Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager (Multi-Market Building Design)

Michael Baker International•San Diego, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join Michael Baker International's Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA) Mechanical team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer supporting our growing Advanced Manufacturing and Mission Critical/Data Center markets. This is a Seller/Doer technical leadership role focused on project delivery, client engagement, and business growth—without formal people management responsibilities. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will serve as a Designer of Record (DOR) on select projects while managing scopes, schedules, budgets, and client relationships in alignment with Michael Baker Way project delivery processes. The ideal candidate will lead designs for complex facilities, contributing deep expertise in HVAC, process cooling, and mechanical infrastructure for high-reliability environments. You will work closely with clients, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver technically sound, efficient, and constructible solutions while actively participating in proposal efforts and long-term client relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
10+ years of professional experience in mechanical building systems design.
Demonstrated experience serving as Designer of Record for complex mechanical systems.
Strong knowledge of ASHRAE, applicable building codes, and mission-critical design standards.
Proficiency with Revit and Trane TRACE (or similar).
Experience supporting business development and client-facing pursuits.
Strong technical writing skills, including specifications and design narratives.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and PDF markup software (Bluebeam or similar).
U.S. Citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Defense Contracting, Industrial Manufacturing, Data Centers/Mission Critical, Aerospace, and/or Healthcare facilities.
Familiarity with ICD‑705, Intelligence Community Facility requirements, and the design considerations associated with SCIFs and other secure facilities.
Experience supporting secure, mission‑critical, or defense‑related facilities where heightened reliability, documentation, and operational continuity are required.
Design-Build project delivery experience.
Client-facing project management and Seller/Doer experience.
Knowledge of fast-track, regulated, or high-reliability environments.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Serve as Designer of Record (DOR) and provide senior mechanical engineering support for complex HVAC, process cooling, hydronic, and piping systems.
Lead and contribute to mechanical design from concept through construction, maintaining hands-on technical involvement while balancing PM responsibilities.
Design and coordinate mechanical systems for secure and controlled facilities, including environments subject to ICD‑705 requirements and Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), with attention to reliability, access control interfaces, and operational constraints.
Prepare and review engineering calculations, system sizing, specifications, narratives, and technical documentation.
Ensure designs meet applicable codes, standards, client requirements, and quality expectations.
Adhere to project budgets, schedules, and quality expectations, identifying risks and mitigating issues proactively.
Collaborate with design-build and construction partners to evaluate constructability, substitutions, and value-based design solutions.
Support construction administration through field observations, submittal reviews, and RFI responses.
Serve as Project Manager and/or Mechanical DOR for assigned projects.
Manage projects with heightened requirements for documentation, coordination, schedule control, and risk management.
Maintain project financial performance through budgeting, forecasting, variance tracking, and coordination with project controls and accounting.
Identify and manage project risks; develop and implement mitigation strategies.
Prepare and manage change orders, amendments, and contract modifications.
Maintain accountability for overall project performance, quality, and client satisfaction.
Serve as a forward-facing client leader, building relationships with new clients and acting as Client Account Manager for several key existing client relationships.
Participate in client meetings, interviews, and presentations in support of pursuit and delivery activities.
Support and lead proposal development, including technical approaches, scopes, schedules, fees, and risk assessments.
Identify opportunities for repeat work and expanded services through strong execution and relationship building.
Serve as a trusted technical and strategic advisor to clients throughout the project lifecycle.
Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, internal teams, contractors, and vendors.
Collaborate across disciplines to support integrated project delivery.
Contribute to continuous improvement, standardization, and quality initiatives.
Occasional travel may be required to support projects and client engagements.