Mechanical Engineer

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves:
What is our impact on the world?

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience.

We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you’re optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next‑generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

HDR is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Building Engineering Services Business Group at the Walnut Creek or Folsom, CA office. This individual will be responsible for the mechanical (HVAC and plumbing) design of facilities in support of a variety of markets including Technology, Corporate/Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Water/Wastewater, Municipal, Industrial, Power, and Federal. They will coordinate and work closely with a multidisciplinary design team throughout the entire life cycle of projects from planning stages, through the development of construction documents, and construction administration.

The role includes the development of construction drawings, specifications, and supporting engineering calculations, as well as the review of shop drawings during construction. Experience in HVAC and plumbing design of building‑related projects is required. The candidate should be self‑motivated, collaborative, and possess strong leadership skills with an initiative to deliver high‑quality, technically sound engineering designs.

• Assume the mechanical lead and serve as the Mechanical and/or Plumbing Designer of Record (DOR) on small to mid‑sized data center projects, federal projects, and water/wastewater projects.
• Coordinate the work of the mechanical design team through the schematic design development and contract document phase of a project.
• Establish client relations and participate in marketing, design, and production meetings regarding mechanical systems.
• Coordinate meetings and participate in reviews with governing agencies for code compliance.
• Coordinate workload to complete documents on schedule.
• Conduct work sessions at the project site with the Project Manager and other disciplines.
• Review mechanical and plumbing documents for conflicts with all disciplines.
• Write and edit mechanical and plumbing specifications and select mechanical and plumbing equipment, systems, and devices.
• Coordinate with affected disciplines on addenda, RFIs, CPRs, and change orders, and incorporate agreed‑upon changes into project documents.
• Provide construction contract administration as needed.
• Conduct QA/QC on the work of other Mechanical Project Engineers, Mechanical Project Coordinators/EITs, or Mechanical CAD/BIM Technicians as needed.
• Give direction to clerical and technical personnel as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• California Mechanical Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in mechanical and plumbing system design for federal, commercial, and/or institutional facilities
• Experience in Data Center facility design and/or construction
• Experience in Water/Wastewater, Science and Technology, Hospitality, and/or…