Mechanical Design Engineer

Lead the design of complex healthcare and critical facility projects while mentoring engineering teams and shaping innovative, high performance building systems in a flexible remote environment.

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Remote (Northern California preferred)

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to provide technical leadership for complex healthcare, science and technology, infrastructure, and commercial projects. In this role, you will lead the design, analysis, and documentation of HVAC and mechanical building systems while ensuring technical excellence, code compliance, and successful project delivery.

This position is ideal for an experienced mechanical engineering professional who thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys mentoring junior engineers, and wants to contribute to technically challenging projects that have a meaningful impact on the built environment.

Why Join Us

• Work on complex healthcare and critical facility projects with high technical standards
• Join an employee-owned organization that shares in the success of the business
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams across multiple locations
• Enjoy remote and hybrid work flexibility
• Help drive technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement across the mechanical discipline
• Gain exposure to sustainable, resilient, and high-performance building design initiatives

Career Growth

This opportunity offers the ability to expand your technical leadership responsibilities while influencing project quality, mentoring engineers, and contributing to best practices across the organization. You"ll work alongside industry experts on some of the industry"s most complex and regulated project types.

Compensation

Hourly Pay Range: $48.00 - $96.00 per hour

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and technical expertise.

Benefits

• Remote and hybrid work flexibility
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Collaborative, employee-focused culture
• Exposure to technically challenging projects and industry-leading expertise

What You"ll Accomplish

• Lead the design and development of HVAC and mechanical building systems for healthcare, science and technology, infrastructure, and commercial projects
• Perform engineering analyses and calculations to support system performance, sizing, and code compliance
• Prepare mechanical system layouts, designs, and construction documentation using Revit and AutoCAD
• Select HVAC and mechanical equipment and develop technical specifications
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, industry standards, quality requirements, and HCAI regulations where applicable
• Review engineering drawings, calculations, and specifications for accuracy and completeness
• Oversee design quality, project coordination, and technical deliverables
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver integrated building solutions
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior designers and engineers
• Support knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and technical development initiatives
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and project teams throughout the design process

What We"re Looking For

We"re looking for a technically strong mechanical engineering professional with advanced HVAC design expertise, experience leading project deliverables, and a passion for mentoring team members while maintaining high standards of quality and performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience
• Advanced knowledge of HVAC and mechanical building systems design
• Strong understanding of building codes, industry standards, and integrated building design principles
• Advanced proficiency with Revit
• Proficiency with AutoCAD
• Proficiency with Bluebeam
• Experience overseeing design quality, coordination, and technical deliverables
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated experience performing engineering analysis and design of building systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with healthcare facilities, hospitals, medical centers, or other regulated healthcare projects
• Working knowledge of HCAI (formerly OSHPD) requirements, review processes, and construction administration
• Familiarity with sustainable, resilient, and high-performance building design
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and designers
• Interest in developing best practices and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 10-15% travel, primarily within Northern California based on project assignments

Work Environment

• 100% remote work environment with flexibility for hybrid collaboration when needed
• Collaborative, project-driven engineering culture
• Frequent interaction with multidisciplinary teams using tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam
• Opportunity to support complex healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial projects
• Employee-owned organization focused on long-term engagement, collaboration, and technical excellence

If you"re an experienced mechanical engineering professional seeking an opportunity to lead impactful projects, mentor talented teams, and contribute to innovative building system solutions, we"d love to connect with you.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $96.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.