Engineering Lead - HVAC - Building Systems - Director-Level Role

The Opportunity

We are partnering closely with a well-established engineering firm in the Milwaukee area that is looking to strengthen how their Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing teams work together. Today, each discipline performs well individually. The gap is coordination, consistency, and leadership across projects. This role is being created to fix that. You will step in as the senior mechanical voice while helping align teams, improve execution, and bring structure to how projects are delivered.

What You'll Do

• Lead HVAC design on key projects
• Review and guide system design (airside, hydronic, central plant)
• Drive QA/QC and ensure design quality across projects
• Step into complex problems and provide solutions
• Manage projects from concept through construction
• Work directly with clients, architects, and internal teams
• Support proposals, project planning, and backlog visibility
• Influence project strategy, not just execution
• Improve coordination across mechanical, electrical, and plumbing teams
• Mentor junior engineers and elevate overall team capability
• Help create more consistency in how work is delivered
• Act as a central point of alignment across disciplines

Why This Role Is Different

• Real influence on how the engineering team operates
• Direct access to leadership and decision-making
• Diverse project mix across commercial, healthcare, and institutional work
• Opportunity to help shape a team that is still evolving
• Clear path into broader leadership as the group grows
• This is a role where you can build something, not just inherit it

Who This Could Be a Fit For

• Senior Mechanical Engineer ready to step into leadership
• Current Lead Engineer looking for more influence and visibility
• Proven Engineering Leader who still wants to stay close to the technical work
• Experienced HVAC engineer looking for broader impact across projects and teams

What You Bring

• Strong HVAC / MEP design background
• Experience leading projects and guiding technical work
• Broad system knowledge (not limited to one niche)
• Comfortable working directly with clients
• PE license strongly preferred; strong candidates on track or with equivalent experience will be considered

Team Snapshot

• Mechanical: small and growing, relatively junior
• Electrical and Plumbing: established but operating independently
• Total team influenced: ~10–12 engineers
• You will quickly become a go-to resource and leader within the group

Compensation & Support

• Base salary aligned with senior-level engineering leadership roles
• Performance-based bonus
• Long-term growth and leadership opportunity
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate