Senior Mechanical Engineer
Firm Overview
Do more than just build! At dbHMS, we are a collection of doers and thinkers. We combine our passion for engineering with our client’s vision to realize successful construction projects in our community and worldwide. Together with our clients, we are dedicated to leaving a legacy of stewardship and innovation through our impact on the built environment. Our staff of talented individuals and unique characters is united in their dedication to delivering high-performance, efficient, and sustainable buildings worldwide.
Our Commissioning (Cx) Studio team, in our Chicago office is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to help lead our Commissioning Studio. This role will provide Cx project leadership and guidance, direct the efforts of others, and perform project management tasks. Cx involves reviewing a building’s mechanical system design as it evolves, testing the equipment, and monitoring systems and energy use for a variety of complex projects. As a member of our Cx Studio, you will be working closely with clients, contractors, architects, and other MEP peer engineers.
Our dynamic work environment provides the perfect opportunity to advance your career while developing and fine-tuning your skills along with offering a supportive office culture, diverse workforce, flexible work schedules, and regular social events. At dbHMS, you will find everything you need for an exciting, challenging, and rewarding career.
dbHMS is committed to a diverse workforce and to providing a safe, accessible workplace. Most duties will be performed in an office environment. dbHMS currently operates with both hybrid and remote-only work policies. The remainder of the duties will be performed in a combination of office environment and construction/field environment which will involve trips to project sites.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and frequently is required to walk. The work typically requires the use of hands to type, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand and perform work in the field. The typical week consists of five, eight-hour shifts. When in the field the employee must be able to climb stairs and endure typical construction site conditions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Occasional overnight travel may be required depending on the employee’s home location. Frequent local field visits in the office metro area will be necessary. A valid and clean driver's license is required.
dbHMS offers a competitive benefits package that includes*
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Insurance - Health, Dental, Vision, and Life
- Paid Time Off
- Professional Trade Organization dues reimbursement
- Waiting periods may apply.
Position Overview
Experienced Senior Mechanical and Electrical Engineers from all disciplines wanting to expand their skills are perfect candidates for a Commissioning career and are encouraged to apply. Any understanding of site construction processes and technical experience is beneficial to the commissioning team. Commissioning Project Management within dbHMS requires an understanding of the Commissioning discipline and a basic understanding of all other disciplines within the Design Studios (MEP/FP trades). Senior Mechanical Engineers are expected to effectively leverage past experiences, education, and expert resources to further their own understanding, address complex issues, and help owners implement new system solutions.
A Senior Mechanical Engineer within the dbHMS Commissioning Studio will have the capacity to expand our team, lead projects, and mentor entry-level engineers while they analyze buildings and how integrated components operate. Commissioning is a Quality Assurance process of monitoring a design as it evolves, testing the as-built building enclosures and equipment, and monitoring the building systems operation and energy use. Every building is a prototype, never assembled before, that needs to be analyzed and tested to see if it functions as the designers and owner intended. The job requires both office work and fieldwork such as reviewing drawings, writing test procedures, and putting the building through its paces, testing its systems, and recording the results. This role has a major impact on the sustainable performance of buildings by ensuring they perform as designed to reduce energy use and carbon footprint, impacting global sustainability.
Essential Job Functions
- Technical
- Apply knowledge of engineering to understand systems in building designs.
- Understand building codes and apply information from them to proposed plans.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure engineering quality and accurate technical content of project documents.
- Good communication skills both verbal and written.
- Project Design
- Survey existing buildings and identify discipline-specific systems and components.
- Understanding of architectural, mechanical, and electrical system design documents.
- Be able to read and understand construction documents, floor plans, specifications, and equipment product data.
- Review design documents for compliance with LEED and energy code requirements to ensure buildings run sustainably, as designed.
- Comprehend sequences of operation in control equipment and spot problems that will prevent proper operation, and therefore be less environmentally sustainable.
- Review, provide, or edit Commissioning related project specifications.
- Write functional tests for equipment based on design and construction documents.
- Construction Management
- Review Submittals and RFI’s and identify any deviations from the design intent.
- Perform Design Reviews and seek input from senior staff.
- Performs site visits and prepares Field Observation Reports.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure engineering quality and accurate technical content and compliance with the project documents with the intent of improving the quality and maintainability of future operations.
- Perform functional testing in the field, collect and evaluate building system data using both the building control system and portable data logging equipment.
- Execution of Tasks
- Evaluate and submit documentation for LEED, WELL Building, and other certifications related to green buildings, renewable energy, and sustainability.
- Diagnose, analyze, troubleshoot, and solve complex building system problems with assistance from Senior Staff members.
- Prioritize work effectively.
- Communicate directly with the construction team and building owners in a professional manner.
- Professional Development
- Current or ability to obtain a Professional Commissioning Certification
- Receives guidance from Senior Engineers to improve performance capacity.
- Seeks out and applies new information and processes from external sources.
Requirements
- Minimum Education: bachelor’s degree in an accredited and related 4-year Engineering program. Engineering work background, minimum 4-7+ years of experience.
- Previous commissioning, design, construction, or facilities field experience preferred.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook to perform project-related office functions.
- Ability to provide clear and well-written memorandums, emails, and reports to clients (building owners, architects, engineers) regarding project-specific system performance and energy-efficiency evaluations.
- Adaptability to work on a flexible schedule as needed.
- Willingness to travel, occasionally overnight, up to 20% per year.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- E.I.T. or P.E. preferred.
- Previous Construction, Facilities Management, Commissioning, or Quality Assurance work experience
- Specialty skills and/or certifications in systems such as LEED AP, CEM, CBCP, etc.
- Knowledge of building codes, design guidelines, and industry construction standards
Personal Qualities, Other Skills/Abilities
- Ability to multi-task by working on multiple overlapping projects.
- Motivated self-starter and fast learner committed to on-the-job training and personal self-development through continuing education.