Job description

Design Hire is seeking a Sr Lead Mechanical Engineer / Office Manager to lead the mechanical engineering team in our client's Charlotte, NC office. This position combines hands-on mechanical engineering, project management, team leadership, and client development within a multidisciplinary building engineering practice. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design, along with experience managing engineering teams, overseeing projects, and developing client relationships. Responsibilities • Lead and mentor a mechanical engineering team consisting of three junior/mid-level engineers and an experienced remote engineer, providing technical guidance, oversight, and quality control. • Manage mechanical engineering projects from initial concept through design, construction documentation, and construction administration, including HVAC, plumbing, process piping, and fire protection systems. • Oversee project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and overall financial performance while ensuring engineering quality and client satisfaction. • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, evaluating design solutions, and maintaining strong client relationships. • Support office operations, proposal development, business development, and the continued growth of the Charlotte mechanical engineering team. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. • 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably within an architectural/engineering (A/E) consulting firm. • Strong technical background in building mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection. • Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, mentoring junior engineers, and managing multiple projects. • Experience overseeing project budgets, schedules, and technical deliverables. • Strong client-facing communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships. • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, ideally in North Carolina, but not required. • Ability to work primarily onsite in Charlotte, with occasional remote flexibility. Equal Employment Opportunity Design Hire is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Employment Eligibility if hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Requirements

Must-haves

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design, along with experience managing engineering teams, overseeing projects, and developing client relationships.
Lead and mentor a mechanical engineering team consisting of three junior/mid-level engineers and an experienced remote engineer, providing technical guidance, oversight, and quality control.
Manage mechanical engineering projects from initial concept through design, construction documentation, and construction administration, including HVAC, plumbing, process piping, and fire protection systems.
Oversee project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and overall financial performance while ensuring engineering quality and client satisfaction.
Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, evaluating design solutions, and maintaining strong client relationships.
Support office operations, proposal development, business development, and the continued growth of the Charlotte mechanical engineering team.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably within an architectural/engineering (A/E) consulting firm.
Strong technical background in building mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection.
Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, mentoring junior engineers, and managing multiple projects.
Experience overseeing project budgets, schedules, and technical deliverables.
Strong client-facing communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships.
Ability to work primarily onsite in Charlotte, with occasional remote flexibility.

Nice-to-haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, ideally in North Carolina, but not required.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: zoho-recruit
Effort: medium