Senior Mechanical Engineer

Budderfly; Shelton (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Medical, dental, vision

401(k), life insurance, disability

Job summary

Budderfly seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to scale our HVAC Ultra-High-Performance (UHP) program within Field Operations. You will lead design packages, enable repeatable UHP deployments across site types, and support installation and commissioning across teams.

You will collaborate with IoT, Technology, and Performance teams, mentoring engineers while applying VRF, ERV/DOAS, and energy-efficiency know-how to deliver high-performance, scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 7+ years of commercial HVAC engineering experience with delivery of full design packages or contractor-ready scopes.
• Hands-on VRF and heat pump design experience including equipment selection and load calculations.
• Ventilation design experience with ERV or DOAS systems and air balance.
• Experience supporting installation and commissioning.
• Proficiency with load calculation and equipment selection software.
• Working knowledge of ASHRAE 62.1 and 90.1, ASHRAE 15, and the International Mechanical Code.
• Solid grounding in commercial HVAC fundamentals including packaged rooftop units.
• Familiarity with energy modeling or efficiency analysis and utility incentive documentation.
• Clear written communication and ability to explain technical concepts across teams.

Responsibilities

• HVAC UHP design, standards and quality development for repeatable sites.
• Design ERV/DOAS ventilation for UHP sites.
• Develop and maintain design standards to enable scaling of UHP across site types.
• Perform QC reviews of designs and coordinate with third-party MEP firms when needed.
• Evaluate VRF payback and applicability beyond standard uses; refine approach as UHP expands.
• Support installation, commissioning and post-install troubleshooting with project teams.

Skills

HVAC design

VRF design

Load calculations

DOAS design

Installation support

Cross-team collaboration

Project coordination

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Load calculation software

HVAC design software

Energy modeling tools

Job description

Budderfly is a fast-growth, private equity-backed energy management outsourcing company that is committed to reducing global carbon emissions for small to medium sized enterprises. We are the premier sustainability partner for businesses with repeatable footprints such as restaurant chains, assisted living facilities, retail franchises, and more. Budderfly installs, monitors, and manages a combination of patented technologies, equipment upgrades, and proprietary energy software to help deliver complete energy saving solutions for our customers.

Celebrating 5 years on Inc. 5000 America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. Recognized in Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2025.

We are an energetic and dedicated team working together to make a positive impact on the environment while providing an excellent customer experience. We are growing quickly and looking to add talented people who are passionate about making the world a better place!

Why this Role is Important:

We are hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Engineering team within Field Operations, reporting to an Engineering Manager as an individual contributor. Your primary focus is scaling our HVAC Ultra-High-Performance UHP program, our high performance HVAC and electrification offering built on VRF, heat pump and dedicated ventilation (ERV and DOAS) systems.

You will develop and quality-check the designs and scopes of work behind UHP installs, set the standards that make them repeatable across site types, and support installation and commissioning. As the program matures, there will be opportunities to support controls, hydronic and other engineering needs across Field Operations.

Depending on the project, your output may be a full design package, an engineering analysis, or a clear scope of work for a contractor to price and build from. You will work closely with teams across the company, including but not limited to IoT, Technology, Performance Analysis, Service, Project Management and Project Engagement.

Responsibilities:

HVAC Ultra-High-Performance UHP design, standards and quality

• Develop designs and scopes of work for HVAC UHP projects, including load calculations, ventilation and air balance, equipment selection and sizing, refrigerant piping and schedules.
• Design ERV and DOAS ventilation systems for UHP sites.
• Develop and maintain design standards for repeatable site types, so UHP can scale.
• Perform technical QC review of UHP designs and scopes of work prepared by the wider team, and coordinate with third-party MEP firms when stamped documents are required.
• Evaluate where VRF fits on payback and incentives, including where it can extend beyond the industry’s typical applications, and help refine our approach as UHP expands.
• Support installation, commissioning and post-install troubleshooting with Project Management, field teams, Service, contractors and manufacturers.

Supporting areas, as workload allows

• Collaborate with IoT and Technology on controls requirements for UHP systems, and review OEM sequences of operation for the equipment we buy and inherit.
• Engineer complex hydronic systems, including cooling towers, when needs arise.
• Support other HVAC projects, such as packaged rooftop unit replacements, when UHP workload allows.

Efficiency and collaboration

• Prepare the engineering basis for energy savings calculations and utility incentive applications.
• Help evolve our toolset toward load calculation and equipment selection software.
• Collaborate regularly with IoT, Technology, Performance Analysis, Service, Project Management, Project Engagement and other teams.
• Support the mentoring and growth of engineers across the team.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of commercial HVAC engineering experience, with a record of delivering engineered solutions ranging from full design packages to clear, contractor-ready scopes of work.
• Hands-on VRF and heat pump design experience, including equipment selection, refrigerant piping and load calculations.
• Ventilation design experience, including ERV or DOAS systems and air balance.
• Experience supporting installation and commissioning.
• Proficiency with load calculation and equipment selection software.
• Working knowledge of ASHRAE 62.1 and 90.1, ASHRAE 15, and the International Mechanical Code.
• Solid grounding in commercial HVAC fundamentals, including packaged rooftop units.
• Familiarity with energy modeling or efficiency analysis, and with utility incentive programs and their documentation.
• Clear written communication, and comfort explaining technical concepts to non-engineers and working across teams, contractors and manufacturers.
• Comfort managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of BACnet and Modbus and building automation systems, and experience designing sequences of operation.
• Experience with complex hydronic systems, including cooling towers.
• PE license.
• Experience with multi-site portfolios such as restaurant, hospitality, fitness, education or retail.
• CEM, LEED AP or similar certifications.

What We Offer:

• A senior technical role with real influence on how our projects get engineered and built.
• Career growth in a fast-growing, mission-driven company focused on sustainability.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance and disability coverage.

Compensation

$110,000—$130,000 USD

Compensation is based on factors including level of experience, skillset, qualifications, and location.

Budderfly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.

We welcome all job seekers, including those with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company's career web page as a result of your disability