Senior Mechanical Engineer / Engineering Team Lead

Ecotope; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing bonuses

160 hours of annual vacation

Paid winter break closure

100% paid medical benefits

Four-week paid sabbatical every six years

Up to $2,000 annual training funds

Job summary

A climate-focused engineering firm in Seattle seeks a Mechanical Engineer IV/Engineering Team Lead to manage HVAC projects and lead the Engineering team. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of design experience and strong project management skills. Responsibilities include overseeing project delivery, integrating innovative technologies, and collaborating on building efficiency solutions. This hybrid role requires a commitment to progressive building practices and offers an excellent work-life balance with generous benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of HVAC system design experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD 2D, Revit, and energy modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of assigned engineering projects.
• Integrate cutting-edge technologies in designs.
• Provide quality assurance for the team’s work products.
• Supervise direct reports and ensure team functions smoothly.
• Stay current on applicable building codes.

Skills

HVAC system design

Project management

Effective communication

Problem-solving

AutoCAD

Revit

Energy modeling software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineering (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD 2D

Revit

Trane/Trace

Microsoft 365

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

Do you want to combat the climate crisis through transformative building solutions? We have an exciting opportunity where you can see your innovative ideas come to life!

Ecotope is looking for a creative, self-motivated, and organized Mechanical Engineer IV (HVAC) / Engineering Team Leadto manage assigned engineering projects while also overseeing day-to-day operations of the Engineering team. Expectation is approximately 15% of this role is spent executing managerial functions with the balance dedicated to project production. We offer Mechanical and Plumbing engineering services in-house and Electrical engineering services via sub-consultants. This position is accountable for the successful delivery of all projects within the Engineering team.

About Ecotope:

We are a mission-driven company dedicated to transforming the building industry away from the use of fossil fuels to highly efficient all-electric systems. Our work at Ecotope focuses on three responses that the building industry needs to make to the climate crisis:

• Electrify Buildings: Stop burning fossil fuels in our buildings and transition to highly efficient heat pump systems and other electric technologies.
• Efficiency is Energy: Work towards driving down the energy use in buildings to free up grid capacity for electric vehicles and future development.
• When Matters: As our grid transitions to reliance on solar and wind generation, we strive to develop the technology to shift our energy use away from peak demand periods and into times of the day with plentiful solar energy.

At Ecotope, we value creative, focused, highly communicative, and thoughtful individuals who bring a “can do” attitude. We seek out individuals who are aligned with our mission and are not afraid to challenge the status quo with leading edge scientific advancements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of assigned engineering projects from initiation to completion; projects can include both new construction and building retrofits. Work collaboratively and efficiently to deliver high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective engineering solutions, while meeting client expectations, project budgets, and project timelines.
• Coordinate efforts with our Research Department to integrate cutting‑edge technologies in designs. Some technology applications may be first‑of‑a‑kind. Apply standardized measurement and verification (M&V) protocols to validate and optimize system and equipment performance.
• Provide quality assurance / quality control for the team’s work products. Review, stamp, and sign design documents.
• Supervise direct reports. Provide support, coaching, and mentorship to assigned staff. Ensure the team functions smoothly.
• Forecast workload and revenue for team. Manage successful resourcing on projects within the team.
• Stay current on applicable building codes and standards. Maintain best practice standards and implement standards across the team.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develop relationships with current and prospective sub‑consultants. Manage sub‑consultants on assigned projects.
• Support Principals with technical scoping and proposal development.
• Foster client relationships. Serve as the face of the company for assigned clients. Create raving fans.
• Participate in business development efforts including attending marketing and industry events.

The biggest challenges that you will face:

• Develop simple and creative solutions to complex challenges that multiple parties with different requirements can all agree upon.
• Manage a wide variety of different types of projects that include MEP design work, existing building audits, market transformation by demonstrating emerging technologies and design strategies, and supporting performance measurement and verification (M&V) of systems.
• Provide project deliverables on‑time and within budget while fostering strong client relationships.
• Manage workload despite shifting schedules and project timelines.

Valuable abilities/attributes to excel in this position:

• Practical HVAC engineering design sense needed to integrate new technologies into real world building applications in new and existing buildings.
• Focus on finding the simplest, most accessible solutions.
• Change‑oriented and able to approach new problems with little ego and a child’s mind; always seeking a better and simpler way of doing things.
• Ability to communicate within team and across departments.
• Effective communication across disciplines – engineers, developers, owners, architects, analysts, policy experts, etc.
• Ability to take a first‑principles physics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics approach to understanding energy use in buildings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• 8+ years of HVAC system design experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD 2D, Revit, Trane/Trace, Microsoft 365, Bluebeam Revu.

Desired Qualifications:

• Well versed in building codes and green building rating systems (LEED, LBC, etc.).
• Experience with plumbing system design is a plus.
• Previous personnel management experience is a plus.
• Experience using energy modeling software (EnergyPlus, eQuest, or IES) preferred.

Work Arrangement:

• This position is hybrid. There is an expectation of 3 days a week minimum in downtown Seattle office.

Compensation:

• Eligible for profit‑sharing bonuses
• We are committed to building a high‑trust, low‑stress workplace with excellent work‑life balance
• 160 hours of annual vacation PLUS a paid winter break closure for the last week of the year
• Paid safe and sick leave
• 8 additional company holidays
• Four‑week paid sabbatical once every six years (after employee’s 10‑year anniversary)
• 100% paid medical benefits for employee
• 3% safe harbor to 401k regardless of whether the employee chooses to contribute
• Complimentary unlimited ORCA card
• Up to $2,000 annual training/development funds

How to apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to [e-mail], with subject line: “Senior Mechanical Engineer / Engineering Team Lead Applicant – Ecotope”

Submit one (1) PDF file containing:

• Cover letter (submissions without a cover letter will not be considered)