Mechanical Engineer (Engineer IV)

This position includes a $5,000 signing bonus for new county hires.

About the role

Fairfax County’s Facilities Management Department (FMD) is seeking a highly skilled senior mechanical engineer/project manager to lead the development and execution of complex capital and non-capital projects in occupied County facilities. This role provides senior-level leadership under the general direction of the Project Coordinator (Principal Engineer) and/or the Division Director of Design, Engineering, and Construction. The successful candidate will manage large-scale or multiple simultaneous mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and building automation projects that require close coordination across county departments and stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary Fairfax County representative leading design projects and resolving construction issues.
• Establishes project objectives and performance standards to ensure high-quality engineering solutions.
• Performs complex professional engineering work involving the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of HVAC, Building Automation Systems (BAS), and plumbing systems for new construction, renovations, and capital renewal projects.
• Conducts detailed review and analysis of engineering plans, specifications, and code compliance for HVAC and plumbing systems.
• Acts as a subject matter expert within FMD and for multiple County departments and agencies.
• Prepares and reviews mechanical engineering calculations, reports, construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and project budgets.
• Signs and seals engineering work products in accordance with licensure requirements.
• Ensures all assigned projects are completed on time, meet FMD and industry quality standards, and remain financially and operationally efficient.
• Manages complex projects in occupied commercial or institutional environments.
• Leverages a strong technical background, excellence in design, attention to detail, and quality control to perform and review mechanical engineering calculations, reports, construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and budgets for commercial building mechanical, plumbing systems, and building automation systems.

Note: This position is designated as an Essential Employee.

Requirements

• Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architectural field; plus, four years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license is required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Valid Professional Mechanical Engineer License for the state of Virginia. An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption of a maximum of six months pending the Virginia Board for Professional Engineers decision regarding that individual's application for reciprocity.

This position may be eligible for a one-time $5,000 hiring incentive bonus for new county employees, requiring a signed payback agreement.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid professional mechanical engineer license in the state of Virginia.
• Five plus years’ experience as a lead mechanical P.E. responsible for design and sealing of commercial building mechanical and plumbing system projects.
• Three years of experience as a lead mechanical P.E. with design of commercial building automation systems managing commercial building HVAC systems and operations and the design and construction of critical building mechanical and plumbing design and construction projects.
• Experience designing and constructing life cycle mechanical systems and component replacement in occupied mission-critical commercial buildings.
• Strong background in energy management informing, validating, and optimizing commercial building mechanical, automation, and plumbing systems design and operation.
• Experience managing project design contracts.
• Strong contract management skills.
• Strong staff management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb ladders, access tight spaces, crawl, reach, lift 25 lbs, push 25 lbs, etc.
• Ability to work with extended exposure to outside environment including harsh weather as well as inside environments of extreme heat and cold.
• Dexterity to use hand tools.
• Must be able to access facility equipment and equipment rooms.
• Must be able to communicate by phone.
• Must be mobile to access active construction sites.
• Must communicate with others verbally and in writing.
• Must drive a motor vehicle.
• Vision to see detail drawings, construction, and discern color.

All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.