Senior HVAC Design Engineer

The Senior Mechanical Engineer is one of our Engineering Department’s hands-on technical lead designers. This role is accountable for code-compliant, buildable, well-coordinated permit and construction documents. At UMI, our designs get built. You won’t just issue drawings; you’ll watch your designs get installed, started up, and perform, giving you direct feedback from the field. This position has project and deliverable accountability with no direct personnel responsibility.

The Senior Engineer mentors junior engineers, raises the bar on QA/QC, and serves as a trusted technical partner to Project Managers and the field. The intent is to deliver designs that support smooth field execution, clear client communication, and predictable project outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Technical ownership
• Own mechanical design execution from basis-of-design through permit and issued-for-construction (IFC) deliverables.
• Serve as Lead Designer: establish the basis of design, system selection, equipment sizing, control intent, and document strategy from kickoff through IFC.
• Design and troubleshoot both air-side (VAV, DOAS, exhaust, pressurization, filtration, heat recovery, etc.) and water-side (hydronic plants, pumping, control valves, coils, heat rejection, etc.) systems.
• Apply California codes and local requirements, including AHJ amendments and applicable energy code.
• QA/QC + standards
• Own QA/QC: loads/assumptions, duct/pipe sizing, schedules, details, sequences, coordination, and general “will this actually work” sanity checks.
• Coordination + field integration
• Assist Project Managers in presenting and explaining proposals, systems, findings and options to clients, general contractors and engineers
• Participate in site walks and existing conditions investigations
• Work with Project Managers and the engineering staff to prepare or refine the project scope
• Provide field support during construction: submittal review, RFIs, and design clarifications.
• Mentorship + leadership
• Direct and coordinate the project-based engineering activities of both in-house and outsourced engineering teams
• Guide and mentor junior engineers through real project work: fundamentals, codes, design judgment, and document quality.
• Give Engineering leadership clear feedback on training needs, performance growth, and where the team needs better tooling or standards.

Requirements

• 7-10 years’ experience in the commercial construction space
• 4-year engineering degree or equivalent
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, but not required
• Excellent understanding of engineering fundamentals, HVAC system types, equipment, installation standards, and procedures.
• The ability to assume responsibility, interface, and communicate with others is essential
• Must be fully versed in California and applicable local building codes
• Proficient in the use of Carrier HAP, Energy Pro, or equivalent
• Proficient in AutoCAD: Revit experience preferred