Senior Mechanical Engineer

United Future; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United Future is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design on larger projects in the New England region. The role focuses on central plant and campus energy work, including decarbonization efforts and certification pathways.

You will oversee design from feasibility to construction, collaborate with architects and owners, and mentor junior staff. Hybrid roles with travel to client sites are involved.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical engineering required.
• 7+ years designing HVAC for institutional/commercial buildings with project-team leadership.
• Strong central plant and hydronic system design experience, or building energy modeling with life-cycle cost analysis.
• Proficiency in whole-building energy modeling and load calculation tools (IES VE, TRACE, HAP or similar).
• PE license preferred.
• Comfortable presenting to clients and coordinating across disciplines.
• Capable managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Run mechanical design from feasibility through construction documents and administration.
• Design heating/cooling plants and distribution: hot water, steam, chilled water, ground/ground-source heat pumps.
• Design air-side systems including energy recovery, radiant heating/cooling, and humidity-controlled spaces.
• Develop load calculations and energy models; compare options using life-cycle cost.
• Write control sequences and set building automation strategies.
• Lead decarbonization and electrification studies for campuses.
• Carry mechanical scope on LEED, Passive House, Living Building, or WELL projects.
• Review work of engineers/designers; mentor junior colleagues.
• Coordinate with architects, owners, utilities, and contractors; represent discipline in reviews.

Skills

HVAC design

Central plant design

Energy modeling

Load calculations

Life-cycle cost analysis

Project leadership

Client coordination

PE license

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

IES VE

Trane TRACE

Carrier HAP

Job description

About our client

Our client is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm whose New England mechanical group designs heating, cooling, and ventilation systems for colleges and universities, hospitals, laboratories, and data centers. The group's work includes central plant and campus energy engineering: converting steam and high-temperature hot water plants to low-temperature heat pump systems, ground-source and water-source heat pump design, and the energy studies that lead up to those decisions.

The role

The Senior Mechanical Engineer runs mechanical design on the group's larger projects and serves as the technical lead on central plant and campus energy work. The position is hybrid and can sit in any of the firm's offices in Greater Boston, central New Hampshire, or southern Maine, with some travel to client sites.

What you would be doing

• Run mechanical design from feasibility studies and utility master plans through construction documents and construction administration
• Design heating and cooling plants and their distribution: hot water, steam, chilled water, ground-source heat exchange, and water-source and air-source heat pump systems
• Design air-side systems, including air handling with energy recovery, radiant heating and cooling, and spaces that need tight temperature and humidity control
• Build and check load calculations and whole-building energy models, and compare system options on life-cycle cost
• Write control sequences and set the building automation strategy for your projects
• Lead decarbonization and electrification studies for campus and institutional clients
• Carry the mechanical scope on projects pursuing LEED, Passive House, Living Building, or WELL certification
• Review the work of the engineers and designers on your projects and develop them
• Coordinate with architects, owners, utilities, and contractors
• Represent the mechanical discipline in client meetings and design reviews

What we are looking for

• BS in mechanical engineering
• 7 or more years designing HVAC systems for institutional and commercial buildings, with experience leading project teams
• Depth in central plant and hydronic system design, or in building energy modeling and life-cycle cost analysis
• Working proficiency in a whole-building energy modeling and load calculation platform (IES VE, Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, or similar)
• PE license preferred
• Comfortable presenting to clients and coordinating across disciplines
• Able to carry several projects at once