Location: St. Louis Metro
Experience: 2–5+ years
Our client is a nationally recognized mechanical construction and engineering organization serving institutional, commercial, and industrial clients. Their engineering and preconstruction team takes a highly collaborative, value-driven approach—developing mechanical solutions around each owner’s operational needs, project goals, budget, and long-term lifecycle costs.
They are seeking a Mechanical Preconstruction Engineer who has a strong foundation in HVAC design and is interested in expanding into project pursuits, conceptual design, budgeting, value engineering, and client-facing preconstruction work.
This opportunity is ideal for a mechanical design engineer who wants to become involved earlier in the project lifecycle.
Rather than focusing exclusively on producing completed construction documents, this individual will help develop mechanical concepts during the pursuit and preconstruction phases. You will work closely with clients, estimators, project managers, engineers, and construction teams to evaluate project requirements and develop practical, cost-effective HVAC and piping solutions.
Prior estimating experience is not required. The company is primarily seeking someone with solid HVAC design knowledge who is interested in learning the budgeting, estimating, and construction-planning sides of the business.
Work directly with clients and internal teams to develop conceptual mechanical designs for a variety of facilities.
Provide technical expertise related to HVAC, ductwork, hydronic piping, plumbing, and other mechanical systems.
Prepare conceptual layouts and HVAC design documents during project pursuits.
Evaluate owner requirements, facility operations, first costs, operating costs, and lifecycle costs when developing system recommendations.
Assist with project planning, budgeting, design development, and value-engineering efforts.
Review mechanical cost estimates, budgets, and proposals based on conceptual designs.
Collaborate with project management, estimating, engineering, and construction teams throughout the preconstruction process.
Review plans, specifications, drawings, and project requirements to identify potential risks, constructability concerns, and design opportunities.
Participate in client meetings, pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project interviews.
Help prepare and present technical information, design concepts, system recommendations, and project budgets to clients and other stakeholders.
Coordinate with estimating teams to review bid packages, supplier and subcontractor pricing, and project scope.
Support the transition of awarded projects from preconstruction into engineering and construction.
Stay current on mechanical-system technologies, building codes, industry standards, and construction best practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
2–5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or HVAC design.
Strong understanding of commercial HVAC systems, ductwork, piping, and mechanical design principles.
Experience within an engineering firm, mechanical contractor, design-build contractor, or construction-related environment is preferred.
Ability to interpret mechanical plans, specifications, drawings, and technical documents.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Detail-oriented with the ability to evaluate multiple design options and system approaches.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Comfortable collaborating with clients, engineers, estimators, project managers, and construction professionals.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Familiarity with mechanical building codes, regulations, and design standards.
Professional Engineer licensure is a plus but is not required.
Prior estimating or preconstruction experience is helpful but not required.
Expand beyond mechanical design into preconstruction, budgeting, and project pursuits.
Gain direct exposure to clients, estimating teams, project managers, and construction operations.
Work on complex institutional, commercial, and industrial projects.
Join a collaborative engineering and construction organization with nationwide capabilities.
Develop experience in conceptual design, value engineering, constructability, and lifecycle-cost analysis.
Build a long-term career path within engineering, preconstruction, design-build, or project leadership.
Qualified candidates may send a resume to
anna.boyd@gogpac.com
for confidential consideration and additional information.All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.