Lead Mechanical Engineer HVAC (Chicago)
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Salary: $110,000 - $170,000 per year A bit about us: ***This role is in the Twin Cities - we will entertain relocation candidates but no fully remote talent please*** We are a growing, design-build mechanical contractor with a strong reputation across the Upper Midwest, delivering HVAC, plumbing, and process piping solutions across healthcare, higher education, industrial, commercial, multifamily, and hospitality environments. Over the past decade, the business has scaled significantly in both revenue and headcount, evolving into a $100M+ platform that is actively expanding into more complex and technical work. While historically strong in multifamily, the company has intentionally diversified into commercial and industrial sectors and continues to push into new markets. What sets this team apart is their in-house engineering capability and close integration with field operations. Engineers work directly alongside project managers, VDC, and skilled trades, creating a feedback loop that allows designs to be built efficiently and correctly the first time. Leadership is accessible, hands-on, and focused on developing people into long-term leaders. Why join us?
- Your designs actually get built — and you’ll see it happen in real time
- Direct access to leadership; decisions get made quickly without layers
- Clear path into management as the engineering team grows
- Opportunity to step into a true technical leadership role without heavy admin burden
- Exposure to diverse, complex projects across multiple industries
- A company actively investing in growth, technology, and new markets
- Ability to influence how the engineering team evolves and operates
- Stable, established business with strong backlog and long-term trajectory
________________________________________ Key Responsibilities Engineering & Technical Leadership
- Lead HVAC and mechanical system design from concept through construction
- Perform system selection, equipment sizing, load calculations, and layout development
- Ensure designs are practical, coordinated, and aligned with real-world installation
- Own engineering deliverables across the full project lifecycle
- Participate in project meetings and represent the engineering function
- Support preconstruction with scope development, system recommendations, and pricing input
- Review submittals, respond to RFIs, and support field teams during construction
- Maintain design intent and help solve real-time issues in the field
- Conduct site visits for coordination, troubleshooting, and design validation
- Mentor and guide junior engineers and designers
- Provide technical oversight and review work for quality and consistency
- Help elevate the overall capability and confidence of the engineering team
- Partner closely with project managers, estimators, VDC, and field teams
- Act as a key liaison with owners, architects, and trade partners
What You’ll Work On
You’ll have exposure to a wide variety of projects, including:
- Multifamily developments (mid-rise to high-rise)
- Healthcare and clinical environments
- Higher education and laboratory spaces
- Industrial and process piping work
- Hospitality, restaurant, and commercial projects
What We’re Looking For
- 5–10+ years of HVAC/mechanical systems design experience
- Experience leading projects and/or mentoring junior staff
- Strong working knowledge of commercial HVAC systems
- Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, and load calculation tools
- Comfortable in fast-paced, design-build environments
- Ability to take ownership and operate with confidence
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical teams
Nice to Have
- EIT or PE (not required)
- Experience across multiple sectors (healthcare, industrial, multifamily, etc.)
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