Lead Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer

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Lead Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer

Company Name: MG Engineering D.P.C.
Location: New York City, NY
Project Focus: Mechanical Engineering, HVAC and Building Systems, Central Plants, Building Electrification, High-Rise, Healthcare, Life Science, Commercial, Institutional, Hospitality, Residential, and Mission-Critical Projects
Work Setting: Full-Time | New York City Office | Integrated MEP Engineering Environment
Base Salary: $120,000-$220,000+ annually (DOE)
Total Compensation Package: Potential total compensation of $140,000-$260,000+, medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid leave, professional development, licensure support, and leadership advancement opportunities
Recruited Exclusively By: Luxus Group

Position Overview

MG Engineering D.P.C. is seeking an accomplished Lead Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer to provide technical leadership and design oversight for complex building projects from its New York City headquarters. This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced mechanical engineer who can lead sophisticated HVAC designs, guide multidisciplinary project teams, mentor developing engineers, and collaborate directly with architects, owners, contractors, utilities, commissioning professionals, and public agencies.

The Lead Mechanical HVAC Design Engineer will oversee projects from feasibility, due diligence, and conceptual planning through design development, construction documents, agency approvals, bidding, construction administration, commissioning, and closeout.

The position requires advanced knowledge of airside and waterside HVAC systems, central heating and cooling plants, building automation, energy modeling, heat-load calculations, ventilation, smoke control, building electrification, energy-code compliance, and New York City regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with project leadership, quality control, client communication, interdisciplinary coordination, and team development.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, analysis, design, and documentation of HVAC systems for new construction, renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and building-repositioning projects
• Establish project design criteria, system concepts, performance requirements, and engineering standards
• Direct the preparation of mechanical drawings, specifications, calculations, equipment schedules, control sequences, and technical reports
• Lead the design and evaluation of variable air volume, constant-volume air-handling, dedicated outdoor air, variable refrigerant flow and variable refrigerant volume, chilled-water, heating hot-water, steam and condensate, condenser-water, heat pump and heat-recovery, packaged rooftop and split, fan coil, and water-source heat pump systems
• Lead the design of central utility plants, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, energy-recovery ventilation, laboratory ventilation and exhaust, healthcare HVAC, commercial kitchen ventilation, smoke-control and stair-pressurization, data room and mission-critical cooling, building automation and direct digital controls, and mechanical equipment for high-rise buildings
• Evaluate HVAC alternatives based on first cost, lifecycle cost, energy performance, carbon emissions, resiliency, redundancy, maintainability, acoustics, indoor environmental quality, and available space
• Perform or oversee heating- and cooling-load calculations, ventilation calculations, and outdoor-air requirements
• Size and select air-handling units, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, terminal units, fans, heat pumps, and specialty equipment
• Prepare or review airflow and ventilation calculations, hydronic pipe sizing, duct sizing and pressure loss, pump head calculations, equipment schedules and selections, psychrometric analyses, energy-code calculations, equipment lifecycle and efficiency evaluations, pressurization and air-balance strategies, fuel-use and building-load analyses, and central plant capacity studies
• Lead the evaluation and design of central heating and cooling infrastructure, including concepts involving chillers, boilers, heat pumps, cooling towers, heat exchangers, thermal storage, and pumping systems
• Assess central plant performance, capacity, condition, and remaining useful life, and develop recommendations that balance capital investment, efficiency, resilience, maintenance, and long-term operating costs
• Lead or support the conversion of fossil-fuel-based heating systems to electric or hybrid alternatives, and evaluate air-source, water-source, ground-source, and heat-recovery heat pump applications
• Develop practical electrification strategies for new and existing buildings and analyze electrical-service implications in collaboration with the electrical engineering team
• Support compliance strategies associated with New York City building-emissions requirements
