Engineering Lead - HVAC - Building Systems - Director-Level

Engineering Lead (HVAC)

If you're a senior HVAC engineer who wants to step into leadership without losing the technical side, this is a real opportunity to do both. This is not a title-only Director role. You will lead, design, and shape how work gets done. This could be a fit for someone stepping into leadership or an experienced leader who still wants to stay hands-on.

We are open to different levels of experience depending on the strength of the candidate.

The Opportunity We are partnering closely with a well-established engineering firm in the Milwaukee area that is looking to strengthen how their Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing teams work together. Today, each discipline performs well individually. The gap is coordination, consistency, and leadership across projects. This role is being created to fix that. You will step in as the senior mechanical voice while helping align teams, improve execution, and bring structure to how projects are delivered.

• Lead HVAC design on key projects
• Review and guide system design (airside, hydronic, central plant)
• Drive QA/QC and ensure design quality across projects
• Step into complex problems and provide solutions

Project & Client Ownership:

• Manage projects from concept through construction
• Work directly with clients, architects, and internal teams
• Support proposals, project planning, and backlog visibility
• Influence project strategy, not just execution

Team & Coordination:

• Improve coordination across mechanical, electrical, and plumbing teams
• Mentor junior engineers and elevate overall team capability
• Help create more consistency in how work is delivered
• Act as a central point of alignment across disciplines

Why This Role Is Different:

• Real influence on how the engineering team operates
• Direct access to leadership and decision-making
• Diverse project mix across commercial, healthcare, and institutional work
• Opportunity to help shape a team that is still evolving
• Clear path into broader leadership as the group grows

This is a role where you can build something, not just inherit it. Who This Could Be a Fit For:

• Senior Mechanical Engineer ready to step into leadership
• Current Lead Engineer looking for more influence and visibility
• Proven Engineering Leader who still wants to stay close to the technical work
• Experienced HVAC engineer looking for broader impact across projects and teams

What You Bring:

• Strong HVAC / MEP design background
• Experience leading projects and guiding technical work
• Broad system knowledge (not limited to one niche)
• Comfortable working directly with clients
• PE license strongly preferred; strong candidates on track or with equivalent experience will be considered

What This Role Is Not:

• Not a pure management role removed from design
• Not a highly structured corporate environment
• Not a narrow, single-system engineering role

Team Snapshot:

• Mechanical: small and growing, relatively junior
• Electrical and Plumbing: established but operating independently
• Total team influenced: ~10–12 engineers

You will quickly become a go-to resource and leader within the group. Compensation & Support:

• Base salary aligned with senior-level engineering leadership roles
• Performance-based bonus
• Long-term growth and leadership opportunity
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

Important Note:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.