Mechanical Design Engineer III

Mechanical Design Engineer III - Mission Critical (Data Centers)

Location: Dulles, VA Full‑Time / Regular

My client is a 100% employee‑owned national MEP design‑build firm known for delivering complex, high‑performance infrastructure across mission‑critical/data center, healthcare, and large commercial environments. They are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer III to take technical ownership of sophisticated mechanical system designs while contributing to a rapidly expanding portfolio of data center and high‑density projects.

• Perform complex mechanical calculations
  , including HVAC load calculations, hydronic and airflow analysis, equipment selection and sizing, friction loss, and hydraulic calculations.
• Create and review drawings, specifications, standards, and technical documentation for HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and related building systems.
• Determine methods and solutions for complex engineering problems
  , identifying efficient and practical design approaches.
• Develop and refine standards, methods, and procedures for design evaluation and quality assurance.
• Direct the workflow of junior/less‑experienced engineers
  , mentoring them on technical design issues and project execution.
• Write technical narratives and RFI responses
  , contributing to clear communication with project teams, clients, and contractors.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• PE license preferred.
• 6+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Strong understanding of HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and associated systems.
• Ability to interpret complex mechanical and plumbing plans.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency in CADD and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).

My client is a fully employee‑owned organization where each team member directly participates in the company's long‑term success through an ESOP structure.

Employee‑owned firms are consistently associated with:

• Lower voluntary turnover and stronger engagement compared to non‑ESOP peers
• Higher long‑term wealth building for employees through accumulated ownership value

• 401(k) with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 100% paid for the employee
• Annual performance‑based bonus program
• Term life, AD&D, voluntary life, disability insurance
• FSA (health & dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
  , holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Company‑funded training, development, licenses, and professional memberships
• Comprehensive wellness benefits

This role sits at the heart of Northern Virginia - the world's most active and capacity‑constrained data center region - where mission‑critical engineering talent is in unprecedented demand.

• Record‑low vacancy rates (0.5%-1.6%) are driving continuous new development, ensuring a strong pipeline of advanced mechanical design work
• Operators are competing for power and infrastructure, elevating the importance of efficient mechanical design
• AI workloads are reshaping mechanical requirements, including rapid adoption of high‑density cooling and next‑generation thermal strategies
• Major cloud and colocation providers continue expanding in Northern Virginia with multi‑hundred‑megawatt campuses, fueling long‑term growth for engineers with mission‑critical expertise

This environment offers exceptional exposure to cutting‑edge technologies, high‑density cooling, and large‑scale engineering challenges‑ideal for someone aiming to deepen their technical expertise and accelerate their career.