Mechanical Engineer

Design the Facilities That Support Our Nation's Most Critical Missions

At RS&H, our work goes far beyond building systems—we design the environments that enable national defense, scientific discovery, and essential government operations. As a 100% employee-owned architecture, engineering, and consulting firm, we've partnered with federal agencies and the U.S. military for more than 80 years, delivering resilient, high-performing facilities across the United States and around the world.

We're seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our Federal Buildings team. In this role, you'll lead the design of HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical building systems for complex federal and Department of Defense facilities while collaborating with architects and multidisciplinary engineering teams on projects that have a lasting impact.

If you're looking for technically challenging work, meaningful projects, and the opportunity to grow as both an engineer and leader, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

As a Mechanical Engineer, you'll serve as a technical leader throughout the design process, helping deliver innovative, code-compliant, and sustainable mechanical solutions for federal clients.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the mechanical design of HVAC, plumbing, and related building systems for federal and defense facilities.
• Develop engineering studies, calculations, reports, specifications, and construction documents.
• Serve as the mechanical discipline lead on large, multidisciplinary projects, coordinating closely with architects, structural, electrical, and civil engineers.
• Evaluate design alternatives and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions that meet client objectives and federal requirements.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, proposal efforts, and project planning activities.
• Coordinate project schedules, budgets, and deliverables while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Review construction documents and perform quality control reviews throughout the design process.
• Support construction administration activities, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and conducting occasional field observations.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers, fostering professional growth across the team.
• Stay current with applicable building codes, UFC criteria, ASHRAE standards, and industry best practices.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• 7+ years of experience designing mechanical building systems.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience designing HVAC and plumbing systems for commercial, institutional, or federal facilities.
• Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD, along with mechanical engineering design and analysis software.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, mechanical systems, and construction document production.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, solve complex technical challenges, and mentor junior staff.
• Due to the nature of many of our federal projects, applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Legal Residents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, GSA, or other federal agency projects.
• Working knowledge of Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (ATFP) requirements, and federal design standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating directly with federal clients.
• Construction administration experience on federal or mission-critical projects.
• LEED accreditation or experience designing sustainable, high-performance facilities.

Why Join RS&H?

At RS&H, you'll join a collaborative team that's passionate about solving complex engineering challenges while creating facilities that support critical national missions. As an employee-owner, your success directly contributes to the firm's future—and you share it.

When you join RS&H, you'll enjoy:

• Ownership in a 100% employee-owned company.
• Opportunities to work on nationally significant federal, defense, aerospace, aviation, healthcare, and science projects.
• Collaboration with industry-leading architects, engineers, and technical specialists.
• Technical leadership and career development opportunities.
• A culture built around integrity, accountability, curiosity, teamwork, and care.
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits designed to support you throughout your career.

Join a Nationally Recognized Firm

Since 1941, RS&H has helped shape some of America's most important infrastructure and facilities. Today, we're proud to be recognized among the nation's leading design firms, including:

• Ranked among ENR's Top 500 Design Firms
• Ranked #7 in Military Facilities by Building Design+Construction
• Ranked #18 in Government Buildings by Building Design+Construction
• More than 80 years of experience delivering facilities for the U.S. military and federal agencies including the Department of Energy, Veterans Affairs, FEMA, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.

If you're ready to apply your expertise to projects that protect, support, and strengthen our nation while building your career with an employee-owned firm, we encourage you to apply today.

The typical salary range for this position in Norfolk, VA is $100,000 – 160,000 and commensurate with experience relative to the position.

Candidates whose experience exceeds the requirements are encouraged to apply or reach out to an RS&H recruiter to discuss other opportunities that may be a better fit for their background and salary expectations.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Please note: no agency representation or submissions will be recognized for this vacancy. Candidates should apply directly to this role to be considered. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiting and employment agencies to know and adhere to our recruiting policy.

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We take pride in having partnered with the Department of Defense for more than 70 years on facilities and infrastructure projects designed to protect, train, and service military personnel and their families. From hangars and airfields to training and command facilities, you could be a part of a team that is changing the landscape of national security. Whatever military projects arise, we’re ready to support our uniformed men and women that protect and serve our nation. 

Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms, with associates who work hard every day to create tomorrow together. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities, and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. We attribute our success to our unwavering commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork.