Department Head – Mechanical

Department Head – Mechanical

Location:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The ideal candidate is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer with 7–15 years of consulting experience in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design. They are technically strong, enjoy mentoring others, and are ready to transition into full departmental leadership while maintaining hands-on project involvement.

We are seeking a Department Head – Mechanical to join an established engineering consulting firm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This role is ideal for a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer with 7–15 years of consulting experience in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection system design who is ready to step into a leadership track.

This position blends technical expertise with team leadership, project oversight, and strategic input. The selected candidate will oversee mechanical design projects across commercial and institutional sectors while mentoring engineers and contributing to departmental growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers and designers
• Oversee HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection system designs across all project phases
• Serve as the primary mechanical point of contact for multiple concurrent projects
• Ensure deliverables are high-quality, code-compliant, on schedule, and within budget
• Participate in client meetings and internal coordination sessions
• Support business development and assist in proposal preparation
• Review design documents and coordinate project schedules
• Conduct team performance evaluations and workflow management
• Perform construction administration tasks including:
• Shop drawing reviews
• Site visits
• Prepare energy models, system evaluations, and technical specifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Required)
• Professional Engineering (PE) license (Required)
  • Licensure in another state acceptable; must obtain Iowa PE upon hire
• 7–15 years of hands-on experience in mechanical systems design and consulting
• Strong HVAC system load calculation, layout, and equipment selection experience
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and managing workflows
• Familiarity with mechanical codes, building standards, and permitting processes
• Proficiency in:
  • Trane Trace 700
  • Microsoft Office
  • Technical specification software
• Working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD (Preferred)

Desired / Preferred Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Broad knowledge of:
  • HVAC systems
  • Hydronic systems
  • Air-side systems
  • Heat pump systems
  • Geothermal systems
• Experience with cost estimating and technical report writing
• Interest in evolving mechanical technologies and codes
• Leadership capability with collaborative team mindset

Professional Development

• In-house technical training
• ASHRAE certification preparation
• LEED accreditation support
• Vendor-sponsored training programs
• Leadership development opportunities