Job Title: Mechanical Designer
Job Description
This Mechanical Designer role offers the opportunity to work on a wide variety of commercial, educational, municipal, healthcare, higher education, and other complex building projects while collaborating closely with experienced engineers in the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. You will apply your mechanical and MEP design expertise—particularly in HVAC, plumbing, controls, and hydronics—to produce complete, biddable construction documents using AutoCAD and Revit. The position combines hands-on technical design with growing project management responsibilities in a collaborative, mentorship-focused environment that supports professional development, licensing, and long-term career growth.
Responsibilities
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Develop mechanical and MEP designs for HVAC, plumbing, controls, and hydronic systems for commercial, educational, municipal, healthcare, higher education, and other building projects.
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Prepare complete, biddable construction document sets, including plans, details, schedules, and specifications, in alignment with project requirements and industry standards.
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Create and revise 2D and 3D mechanical drawings using AutoCAD and Revit, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and coordination with other disciplines.
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Apply a working knowledge of commonly used building codes and business codes to ensure code-compliant mechanical designs and documentation.
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Support and, over time, manage smaller projects, balancing approximately 60% technical design work with 40% project-related responsibilities.
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Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and other designers to maintain design quality, meet deadlines, and support inter-office collaboration on regional and national projects.
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Participate in the development and maintenance of construction documents throughout the project lifecycle, including design, coordination, and revisions based on stakeholder feedback.
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Assist with code compliance reviews and incorporate code requirements into mechanical system layouts and documentation.
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Communicate effectively with internal team members to clarify design intent, resolve issues, and support a smooth project delivery process.
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Collaborate within small teams where project managers typically oversee 1–2 designers, contributing to a tight-knit and supportive project environment.
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Engage in mentorship and technical learning opportunities, both receiving guidance from the staff and, over time, providing support to less experienced team members.
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Manage time effectively to meet project deadlines in a deadline-driven yet relaxed work setting, adjusting priorities as needed based on project demands.
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Contribute to spec writing and documentation for complex mechanical systems as needed.
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Participate in team meetings, lunch-and-learn sessions, and in-office trainings to stay current with tools, standards, and best practices.
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Support the firm’s focus on innovation and AI-driven design automation by being open to new tools and workflows as they are introduced.
Essential Skills
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5–10 years of experience in mechanical engineering design, including HVAC and/or plumbing design, controls, and hydronics.
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5+ years of experience as a Project Designer in mechanical engineering focused on HVAC and/or plumbing design, controls, and hydronic systems.
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Proficiency in AutoCAD for producing accurate 2D mechanical drawings.
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Proficiency in Revit and Revit MEP for 3D modeling and coordination of mechanical systems.
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Ability to complete both 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD and Revit.
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Strong mechanical design skills for building systems, including complex mechanical systems.
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Experience with MEP design and MEP engineering for building projects.
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Ability to put together a complete set of biddable construction documents for mechanical and MEP systems.
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Working knowledge of regularly used building codes and commonly used business codes applicable to mechanical and MEP design.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation, coordination, and communication.
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Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact effectively with team members and stakeholders.
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Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet project deadlines.
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Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within small, project-focused teams.
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Comfort working in an office environment with hybrid in-office and remote collaboration.
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Knowledge of commercial, educational, and municipal construction processes and project environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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A degree in Mechanical Engineering is preferred but not required.
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EIT or PE license, or demonstrated progress toward these professional licensing goals.
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LEED AP or other relevant sustainability or building performance certifications.
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Experience with electrical design and controls engineering within a building systems context.
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Experience with hydronic system design and associated controls.
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Familiarity with spec writing for mechanical and MEP systems.
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Experience with Dynamo or similar tools to enhance Revit workflows is a plus.
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Exposure to or interest in AI-driven design automation and innovative design technologies.
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Experience with educational projects, healthcare facilities, higher education buildings, and other complex project types.
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Ability to manage smaller projects while maintaining a strong contribution to design production, with the capacity to grow into more advanced project management responsibilities.
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Interest in mentorship, both as a mentee and, over time, as a mentor, supporting a culture of learning and growth.
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Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in both design and documentation.
Work Environment
The role is based in a professional office setting with a flexible, hybrid work schedule and a people-first, family-oriented culture. The standard schedule is an 8-hour shift with a flexible start time, and options such as a 4/9 schedule with a half-day on Friday. The schedule is intentionally described as “gray” rather than rigid, allowing for personalized arrangements while maintaining team collaboration and project commitments. Onboarding typically involves being onsite approximately 2–3 days per week, transitioning over time to around 1 day per week or every other week in the office, depending on autonomy, performance, and team needs. Initially, you can expect to be in the office at least 3 days per week with 2 remote days, with increased remote flexibility as you become more established. Some team members work in the office once a week, and the team coordinates to be in the office on the same day to support collaboration. The environment features small, tight-knit teams where project managers typically support and mentor 1–2 mechanical designers, and team sizes flex based on workload. The firm operates as a smaller, multidisciplinary building systems design practice, which encourages fluid roles, hands-on learning, and close collaboration across offices on regional and national projects. The culture is laid-back, inclusive, and development-focused, with strong employee retention and an emphasis on mentorship, quarterly check-ins, and ongoing education. The office provides ample space for collaboration, with a comfortable, business-center setting and a relaxed, professional dress code appropriate for an engineering office. The company hosts regular team-building activities, luncheons, lunch-and-learn sessions, and in-office trainings, and supports networking, certifications, licensing, and continuing education. The workload is roughly 60% technical design and 40% project-related responsibilities, with project management responsibilities increasing as you progress. The organization is growing at a healthy pace and is heavily invested in innovation, including AI-driven design automation, offering a dynamic environment for long-term career growth.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $28.87 - $40.87/hr.
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)
This is a hybrid position in Sacramento,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.
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 [email protected] 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.
