Senior Mechanical Engineer
In‑Person | Charlotte, NC
Design Collaborative is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team. This role is ideal for a mechanical engineer leader with a strong background in commercial building systems who enjoys leading technical efforts, mentoring others, and collaborating within a multidisciplinary design environment to deliver high‑performing, people‑first buildings.
At Design Collaborative, comfort, efficiency, and maintainability aren’t buzzwords—they’re essential to creating environments where people thrive. Our senior engineers are trusted technical leaders who care about long‑term building performance, sustainability, and developing thoughtful solutions alongside architects, interior designers, and fellow engineers.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the design and documentation of HVAC, plumbing, and related building systems for commercial and institutional projects
- Contribute to projects from design through construction administration, ensuring technically sound, well‑coordinated solutions
- Provide technical leadership and oversight for project teams, including review and coordination of work completed by other engineers
- Collaborate closely with architects, interior designers, engineers, and consultants to deliver integrated project outcomes
- Participate in client and project team meetings, offering clear, confident, and practical engineering solutions
- Support Project Managers with defining project scope, budget, and schedule
- Conduct and oversee field surveys of existing systems and support construction administration through site visits and contractor coordination
- Prepare and review engineering calculations, design narratives, and technical documentation
- Apply advanced engineering judgment in system selection, evaluation, and design
- Execute and oversee project quality control reviews at both Design Development and Construction Document phases
- Mentor, coach, and support the professional development of junior and mid‑level engineers
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Architectural Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program
- 10+ years of professional experience in commercial architectural design, focused on HVAC and plumbing systems
- Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required
- Proven experience leading mechanical engineering efforts on commercial or institutional building projects
- Experience overseeing and reviewing the work of other engineers
- Proficiency in Revit and HVAC/plumbing design and analysis tools (e.g., Trane Trace, energy modeling software)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative, team‑oriented leadership style
- Ability to manage priorities, anticipate project needs, and consistently deliver a high‑quality client experience
- Experience with healthcare, higher education, or large‑scale commercial projects is beneficial, but not required
Why Design Collaborative?
Design Collaborative is a people‑first firm guided by five core values: people first, don’t be a passenger, love what you do, give back, and have fun. We foster a collaborative, supportive environment where senior engineers are empowered to lead, mentor, and make a meaningful impact.
Founded in 1992, Design Collaborative is a multidisciplinary firm of architects, engineers, interior designers, environmental graphic designers, and project managers. Our integrated studio model encourages collaboration across disciplines, resulting in engaged teams and thoughtful, high‑quality designs that truly improve people’s worlds.
Ready to lead the design of high‑performing building systems with a collaborative, people‑first team? We’d love to meet you.
