Mechanical Engineer IV, Refrigeration

About the role

Provides senior-level mechanical, HVAC, and refrigeration engineering expertise for the planning, design, and delivery of building and industrial systems. Responsible for developing mechanical and refrigeration system concepts, engineering calculations, equipment selections, construction documents, specifications, and construction support deliverables for commercial, institutional, industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, cold storage, and related facilities.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Direction
  • Perform work with limited supervision, exercising independent judgment on complex engineering assignments and technical decisions.
  • Apply advanced mechanical, HVAC, and refrigeration engineering principles, standards, and industry best practices.
  • Serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert for mechanical and refrigeration systems.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers.
  • Review and approve engineering calculations, designs, specifications, and technical documentation for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
  • Promote engineering excellence, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Operational and Company Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including process, mechanical, electrical, structural, architectural, plumbing, fire protection, controls, and automation disciplines.
  • Interface directly with clients, contractors, equipment vendors, commissioning agents, and regulatory authorities.
  • Support project planning activities including scope development, schedules, budgets, staffing requirements, and resource forecasting.
  • Contribute to proposal development, fee estimates, client presentations, and business development initiatives.
  • Support strategic growth of the mechanical and refrigeration engineering practice.
  • Identify technical risks, constructability concerns, scope changes, and project impacts related to cost, schedule, operations, and safety.
• Engineering and Design Responsibilities
  • Mechanical and HVAC Systems
    • Lead mechanical and HVAC system design for commercial, institutional, industrial, government, academic, research, manufacturing, and multi-family projects.
    • Prepare and review engineering calculations, load analyses, equipment sizing, energy evaluations, and technical reports.
    • Design and specify HVAC systems including air handling units, chillers, boilers, pumps, heat recovery systems, ventilation systems, and associated controls.
    • Develop mechanical drawings, BIM models, specifications, schedules, and construction documents using AutoCAD, Revit, and related software.
    • Evaluate design alternatives and recommend effective, cost-efficient engineering solutions.
  • Refrigeration Systems
    • Lead refrigeration engineering and design for food and beverage production, cold storage, refrigerated distribution, process cooling, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.
    • Develop refrigeration design criteria, basis-of-design narratives, load calculations, system evaluations, and equipment selections.
    • Design and specify refrigeration systems including: Compressors, Evaporators, Condensers, Pumps, Heat exchangers, Vessels, Valve groups, Refrigerant and hydronic piping systems, Controls interfaces, Insulation systems.
    • Support and design systems utilizing: Ammonia refrigeration, CO₂ refrigeration, Glycol systems, Chilled water systems, HFC/HFO refrigerants, Cascade systems, Packaged refrigeration systems, Hybrid refrigeration/process cooling systems.
    • Evaluate existing refrigeration systems for capacity, reliability, maintainability, energy performance, safety, code compliance, and future expansion capability.
    • Develop and review refrigeration flow diagrams, P&IDs, piping plans, equipment layouts, technical specifications, and construction documents.
• Construction and Project Support
  • Participate in QA/QC reviews and implement revisions as required.
  • Assist with construction administration activities including: Shop drawing reviews, Equipment submittals, RFIs, Change order evaluations, Bid reviews, Vendor proposal evaluations.
  • Conduct site visits to document existing conditions, verify design implementation, observe construction progress, and support issue resolution.
  • Support commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
  • Aid in developing probable construction cost estimates and engineering effort estimates.
• Technical Excellence
  • Maintain current knowledge of applicable mechanical, refrigeration, energy, and safety codes and standards.
  • Apply refrigeration safety principles including: Relief systems, Ventilation systems, Leak detection systems, Emergency shutdown controls, Machinery room requirements, Hazardous material considerations.
  • Effectively communicate technical concepts and recommendations to clients, contractors, and project stakeholders.
  • Promote practical solutions focused on safety, constructability, maintainability, energy efficiency, and operational reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Eight or more (8+) years of relevant mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, industrial utility, process cooling, or consulting engineering experience.
• Experience with design and construction support for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, cold storage, refrigerated warehouse, institutional, or similar facilities.
• Experience developing: Mechanical and refrigeration calculations, Equipment selections, Piping layouts, HVAC and refrigeration plans, P&IDs, Technical specifications, Construction documents, Construction-phase deliverables.
• Working knowledge of applicable mechanical, refrigeration, energy, and building codes and industry standards.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Microsoft Office, and engineering calculation/modeling tools.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license; Mechanical PE strongly preferred.
• Experience with ammonia refrigeration, CO₂ refrigeration, glycol systems, chilled water systems, industrial HVAC/R, and process cooling applications.
• Experience with software such as CHVAC/RHVAC, Trane Trace, eQuest, refrigeration selection software, and hydraulic calculation tools.
• Experience with food and beverage, cold storage, manufacturing, or industrial facility design.
• Experience with commissioning and startup support.

About Bowman

Bowman is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a safe, healthy, and productive environment for our employees and clients. Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and professional development support, discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts. Physical demands and working environment details are provided in the job description.