Mechanical Designer - Recent Graduate

Summer Consultants • McLean, VA

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

Summer Consultants is seeking a recent graduate or early-career Mechanical Designer with up to three years of experience to join their McLean, VA team. This role is ideal for someone curious about building systems, seeking hands-on project and field experience, and eager to learn the MEP/FP consulting industry. The company specializes in designing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for buildings, with a focus on renovating and modernizing existing federal, institutional, higher education, and historic facilities. This involves technical, hands-on work that requires engineers to conduct field surveys, document existing conditions, understand constraints, and develop practical design solutions for complex renovation projects. The role emphasizes developing the ability to survey buildings, understand mechanical and plumbing systems, recognize constraints, document findings, and translate these into design decisions. The position offers opportunities to learn and grow within a collaborative, technically engaged environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering (HVAC focus), Mechanical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
• Genuine interest in HVAC, plumbing, building systems, existing-building renovation, and learning how systems work in the field.
• Curiosity about how buildings are constructed, operated, maintained, and modified over time.
• Willingness to spend meaningful time in the field surveying existing conditions.
• Ability to learn from experienced engineers, ask questions, seek and apply feedback, and take increasing ownership as experience grows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Ability to support day-long field surveys outdoors and indoors, including conditioned and unconditioned spaces, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Field work may include walking 10,000 to 20,000 steps in a day, climbing up and down a 6-foot ladder, kneeling, squatting, and bending.
• Ability to obtain site access at client locations, including federal facilities, as required by project assignments.
• Ability to travel up to 10 nights per year, in addition to day-long field surveys.

Nice To Haves

• Up to three years of experience.
• AutoCAD and Revit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support mechanical and plumbing design for renovation and existing-building projects.
• Participate in field surveys to observe, investigate, document, and understand existing building conditions and systems.
• Assist with HVAC and plumbing calculations, equipment selection, ductwork and piping layouts, and system design.
• Help turn survey findings, calculations, client requirements, and existing constraints into practical design solutions.
• Support the development of drawings, calculations, reports, specifications, and other project documentation.
• Coordinate with engineers and designers from other disciplines as part of integrated project teams.
• Think about how designs will actually be constructed and operated, not simply how they appear on drawings.
• Help solve client problems with curiosity, precision, quality, and follow-through.
• Pursue EIT certification, if not already completed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance: Options where Summer pays 100% of the employee-only premium.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k): 3% automatic Company contribution, plus up to a 2% additional match, with additional profit-sharing contributions historically made based on Company performance.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays and seventeen (17) to twenty-two (22) days of PTO per year, based on professional experience.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees.
• Professional licensure support: FE and PE exam and registration reimbursement, preparation support, test-day leave, and recognition payments.
• Education Assistance up to $5,000 annually for qualifying job-related coursework.
• Flexible scheduling, including a 4.5-day compressed workweek option for eligible employees.
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work options after six months with the company, based on role, project, and client needs.
• Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.

What This Job Offers

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