Mechanical Department Manager (Northwest & Southwest)

Michael Baker International•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•$124,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a dynamic Department Manager to lead our thriving Mechanical Engineering team in Salt Lake City, UT or Denver, CO. This is a true Seller/Doer role where leadership, innovation, and client impact converge. The candidate must be a seasoned Mechanical Engineer (PE) who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about mentoring talent, driving technical excellence, and building strong client relationships. As Department Manager, you’ll oversee a talented group of engineers, designers, and technical managers, guiding them through complex building mechanical and plumbing projects across diverse markets—including federal, aviation, transportation, industrial manufacturing, and mission critical sectors. You’ll serve as a technical expert, project leader, and Engineer of Record, while also shaping the strategic direction of the department through workload management, quality assurance, and business development. This is more than a management role—it’s an opportunity to grow a team, expand service offerings, and make a lasting impact through innovative engineering solutions and trusted client partnerships.

Requirements

15+ years of experience
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering
Business development and sales experience in the MEP industry
Strong leadership skills and management experience, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, customers, and partners.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong track record of client satisfaction and stellar quality assurance.
Proficiency with Revit, Trane Trace 700 or IES VE, and MS Office Suite.
Available for periodic travel.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) applicable to mechanical and plumbing engineering
Department of Defense (DoD) project experience
Project execution in aviation, transportation, mission critical, and/or industrial manufacturing market sectors
Design-Build experience
Plumbing design experience
Knowledge of sustainable design practices and green building certifications
Familiarity with acoustics, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality considerations in mechanical design
LEED Certification (LEED GA, LEED AP, etc.)

Responsibilities

Oversee the daily operations of a high-performing mechanical engineering team, consisting of technical managers, plumbing and mechanical designers and engineers, junior EITs, and drafters, promoting collaboration and technical excellence.
Play a client-facing role in securing new work and expanding existing contracts through strategic relationship-building and proposal development.
Provide expert engineering guidance to support the Designer of Record (DOR) and ensure project success.
Conduct thorough design reviews and quality control checks to ensure accuracy, compliance, and innovation.
Uphold Michael Baker International’s project protocols and standards, fostering a culture of consistency and accountability.
Review construction submittals, respond to RFIs, and evaluate corrective actions for field-related issues.
Utilize tools like Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat PDF, and MS Teams to streamline communication and documentation.
Coordinate with Senior Engineers, Project Managers, and other disciplines to align schedules and drive project momentum.
Develop scopes of work and accurate man-hour estimates to support efficient project planning and execution.
Exercise practical budgetary oversight, contributing to project profitability and resource optimization.
Contribute to marketing efforts and proposal development to position the team for continued success.
Stay current with industry trends and best practices through ongoing training, seminars, and professional development.
Maintain professional credentials, including an active NCEES record, and additional licensure as needed.
Conduct occasional site visits to assess progress, troubleshoot issues, and strengthen client relationships.
Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and organizational goals.
Lead and mentor a team of over 15 mechanical engineers across multiple offices, including remote team members.
Foster a highly collaborative and innovative work environment.
Facilitate the resource management of the team through workload planning and assignments.
Monitor financial performance of the team to adhere to the established annual budget.
Execute personnel management duties which include hiring, training, timekeeping and expense approval, talent management, performance management, promotion/career progression recommendations, and retention.
Demonstrate strong critical thinking and sound judgment in complex engineering and business scenarios.
Apply deep technical expertise to guide engineering decisions and mentor staff across all levels.
Manage time effectively, balancing competing priorities and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work.
Thrives in high-pressure environments, skillfully managing multiple tasks and deadlines with composure.
Build and lead collaborative, high-performing teams through trust, transparency, and shared success.