Building Mechanical Engineer (HVAC) - water/wastewater
Job details
- Pay
- $114,000 – $155,000 a year
- Work mode
- Hybrid
- Level
- Senior
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Posted
- Nov 6, 2026
- Last confirmed open
- Nov 6, 2026
- Job function
- Production/Manufacturing › Mechanical Design & Manufacturing › Mechanical Engineer
About this role
Brown and Caldwell (BC), a leading environmental engineering firm, has an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated Building Mechanical Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will work on various water/wastewater projects for municipal and federal clients. We offer a collaborative, multi-discipline environment to develop innovative, cost-effective designs for new facilities, expansions, upgrades and retrofits.
This Building Mechanical Engineering role will take on complex projects and leads the development of HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler designs. The role will interpret mechanical, plumbing, building, and fire codes, as well as NFPA standards relevant to commercial buildings and wastewater treatment facilities.
This includes multi-disciplinary coordination and developing design elements, such as identifying and selecting appropriate equipment (including sizing ductwork, plumbing, and fire sprinkler distribution systems), developing and reviewing calculations, drawings, specifications, and engineering reports.
Additionally, this role may include directing BIM professionals to create 3D models and or personally drafting and modeling these systems using AutoCAD and Revit software. During construction phases, this role will also perform submittal reviews, respond to contractor inquiries, and provide in-person site observations (as or if needed).
Hybrid work arrangements are preferred but for the right candidate, remote may be allowed. Candidates located in the Central, Mountain or Pacific time zones are preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop comprehensive HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler calculations for different projects.
- Interpret mechanical, plumbing, building, and fire codes and apply them in work.
- Understand and interpret NFPA standards and implement them correctly.
- Effectively size ductwork, plumbing, and fire sprinkler distribution systems for optimal functionality.
- Utilize relevant software tools to draft and model HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler systems.
- Use software solutions to create detailed specifications for HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler equipment.
- Review HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler drawings/specifications for accuracy and consistency.
- Coordinate with other engineering disciplines to ensure smooth project execution.
- Flexibility to adapt and execute various additional assignments based on evolving needs.
Mentorship
- May provide mentorship, guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing to help less experienced team members develop their skills and grow within their roles.
Skills and Competencies
- Adept at interpreting and applying mechanical, plumbing, building, and fire codes as well as NFPA standards.
- Highly proficient in software tools for drafting and modeling HVAC, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems.
- Skilled in developing HVAC, plumbing and fire sprinkler calculations and specifications.
- Excellent problem-solving skills for handling routine tasks.
- Strong ability to review and coordinate HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler drawings/specifications with other engineering disciplines.
- Strong ability to work independently and provide guidance to less experienced colleagues.
Experience
- Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of building mechanical engineering or related experience.
- Typically will become certified in BC’s Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) SMS Framework and progress through the SMS competencies.
Preferred Experience
- 8+ years of building mechanical engineering or related experience.
- Prior experience in municipal discipline engineering designs and consulting within the water and wastewater industry.
- Knowledge of piping and ductwork layout and design of 3D piping systems.
- Ability to work with Designers/Drafters in Revit/BIM environment.
- Experience in HVAC and plumbing piping design.
- Experience using engineering calculation software (MathCAD, Excel, AFT Arrow/Fathom).
- Willingness to achieve multi-state P.E. licensure.
- Experience in coordinating with interdisciplinary teams.
Education
- A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field or equivalent experience is required.
- Has achieved or is working towards achieving professional license.
Preferred Education
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) Licensure.
Salary Range
The anticipated starting pay range for this position is based on the employee’s primary work location and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. These ranges may be modified in the future.
Location
A: $95,000 - $129,000
Location B: $104,000 - $142,000
Location C: $114,000 - $155,000
You can view which BC location applies to you here. (http://bit.ly/3uQe7gi) If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.
Benefits and Other Compensation
- We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance.
- Click here (https://brownandcaldwell.com/careers/benefits/) to see our full list of benefits.
About Brown and Caldwell
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies.
We strive to be the company of choice—to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities.
For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com (http://www.brownandcaldwell.com)
Learn more about our work:
Climate Change and Resilience - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/services/climate-change/)
Data Center Water - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/services/data-center-water/)
Emerging Contaminants and PFAS - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/services/emerging-contaminants-and-pfas/)
Digital Solutions - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/services/smart-utility/)
News - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/news/)
Projects - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/projects/)
Industrial Water - Brown and Caldwell (https://brownandcaldwell.com/services/industrial-water/)
This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.
Notice to Third Party Agencies
Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.
Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Equal Opportunity
Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.