Senior Mechanical Engineer – HVAC Systems; Construction

At JH Kelly, we’re looking for a driven, systems-thinking Senior Mechanical Engineer who thrives on leading HVAC design direction from concept to completion—delivering coordinated, error‑free designs for mechanical construction projects through calculations, equipment selection, and layouts for air handling, duct distribution, hydronic systems, pipe distribution, and central plants—while managing tight schedules and deadlines with precision. This is your chance to make a real impact.

This role is for someone who brings energy, technical mastery, and collaborative leadership to the table every day.

Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family‑owned construction powerhouse with a legacy of tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader fueled by an award‑winning team known for safety, quality, and a tight‑knit, dynamic culture.

Curious about our story and impact? Check us out at

We want a leader who doesn’t wait for direction but dives in, anticipates coordination needs, and delivers flawless work. You’re curious, confident without arrogance, and already leveraging modern tools (like Revit and load calculation software) to work smarter and faster. If you can juggle design deadlines, guide a multi‑disciplinary effort, and keep the big picture in focus, you’re the kind of force multiplier we need to drive our mechanical engineering forward.

Our projects span commercial markets with a focus on Healthcare, and this role is based in Vancouver, WA.

As our Senior Mechanical Engineer, you’ll lead design direction from concept to completion, providing engineering consultation, coordination, modeling, and documentation in a design/build delivery. This isn’t a junior role—it’s about leadership, execution, and technical excellence.

Salary Range: $115,000 – $145,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications. (FLSA Exempt)

• Lead engineering design direction from project conception to completion, ensuring high‑quality, fully coordinated designs that are free of errors and delivered on time.
• Conduct engineering calculations, specification, selection, and layout of HVAC systems, including air handling, duct distribution, hydronic systems, pipe distribution, and central plants.
• Design HVAC systems utilizing the latest modeling software, with complete proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam Revu.

• Understand and complete code‑required energy compliance documentation.
• Apply working knowledge of industry building codes, standards, and sustainability metrics (LEED accreditation a plus).

• Work closely with business development, estimators, project managers, supply chain, vendors, and operating groups on stand‑alone and integrated projects.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with project team members, customers, and vendors; answer design and installation questions for Project Management, Construction, Service, Controls, and other teams.
• Coordinate plumbing design and maintain basic working knowledge of plumbing systems.

• Visit job sites and perform job walks/inspections as needed.
• Manage time to meet project schedules and task deadlines in a fast‑paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.

• Demonstrate eagerness to learn, train for engineering proficiency, and mentor others.
• Perform additional tasks or projects as assigned.

• Experience:
  
  10+ years’ mechanical HVAC engineering design experience with a track record of performing design, calculations, equipment selection, and layout of mechanical HVAC systems. Basic plumbing engineering design experience preferred. Healthcare facility design experience required.
• Skills:
  
  Complete understanding of engineering fundamentals; fully proficient in Microsoft Office; familiar with load calculation software. Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Mindset:
  Self‑starter, motivated, organized, productive, and comfortable in a…