Senior Mechanical Engineer

Gilder Search Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 128,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle allowance

Gas card

ESOP

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Paid personal time

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead HVAC and plumbing design for healthcare and higher education projects in Sacramento, onsite. You will mentor junior engineers and coordinate with architects, contractors, and field teams to ensure successful project delivery.

The role offers a competitive $150,000+ annual compensation, an annual incentive bonus, a $500 monthly vehicle allowance, a gas card, ESOP ownership, and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience designing HVAC and plumbing for commercial construction.
• Proficient in Revit and AutoCAD for mechanical design.
• Skilled in HVAC load calculations and equipment sizing.
• Experience coordinating with architects and contractors.
• Healthcare/higher education project experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead HVAC and plumbing design from preconstruction through completion.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and field teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure design quality.
• Review change orders and manage project schedules.
• Support project delivery and constructability of designs.

Skills

HVAC design

Revit

AutoCAD

Load calculations

Piping systems

Coordination

Multidisciplinary teams

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

This position is onsite in Sacramento, CA

You have built a reputation for delivering technically challenging projects. Now join a company whose reputation opens the door to the best ones.

Your opportunity: Senior Mechanical Engineer

You will be trusted to lead high-impact projects while enjoying the stability, resources, and work-life balance that come with one of the region's most respected employee-owned organizations.

Your success will be rewarded beyond your compensation. Through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you will automatically become an owner in the company, building equity over time without purchasing shares yourself. Once vested, those shares remain yours—creating a significant long-term retirement benefit while allowing you to share directly in the value you help create.

Senior Mechanical Engineer – Your Job Duties

You will lead the design of HVAC and plumbing mechanical engineering projects (emphasis in healthcare projects and higher education) from preconstruction through job completion.

Pre-Con

• Collaborate with the estimator to set the project scope for bid / proposal
• Attend pre-construction job walks to work with estimating on job scope
• Develop engineering concepts, preparing sketches, selecting equipment

Active Projects

• Lead mechanical engineering design for HVAC, plumbing, piping, and central utility plant projects (mainly large healthcare and higher education, commercial projects)
• Serve as the lead Mechanical Engineer on assigned projects, driving schedules, design quality, and project execution.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, including fast paced special projects and large construction projects.
• Perform HVAC load calculations, equipment sizing and selection, and mechanical system layouts using Revit and AutoCAD.
• Design HVAC distribution systems, plumbing systems, medical gas systems, cooling towers, chillers, and central utility plants
• Prepare and review Title 24 compliance documentation
• Coordinate designs with architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, electrical engineers, project managers, estimators, and field teams.
• Identify potential risks, review change orders, and support constructability throughout the project lifecycle
• Participate in job walks, site visits, and construction meetings to ensure successful implementation of design intent
• Support engineering quality by mentoring junior Mechanical Design Engineers and providing technical guidance on project work
• Maintain professional communication with clients, contractors, and internal teams while helping strengthen long-term relationships

Senior Mechanical Engineer– You Have (Required Skills, Experience & Team Fit)

You have prior experience:

• Designing HVAC and plumbing systems for commercial construction projects
• Using Revit and AutoCAD for mechanical system design
• HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, and mechanical system layouts
• Complex plumbing and piping systems
• Coordinating engineering designs with architects, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams

You Are Excited By:

• Working with a company and team that collaborates on challenging, high profile projects
• The opportunity to mentor other engineers

You Might Have:

• Experience with design for healthcare, hospital, or higher education construction projects
• Central utility plant design, cooling towers, chillers, and complex HVAC piping systems
• Professional Engineer (PE) license

Senior Mechanical Engineer – Benefits for You

Your compensation will be $150,000++ annually, plus annual incentive bonus, plus a $500 monthly vehicle allowance and a gas card.

In addition, you will receive automatic participation in the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving you ownership in the business that you will own and receive the benefits of for life.

You will also be provided with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% paid company benefits for you, a 401(k) with company match, paid vacation, paid personal time, paid sick leave, and more.