Lead Mechanical Engineer - Buildings

WSP • Irvine, CA

1d • $122,700 - $182,200

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer for its Property & Buildings Team in the Irvine, California office. The role leads and supports the design of HVAC and mechanical building systems for complex projects, with an emphasis on healthcare and other technically demanding facilities. Systems may include air distribution, central utility plants, hydronic systems, plumbing, controls, and energy-efficient solutions.

The engineer works with architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and other stakeholders from early design through construction, providing technical oversight, QA/QC, and mentorship to junior staff. The position also supports project managers with mechanical scopes, schedules, budgets, and coordination, and contributes to proposals and business development. WSP describes its workplace model as flexible and agile while meeting client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 7 years of relevant post-education experience in mechanical engineering and building systems design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain California PE registration through reciprocity as appropriate.
• Demonstrated experience designing HVAC and mechanical systems for commercial, institutional, healthcare, laboratory, higher education, or other complex building environments.
• Strong knowledge of air distribution, hydronic systems, central plant systems, plumbing, controls, equipment selection, load calculations, and building energy performance.
• Experience leading mechanical design efforts and coordinating work across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Working knowledge of relevant building, mechanical, and energy codes and industry standards.
• Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD and familiarity with mechanical engineering analysis and load calculation software.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with clients, project teams, and non-engineering stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and provide technical direction, with strong attention to QA/QC.
• Ability to manage priorities and deliver high-quality work across multiple concurrent projects.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Healthcare project experience, particularly acute-care hospitals, medical office buildings, ambulatory care, laboratories, or other technically complex healthcare environments.
• Knowledge of healthcare design requirements and standards, including FGI, ASHRAE, and NFPA.
• Experience with renovation projects in active or occupied healthcare environments.
• Experience managing small to mid-size projects or serving as mechanical discipline lead on larger multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with healthcare clients, architects, and contractors.
• LEED accreditation or other sustainability credentials.
• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead mechanical engineer on complex Property & Buildings projects, particularly healthcare and other technically demanding facilities.
• Lead the design of HVAC systems, including air distribution, hydronic systems, central plants, automated temperature controls, and energy-efficient building systems.
• Develop and review mechanical drawings, specifications, calculations, equipment selections, schedules, and design documentation.
• Integrate mechanical engineering requirements into multidisciplinary facility designs.
• Coordinate mechanical design with architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and other disciplines.
• Provide technical oversight and QA/QC reviews of mechanical designs and deliverables.
• Participate in projects from concept and schematic design through design development, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Survey and evaluate existing building conditions and recommend renovations, upgrades, and new systems.
• Attend client and project meetings and communicate engineering concepts, recommendations, and design decisions.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, contractors, vendors, and manufacturers.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers and designers.
• Support project managers with scopes, schedules, budgets, and coordination of mechanical deliverables.
• Assist with proposals, pursuits, presentations, and other business development activities.
• Stay current with mechanical engineering practices, building codes, sustainability initiatives, and emerging technologies.
• Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation or other personal time
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior