Principal Mechanical Engineer

About the Role

Start designing tomorrow’s future! Are you a visionary Mechanical Engineer with a passion for innovation and a proven track record of successful project leadership? We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal level Engineer to join our dynamic team at Buro Happold. As a Principal Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in providing technical expertise and leadership to our Building Environments Group.

Come join our hybrid team based in Chicago.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional leadership for project teams as well as the broader group, driving successful outcomes and ensuring project objectives are achieved.

• Mentor and coach colleagues, fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and meaningful delegation within the team.

• Work closely with clients, architects, and other team members as part of a dedicated and skilled group, collaborating to deliver world‑class solutions.

• Oversee the production of coordinated detailed design drawings, specifications, site observation reports, schedules, and other project deliverables to ensure the highest quality standards.

• Take ownership of building and sustaining productive client relationships, proactively addressing client needs and ensuring overall client satisfaction.

• Direct multiple projects across the group, ensuring the successful implementation of engineering solutions while ensuring financial success.

• Continually maintain and develop the highest standards of technical quality, staying at the forefront of industry advancements and best practices.

• Ensure engineering practices, policies, and services align with the client’s best interests and comply with current legislation and building codes.

• Actively contribute to delivering profitable projects, monitoring financial performance, resourcing, and expenditure.

Skills & Experience

• Possess 15+ years of extensive experience in Mechanical Engineering design within the building services and construction industry.

• Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field.

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of building codes and mechanical design principles.

• Proven track record of successful project delivery in various sectors and regions.

• Possess excellent technical knowledge of HVAC systems, and good technical knowledge of other MEP building systems, with an ability to investigate and provide effective solutions to technical challenges.

• Adept at high-performance building design using electrified design solutions for both adaptive reuse and new building projects, with the ability to define the impact design solutions have on a building’s carbon footprint and a project’s commercial viability.

• Be a Professional Engineer (P.E.) or hold equivalent professional certification.

• LEED AP accreditation is preferred, reflecting a commitment to sustainable design practices.

• Familiarity with industry-standard software like Revit for detailed design drawings and computational analysis tools, such as CFD and energy modeling software, to develop innovative and energy-efficient solutions.

• Proven experience in a leadership capacity within an MEP Engineering Consultancy or related field.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, teams, and deadlines while ensuring client satisfaction.

• A self-starter with a founder’s mentality with the ability to work independently, combined with the flexibility to collaborate effectively within a team-based organization.

• Expertise in mentoring and coaching junior engineers to foster growth and development within the team.

• Proven success in business development, client acquisition, and maintaining long-term client relationships is an advantage.

Benefits

• Salary range of $180,000 to $230,000. This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience.

• Generous benefits package.

• Annual discretionary bonus.

• Generous PTO (5 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays.

• 401(k) with company…