Senior Mechanical Engineer / HPM

Opitz Bürotechnik; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HPM is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to act as a technical advocate for municipal, commercial, industrial, and institutional clients throughout design, review, and commissioning phases.

The role includes design strategy, preliminary design, EOR peer reviews, risk mitigation, and technical advocacy from project inception through commissioning, with emphasis on coordinating with Owners, Architects, and GC teams. Travel to sites will be required.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of total mechanical engineering experience with design delivery.
• Experience in consulting/EPC with owner representation or facility operations.
• Strong technical writing and executive presentation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design and perform EOR peer reviews for HVAC, piping, equipment specs, and fire protection.
• Lead value engineering to optimize CAPEX while preserving performance.
• Develop front-end scope and RFPs for EORs and commissioning agents.
• Conduct site audits and oversee commissioning to meet owner criteria.
• Resolve design disputes as the neutral technical expert.

Skills

Technical writing

Executive presentation

Communication

Valid Driver's License

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

The Senior Mechanical Engineer serves as a key technical advocate for HPM’s municipal, commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. Demonstrated experience in design delivery will be leveraged within the owner’s advisory role. This role provides design strategy, preliminary design, peer review of EOR design packages, program-level risk mitigation, and technical advocacy from project inception through commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Oversight & EOR Peer Review:
  • Peer-review 30/60/90% mechanical engineering deliverables (HVAC specification and design, process piping design, equipment specification and selection, and fire protection system) from third-party Engineers of Record (EOR).
  • Identify scope gaps, over-design, constructability issues, and code compliance risks before packages are issued for bid.
• Value Engineering (VE) & Life-Cycle Analysis:
  • Evaluate proposed mechanical systems for total cost of ownership, energy efficiency, operational simplicity, and long-term maintenance impact.
  • Lead VE workshops with Owners, Architects, and GC teams to optimize CAPEX without compromising system performance.
• Front-End Scope & RFP Development:
  • Help Owners define mechanical project criteria prior to hiring design consultants.
  • Draft and evaluate RFPs for EORs, specialty engineering consultants, and commissioning agents.
• Construction Oversight & Commissioning Support:
  • Perform periodic site audits during installation to verify compliance with Owner standards and EOR intent.
  • Oversee the Commissioning process, ensuring sequence of operations, controls integration, and performance testing meet operational criteria.
• Technical Escalation & Conflict Resolution:
  • Serve as the neutral technical expert in resolving design disputes between the Owner, General Contractor, and Engineer of Record.

Qualifications & Credentials

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Licensure: Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience: 10–15+ years of total experience with a background combining detailed design (consulting/EPC) with owner representation, project management, or facility operations.
• Technical Breadth: Strong background in industrial plant utilities, process piping, heavy HVAC/chilled water, boilers, and building controls (BAS/BMS).
• Skills: Expert knowledge of codes (ASHRAE, IBC, NFPA, ASME), strong technical writing, and executive presentation capabilities.
• Communication: Exceptional technical writing and client presentation capabilities, with the ability to summarize site risk data into actionable recommendations for executive leadership. Preferable experience with industry boards, affiliates, etc.
• Valid Drivers License Required

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed mainly in an indoor and outdoor setting with exposure to all types of weather and temperature conditions, and travel from site to site.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

EOE - Vets/Disabilities

HPM does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of HPM without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of HPM.