• Develop phased decarbonization plans that account for budgets, equipment life, occupancy, and building operations, and integrate heat recovery, energy recovery, thermal storage, and high-efficiency system concepts
• Serve as the senior mechanical technical authority for assigned projects
• Work closely with Project Managers to establish scope, schedule, budget, staffing, technical milestones, and deliverables
• Direct the work of engineers, designers, energy professionals, and BIM/Revit staff, and delegate assignments based on project requirements, team capabilities, and development goals
• Identify design, coordination, permitting, energy, and construction risks early and develop mitigation strategies that protect project quality, schedule, and financial performance
• Ensure mechanical designs comply with the New York City Mechanical Code, Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Fuel Gas Code, and Fire Code, the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code, ASHRAE standards and guidelines, NFPA requirements, the International Mechanical Code when applicable, Local Laws and agency requirements, and owner-specific design standards
• Support New York City Department of Buildings filings, submissions, objections, and approvals, and coordinate with FDNY, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, utilities, and other authorities having jurisdiction
• Maintain working knowledge of requirements associated with Local Law 97, building emissions and benchmarking, energy-code compliance, building electrification, refrigerants, indoor air quality, smoke control, and special inspection and commissioning
• Provide technical leadership for specialized HVAC environments including hospitals and outpatient facilities, laboratories and life-science facilities, cleanrooms and controlled environments, higher-education and research buildings, commercial high-rises, residential towers, hotels and entertainment venues, data rooms and critical facilities, museums and cultural institutions, kitchens and food-service facilities, and historic and landmark buildings
• Design systems that address critical pressure relationships, filtration, humidity, temperature, ventilation, and redundancy requirements, applying relevant ASHRAE, FGI, CDC, USP, and owner-specific standards when required
• Lead surveys and assessments of existing mechanical systems, including HVAC equipment, distribution systems, controls, ventilation, central plants, and utility infrastructure
• Coordinate mechanical systems with electrical, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, architectural, structural, civil, lighting, technology, security, and specialty-consultant teams
• Participate in BIM coordination and clash-detection reviews, and confirm that mechanical rooms, shafts, louvers, equipment clearances, access paths, and service spaces are properly incorporated
• Coordinate electrical characteristics and emergency-power requirements for mechanical equipment, and coordinate drains, makeup water, gas, fuel oil, and condensate requirements with plumbing engineers
• Coordinate fire and smoke dampers, smoke-control systems, and fire alarm interfaces
• Develop HVAC control sequences and building automation system requirements, and coordinate control points, sensors, safeties, alarms, trending, scheduling, and system interfaces
• Lead discipline-specific QA/QC reviews at major project milestones, reviewing drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, equipment selections, and agency submissions
• Develop and maintain standardized details, calculation templates, specifications, design procedures, and quality-control checklists, and promote consistent engineering practices across project teams and offices
• Integrate energy efficiency and sustainability goals into mechanical-system designs and support LEED, WELL, ENERGY STAR, Passive House, and other building-performance initiatives when applicable
• Serve as a senior mechanical engineering contact for clients, architects, developers, owners, contractors, and consultants, and lead technical discussions during client meetings, presentations, and design workshops
• Provide senior engineering leadership during bidding, construction, testing, commissioning, and closeout
• Review equipment submittals, shop drawings, controls submittals, testing procedures, substitutions, and contractor proposals, and respond to requests for information and resolve unforeseen field conditions
• Conduct site visits and field observations to evaluate construction progress and compliance, and participate in preconstruction meetings, coordination meetings, equipment startups, punch-list inspections, and commissioning activities
• Coordinate with contractors, inspectors, commissioning providers, and authorities having jurisdiction, and review record drawings, operating manuals, training documentation, and closeout materials
• Lead, mentor, and develop mechanical engineers, designers, and BIM/Revit staff, providing technical guidance on HVAC systems, codes, calculations, equipment selection, controls, specifications, and construction practices

