Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - HVAC Systems (Construction)

JHKelly, LLC; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Vision/Rx

Paid Vacation and Holidays

401K with company match

Life Insurance

Annual Bonuses

Profit Sharing

Job summary

JH Kelly is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead HVAC design from concept to completion for large commercial and healthcare projects in the Seattle area, ensuring error-free, coordinated designs and on-time delivery.

The role requires 10+ years in HVAC design, strong proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam Revu, and a BS in Engineering. PE and LEED are valued; healthcare experience is essential. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years’ mechanical HVAC engineering design including calculations, equipment selection, and layout of HVAC systems for healthcare and commercial facilities.
• Skills: MS Office proficiency; load calculation software familiarity; strong written and verbal communication.
• Mindset: self-starter, organized, able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Tech Savvy: proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam Revu.
• Education: BS in Engineering; PE preferred; LEED accreditation is a plus.
• Other: valid driver's license; overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead design direction from concept to completion for HVAC systems and central plants.
• Perform engineering calculations, equipment selection, and layout for air handling, ductwork, piping.
• Model and document designs using Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam Revu; coordinate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

HVAC design experience

Education

BS in Engineering

PE preferred

LEED accreditation a plus

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - HVAC

JH Kelly

3422 1st Ave S,
Seattle, WA 98134

Salary: 115,000.00 - 145,000.00 USD / YEAR

At JH Kelly, we’re looking for a driven, systems-thinking Senior Mechanical Design Engineerwho thrives on leading HVAC design direction from concept to completion—delivering coordinated, error-free designs for mechanical construction projects through calculations, equipment selection, and layouts for air handling, duct distribution, hydronic systems, pipe distribution, and central plants—while managing tight schedules and deadlines with precision. This is your chance to make a real impact. This role is for someone who brings energy, technical mastery, and collaborative leadership to the table every day.

Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family-owned construction powerhouse known for tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader fueled by an award-winning team committed to safety, quality, and a dynamic, tight-knit culture. Learn more about our story at www.jhkelly.com

Who We’re Looking For

We want a leader who doesn’t wait for direction but dives in, anticipates coordination needs, and delivers flawless work. You’re curious, confident without arrogance, and already leveraging modern tools (like Revit and load calculation software) to work smarter and faster. If you can juggle design deadlines, guide a multi-disciplinary effort, and keep the big picture in focus, you’re the kind of force multiplier we need to drive our mechanical engineering forward. Our projects span commercial markets with a focus on Healthcare, and this role is based in Seattle, WA.

What You’ll Do

As our Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll lead design direction from concept to completion, providing engineering consultation, coordination, modeling, and documentation in a design/build delivery. This isn’t a junior role—it’s about leadership, execution, and technical excellence.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $145,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications. (FLSA Exempt)

Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll take on:

• Lead engineering design direction from project conception to completion, ensuring high-quality, fully coordinated designs that are free of errors and delivered on time.
• Conduct engineering calculations, specification, selection, and layout of HVAC systems, including air handling, duct distribution, hydronic systems, pipe distribution, and central plants.
• Design HVAC systems utilizing the latest modeling software, with complete proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam Revu.

Code Compliance & Sustainability

• Understand and complete code-required energy compliance documentation.
• Apply working knowledge of industry building codes, standards, and sustainability metrics (LEED accreditation a plus).

Project Coordination & Communication

• Work closely with business development, estimators, project managers, supply chain, vendors, and operating groups on stand-alone and integrated projects.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with project team members, customers, and vendors; answer design and installation questions for Project Management, Construction, Service, Controls, and other teams.
• Coordinate plumbing design and maintain basic working knowledge of plumbing systems.
• Visit job sites and perform job walks/inspections as needed.
• Manage time to meet project schedules and task deadlines in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn, train for engineering proficiency, and mentor others.
• Perform additional tasks or projects as assigned.

What You Bring

• Experience: 10+ years’ mechanical HVAC engineering design experience with a track record of performing design, calculations, equipment selection, and layout of mechanical HVAC systems. Basic plumbing engineering design experience preferred. Healthcare facility design experience required.
• Skills: Complete understanding of engineering fundamentals; fully proficient in Microsoft Office; familiar with load calculation software. Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Mindset:Self-starter, motivated, organized, productive, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Commitment to meeting design deadlines on time and error-free.
• Tech Savvy: Experience leveraging Revit to deliver engineering design documentation; proficiency in AutoCAD & Bluebeam Revu.
• Education:BS in Engineering. PE preferred. LEED accreditation is a plus.
• Other:Valid driver’s license; ability to work overtime as needed.

Physical Requirements

May regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and distance vision. The employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; walk and sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl (for purposes of assisting with project job walks and site inspections). The employee is occasionally required to reach above shoulder height to access storage cabinets and shelves. Reasonable accommodations are available to support individuals with disabilities.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $145,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications. (FLSA Exempt)

Benefits Package

• Comprehensive Medical/Vision/Rx – Dental/Ortho Coverage: JH Kelly pays 87.5% of total premiums.
• Paid Vacation and Holidays: Generous PTO model to support work-life balance.
• 401K: 50% company match on the first 6% of employee contributions.
• Life Insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD: Paid 100% by JH Kelly.
• Annual Performance Bonuses: Opportunity for additional compensation based on performance.
• Profit Sharing: Participate in JH Kelly’s profit-sharing program. Averaging 9% of total compensation for the past 10 years.

Why JH Kelly?

At JH Kelly, you’re joining a family-oriented team with a legacy of excellence and a passion for innovation. Based in Longview or Vancouver, you’ll support mechanical design across our Pacific Northwest operations, collaborating with our Senior Management Team on high-impact projects.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.