Project Manager / Senior Project Manager — Mechanical HVAC (Central Utility Plant)

About the role

The Project Manager / Project Manager leads large-scale HVAC mechanical construction projects within a major airport environment, with a strong focus on Central Utility Plant (CUP) systems and chilled water infrastructure. The role combines a strong field presence with strategic oversight, offering significant visibility, long-term project continuity, and the opportunity to contribute within a collaborative, employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale HVAC and mechanical construction projects valued at $25M+ within an airport infrastructure environment.
• Manage Central Utility Plant (CUP) systems, including chilled water systems, chiller plants, and related plant systems, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
• Own project P&L, including budgeting, cost control, forecasting, and financial reporting to ensure projects meet profitability targets.
• Prepare, negotiate, and manage change orders, ensuring accurate documentation and timely approval in alignment with contract requirements.
• Cookordination and oversee union labor, particularly sheet metal and other mechanical trades, ensuring effective field execution and compliance with union requirements.
• Drive project execution across field operations, engineering teams, subcontractors, and stakeholders to meet schedule, budget, safety, and quality goals.
• Review and interpret contract drawings, specifications, RFIs, and design documents to ensure accurate scope understanding and constructability.
• Collaborate with project engineering and construction management teams to align design intent with field installation and commissioning activities.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage milestones and critical path activities.
• Utilize construction technology tools such as Autodesk Build/ACC Build, Navisworks, Revit, and Bluebeam for coordination, documentation, and project control.
• Lead project meetings with owners, consultants, subcontractors, and internal teams, providing clear communication on progress, risks, and action plans.
• Identify and resolve conflicts and field issues proactively, working with design and construction teams to implement practical solutions.
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, codes, standards, and company procedures across all project activities.
• Maintain a strong field presence by regularly visiting job sites, inspecting work, monitoring safety and quality, and supporting field leadership.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, implementing organizational systems and processes to track deliverables and performance metrics.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project managers, project engineers, and field teams, fostering a collaborative, low-ego culture.
• Cookordinate closely with superintendents and field staff to align manpower, equipment, and materials with project schedules and priorities.
• Prepare and present project status updates, financial reports, and performance summaries to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Support design-build project environments by collaborating with designers, engineers, and trade partners to optimize mechanical solutions.
• Travel between multiple airport terminals and project sites as needed to support active projects and stakeholder coordination.
• Maintain required documentation, including RFIs, submittals, change logs, meeting minutes, and close-out packages in accordance with company standards.

  Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience leading large-scale HVAC mechanical construction projects valued at $25M+.
  • Central Utility Plant (CUP) experience, including management of chiller plants, chilled water systems, and plant systems (required).
  • Mechanical subcontractor project management experience, rather than general contractor-only experience (required).
  • Proven ownership of project P&L, including budgets, financial controls, and change order management.
  • Experience coordinating and managing union labor, with sheet metal union experience strongly preferred.
  • Strong understanding of construction and engineering design concepts related to mechanical and HVAC systems.
  • Extensive knowledge of construction costs, scheduling, estimating, engineering principles, mechanical systems, and accounting systems.
  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting contract drawings, specifications, and related construction documents.
  • Project management experience in commercial or industrial mechanical construction environments.
  • Able to manage RFIs, project engineering workflows, and construction documentation processes.
  • Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with owners, engineers, field staff, and executives.
  • Prior experience managing union labor environments across mechanical trades.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management (preferred).
  • Construction Management degree or equivalent education in a related field.
  • Experience delivering airport or large infrastructure projects.
  • History of long tenure at prior companies, demonstrating stability and commitment.
  • Leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, low ego, and a field-driven mindset.
  • Openness to relocation for the right long-term opportunity.
  • Strong HVAC with adjacent large-scale project experience, even if not exclusively airport-focused.

  Skills

  • Strong understanding of construction and engineering design concepts related to mechanical and HVAC systems.
  • Extensive knowledge of construction costs, scheduling, estimating, engineering principles, mechanical systems, and accounting systems.
  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting contract drawings, specifications, and related construction documents.
  • Project management experience in commercial or industrial mechanical construction environments.
  • Able to manage RFIs, project engineering workflows, and construction documentation processes.
  • Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with owners, engineers, field staff, and executives.
  • Prior experience managing union labor environments across mechanical trades.

  Benefits

  Murray Company offers a comprehensive benefits package anchored by a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and profit-sharing. Key perks for Southern California employees include 100% company-paid medical coverage for the employee, subsidized family health plans, dental, vision, life insurance, and a matched 401(k).

  Pay

  The pay range for this position is $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/yr.