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Experience: Eight or more years of progressively responsible mechanical and HVAC design experience
• Consulting Background: Significant experience working within an MEP consulting engineering environment
• Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design assignments and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• System Expertise: Strong technical knowledge of airside and waterside HVAC systems
• Documentation: Experience preparing mechanical drawings, specifications, calculations, schedules, reports, and agency submissions
• Codes & Standards: Working knowledge of applicable mechanical, energy, building, fuel gas, fire, and ASHRAE requirements
• Software: Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD
• Load Calculation Software: Experience with HVAC load-calculation software such as Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, IESVE, or similar applications
• Construction Administration: Experience reviewing equipment submittals, controls packages, and construction RFIs
• Project Delivery: Ability to lead multiple projects and prioritize competing deadlines
• Communication: Excellent technical writing, communication, organization, and leadership skills
• Field Work: Ability to conduct field surveys and participate in construction-phase site activities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Twelve or more years of mechanical HVAC design experience
• Licensure: Professional Engineer license in New York
• Licensure Path: EIT certification with active progress toward PE licensure may be considered for a candidate with strong leadership experience
• Engineer of Record: Experience serving as Engineer of Record or senior mechanical technical reviewer
• NYC Expertise: Advanced knowledge of New York City codes, agency filings, energy requirements, and construction practices
• Central Plants: Experience designing central utility plants and complex heating and cooling infrastructure
• Project Experience: Experience with healthcare, life sciences, laboratories, higher education, commercial high-rise, residential high-rise, hospitality, or mission-critical projects
• Electrification: Experience with building electrification, decarbonization, and Local Law 97 compliance strategies
• Smoke Control: Experience designing smoke-control and stair-pressurization systems
• Quality Leadership: Experience leading formal QA/QC or peer reviews
• Analysis Tools: Proficiency with energy modeling, computational fluid dynamics, or central plant optimization tools
• Market Relationships: Established relationships within the New York architecture, engineering, construction, institutional, or real estate market
• Team Leadership: Experience supervising engineers and developing future technical leaders
• Credentials: LEED AP, WELL AP, CEM, CPD, HBDP, BEMP, BCxP, or other relevant credentials

What Success Looks Like

• Deliver technically accurate, coordinated, energy-efficient, and constructible HVAC designs
• Establish clear technical direction at the beginning of each project
• Anticipate and resolve design, code, energy, agency, and construction challenges
• Reduce redesign through thorough calculations and interdisciplinary coordination
• Consistently meet project schedules and quality expectations
• Build confidence with clients, architects, agencies, contractors, and commissioning teams
• Strengthen the technical capabilities of developing engineers and designers
• Improve design standards, QA/QC practices, and project-delivery efficiency
• Help MGE secure repeat assignments and expand strategic client relationships
• Become a trusted technical leader within MGE's New York mechanical practice

Compensation & Benefits

• The anticipated base salary range for this position is $120,000-$220,000+ annually
• Potential total compensation may range from approximately $140,000-$260,000+, depending on experience, professional licensure, technical expertise, project leadership, client relationships, and broader value to the firm
• The compensation range is intentionally broad to accommodate candidates ranging from experienced HVAC design leaders through senior professionals capable of assuming expanded technical, project, client, or practice leadership
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid vacation, sick time, personal time, and holidays
• Flexible spending account
• Supplemental insurance options
• Professional development and continuing education
• PE licensure and professional-association support
• Leadership and career-advancement opportunities
• Final compensation and benefits will be determined based on qualifications and confirmed during the interview process

About MG Engineering D.P.C.

MG Engineering D.P.C. is a full-service engineering firm specializing in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, lighting, commissioning, sustainability, central energy, enhanced construction administration, and technology services. For more than 30 years, MGE has been headquartered in New York City. The company has grown to more than 150 professionals across multiple offices while maintaining deep relationships throughout the New York architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, healthcare, education, and institutional markets.

MGE supports public- and private-sector clients across commercial office buildings, corporate interiors, residential and mixed-use developments, healthcare and life-science facilities, higher education and K-12 schools, hospitality and entertainment, retail and restaurants, government and civic buildings, cultural and institutional facilities, senior living and residential care, central utility and energy infrastructure, building repositioning and major renovations, and mission-critical and high-reliability facilities.

MGE has been recognized by Crain's New York Business as one of the Best Places to Work in New York City for two consecutive years.

About Luxus Group

Luxus Group is a specialized recruiting and talent advisory firm serving the architecture, engineering, construction, and related professional-services industries. As an AEC-focused recruiting partner, Luxus Group helps engineering and design firms identify, engage, evaluate, and hire difficult-to-find professionals. The firm understands the technical and leadership differences between HVAC designers, mechanical engineers, Project Managers, Technical Leads, Discipline Leaders, and principal-level professionals. Luxus Group is representing MG Engineering in the identification and recruitment of qualified candidates for this opportunity. Interested professionals may contact Luxus Group for a confidential discussion regarding the position, compensation, project portfolio, team structure, and long-term advancement potential.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MG Engineering is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Keywords

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