Lead Project Engineer- Building Mechanical Systems

Role details

• Lead Project Engineer- Building Mechanical Systems
• Location: Richmond, VA
• Work arrangement: Hybrid flexibility Q1 2027 but will be required to be onsite full time as the project progresses
• Multiyear project: 1-5 years based on performance, funding, and project needs
• Pay up to $100 per hour based on experience plus per diem for candidates outside of the area
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Holidays, PTO

What you’ll do

• Lead assigned building-mechanical workstreams, with focus on HVAC, air-handling units, mechanical piping, plumbing, and fire protection.
• Own defined portions of the building’s mechanical systems - not the entire building - and coordinate interfaces between systems and work packages.
• Drive assigned systems through design, construction, commissioning, qualification, startup, and turnover.
• Coordinate engineering firms, construction management teams, contractors, vendors, and project representatives.
• Review engineering designs and technical deliverables, including drawings, specifications, calculations, and related documentation.
• Manage assigned scope, schedules, budgets, risks, changes, and vendor coordination; communicate status and resolve issues.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Facilities, and EHS to support safe, compliant project delivery.
• Support preparation or review of User Requirements Specifications (URS), design-basis documents, commissioning and qualification materials, and system turnover documentation as needed.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with building mechanical systems or capital projects focusing on HVAC, air handling, mechanical piping, plumbing, or fire protection.
• Ability to manage work across the project lifecycle, from design through construction, commissioning/qualification, and turnover.
• Experience coordinating vendors, and multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, regulated manufacturing preferred but other industries considered
• Must have flexibility to work onsite in Richmond, VA

What happens next:

Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry – even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in the Kelly Engineering network. That means our team of expert engineering recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless

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