Job Title: HVAC Mechanical Design EngineerJob Description
This role offers the opportunity to join a collaborative mechanical team in Fishers, IN and lead the design and engineering of HVAC systems for a wide range of projects, including industrial, warehouse and tenant improvements, commercial buildings, higher education, K-12 schools, hospitality, office spaces, and large food service facilities across the Midwest and the U.S. You will take ownership of mechanical HVAC designs from initial load calculations through equipment selection, system layout, and construction documents, while working closely with plumbing, hydronics, electrical, and other disciplines in a design/build environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop complete HVAC construction documents for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects, including drawings, specifications, details, and schedules.
- Perform HVAC load calculations using Trane TRACE and analyze project requirements to recommend appropriate mechanical systems.
- Design and lay out HVAC systems, including equipment, ductwork, piping, and associated components, ensuring efficient and code-compliant solutions.
- Select and size mechanical equipment and coordinate with manufacturers and vendors to support project designs and performance requirements.
- Perform ductwork and piping sizing calculations and assist with hydronic system design as required.
- Conduct field surveys and document existing conditions for renovations, proposals, and new projects to inform design decisions.
- Develop overall project design approaches and carry designs through detailed phases of development from concept to construction documents.
- Prepare, review, and check engineering calculations, reports, schedules, and construction documents for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Coordinate mechanical systems with architectural, structural, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical disciplines to ensure fully integrated designs.
- Perform multidisciplinary coordination and clash detection using Revit and Navisworks to identify and resolve conflicts before construction.
- Identify and resolve coordination conflicts during the design process, working closely with internal teams to maintain design integrity.
- Review applicable mechanical and energy codes and incorporate all relevant requirements into project designs.
- Assist during construction by responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and addressing design-related questions from the project team.
- Participate in internal design reviews and project coordination meetings to align scope, schedule, and quality expectations.
- Collaborate with project managers, engineers, designers, and BIM staff to meet project schedules and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
- Independently manage assigned projects by performing initial load calculations, equipment selection, vendor coordination, system sizing and routing, creating plan sheets, and delivering complete design packages to the team for construction.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of mechanical HVAC design experience, with the ability to design independently and manage projects from initial calculations through construction documents.
- Strong proficiency in Revit for mechanical and MEP design, including model creation, system layout, and coordination.
- Demonstrated ability to perform HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, duct sizing, and piping sizing for commercial and industrial systems.
- Experience with mechanical HVAC engineering and MEP design for a variety of building types such as commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities.
- Ability to coordinate effectively between disciplines, including architectural, structural, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, BIM, and construction management.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to review and check calculations, reports, schedules, and construction documents for accuracy.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with project managers, engineers, designers, BIM staff, and vendors.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in mechanical engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) with the ability and interest to pursue licensure.
- Experience with commercial and industrial HVAC systems is preferred.
- Background in design consulting firms is preferred and valued for understanding traditional plan/spec processes.
- Experience using Trane TRACE for load calculations.
- Experience with Navisworks for multidisciplinary coordination and clash detection.
- Technology or related degrees are considered for designer-level candidates who can design independently.
- Familiarity with mechanical and energy codes and their application to building designs.
- Ability to work effectively within a design/build environment, leveraging in-house construction and BIM resources.
Work Environment
The role is based in a modern office in Fishers, IN, located near major highways and close to downtown Fishers and local amenities such as entertainment and dining venues. The workspace consists of standard office areas with cubicles and private offices, and the culture is highly collaborative, with frequent interaction among mechanical, electrical, BIM, and construction management teams in a design/build setting. Team members typically work Monday through Friday, roughly 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with understood flexibility around start times (generally between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM) and hybrid work options. After an initial period of approximately 60 days, many employees incorporate remote work, commonly spending 23 days per week in the office. The environment supports professional growth, offering opportunities to take on higher levels of responsibility without requiring licensure, and benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation (PTO up to three weeks based on industry experience), six paid holidays, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) with a generous company match, and a company-provided phone and laptop. The typical workload for salaried team members averages around 4045 hours per week, and the design/build model minimizes many of the coordination challenges common in consulting firms by handling RFQs, RFIs, and specifications in-house.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fishers, IN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.86 - $57.69/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fishers, IN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Fishers,IN.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
