Job Title: Mechanical Engineer - HVAC & Plumbing (Mid-to-Senior Individual Contributor)
Job Description
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer - HVAC & Plumbing (Mid-to-Senior Individual Contributor) to support the design and development of systems for technically complex, mission-critical federal facilities. This is a hands-on role focused on owning HVAC and plumbing system design, calculations, and Revit-based construction documentation within a collaborative, fast-paced team environment. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented engineers who thrive in production-focused work and are eager to contribute to high-impact projects across VA, DoD, and federal infrastructure.
Responsibilities
Independently design HVAC and plumbing systems with direct ownership of system layouts, calculations, and construction documentation.
Perform mechanical calculations, including load calculations, equipment sizing, pump calculations, and general HVAC and plumbing system calculations.
Validate calculation inputs and outputs, applying sound engineering judgment when results appear inconsistent or incorrect.
Produce high-quality construction documents in Revit, including models and drawings that clearly reflect personally designed systems.
Support multiple projects concurrently in a lean team environment, managing priorities and deadlines effectively.
Coordinate closely with architecture, electrical, and other engineering disciplines to ensure fully integrated designs.
Participate in short site visits for field verification, existing system assessment, and confirmation of design conditions.
Actively contribute to the production of construction documents, details, and specifications, rather than focusing solely on coordination or oversight.
Clearly articulate systems personally designed, calculations personally performed, and drawings personally produced when collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with project teams to support mission-critical federal and defense facilities where HVAC and ventilation requirements differ significantly from commercial buildings.
Maintain accountability for meeting project deadlines while working within a laid-back but performance-driven culture.
Provide occasional client-facing support during site visits or meetings, particularly for engineers with strong presentation and communication skills.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or a related field preferred.
5-10+ years of recent, hands-on HVAC and plumbing design experience, with more Senior candidates considered only if they are clearly still performing active design, calculations, and Revit production.
Demonstrated experience personally designing both HVAC and plumbing systems (not HVAC-only with limited plumbing exposure).
Proven ability to perform mechanical load modeling and mechanical calculations, including loads, equipment sizing, and pump calculations.
Strong proficiency with Revit MEP, including active production of construction documents, drafting, and modeling in the current or most recent role.
Direct ownership of drawing production in Revit, not limited to coordination, redlining, or CAD-only work.
Hands-on HVAC and plumbing design execution clearly evidenced through a portfolio or resume that shows personally produced construction documents and detailing work.
Experience working across multiple concurrent projects rather than a single long-term program.
EIT registration required as a baseline credential.
Ability to quickly contribute without the need for Revit training or extensive onboarding in construction documentation workflows.
Capability to support technically complex, high-impact federal and mission-critical facilities where HVAC and ventilation requirements differ from commercial projects.
Strong engineering judgment and problem-solving skills, especially in validating and troubleshooting calculation results.
Effective communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain design decisions, calculations, and documentation to project teams and stakeholders.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required; licensure does not replace the need for hands-on execution.
Controls systems exposure is a plus.
Experience with federal facilities such as VA hospitals or Department of Defense bases is highly desirable.
Background in industrial or medical facility projects is beneficial.
Strong technical writing and documentation skills are an advantage.
Experience working on mission-critical or defense-related facilities where HVAC and ventilation requirements are more complex than typical commercial buildings.
Comfort working in a lean team environment with significant personal responsibility for production and quality.
Ability to handle occasional client-facing responsibilities, including site presentations and coordination meetings.
Willingness to maintain a long-term commitment to a stable pipeline of funded federal work.
Interest in contributing to significant growth in the Southern California region and supporting high-impact infrastructure projects.
Work Environment
The role is based in an office setting in Irvine, CA, with a laid-back culture that emphasizes meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work. The team consists of approximately 14 people in the local office, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment with strong technical oversight and project coordination. Work involves a mix of office-based design and documentation, along with occasional local field visits for site verification and system assessment. Site visits are typically short, often 1 day and rarely extending to 2-4 days, with additional travel possible for engineers who excel in client-facing presentations. Standard working hours are generally 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with some flexibility. There is an initial 90-day in-office ramp period to support integration, collaboration, and productivity. After this period, a long-term hybrid schedule is available, typically 3 days onsite and 2 days remote, with no fully remote arrangements. Engineers are welcome to work from home or the office on hybrid days but are expected to be onsite for in-person meetings. Individuals who live close to the Irvine office are encouraged to be in the office more frequently. The environment centers on technically complex, high-impact federal and mission-critical projects, offering long-term stability, a strong pipeline of funded work, and the opportunity to work with advanced mechanical systems and Revit-based workflows.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Irvine, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $57.00 - $72.00/hr.
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 hybrid position in Irvine,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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.
