline at client presentations, stakeholder meetings, and design workshops.
• Support the construction administration phase by reviewing contractor submittals, responding to RFIs, and addressing site inquiries.
• Provide technical mentorship, coaching, and career guidance to mechanical engineers and designers.
• Maintain, refine, and implement firm-wide mechanical and plumbing design standards in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Partner with the Mechanical Director to conduct rigorous quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) reviews on all project deliverables.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Licensure: Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering.

Experience: Minimum of 8 years of focused mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing design experience, with a strong background in commercial building projects.

Software Proficiency:

• Advanced proficiency in Autodesk Revit and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Hands-on experience with Trane TRACE (or comparable building energy and load calculation software).

Codes & Standards: Comprehensive knowledge of ASHRAE standards, International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), energy codes (IECC), and local municipal building codes.

Communication & Leadership: Strong presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead technical discussions, resolve design challenges collaboratively, and interface directly with clients.

Benefits & Compensation

BKV Group provides a competitive total compensation and benefits package focused on supporting career advancement and work-life balance:

• Competitive salary with flexible work schedules
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution options
• Professional development, licensure renewal support, and continuing education programs

An Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.