Location: Houston, TX
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Salary Range: $147,000 – $190,000 Base Salary
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Engineering / MEP / Building Systems / Healthcare

About the Opportunity

Elite Talent Expert is partnering with a leading global engineering and design organization to identify an accomplished Associate Mechanical Engineering Lead for its Houston, Texas team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Engineer ready to take on a highly visible leadership position combining technical expertise, project leadership, client engagement, team development, and business growth.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience designing complex HVAC and mechanical building systems, with a particularly strong background in healthcare and hospital environments.

This is not solely a technical design position. We are seeking an established engineering professional capable of leading multidisciplinary projects, mentoring engineering teams, developing strong client relationships, and contributing to the continued growth of the Houston practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical engineering design and delivery of complex building projects, with a strong emphasis on healthcare facilities.
• Provide technical leadership for HVAC and mechanical building systems throughout all phases of design and construction.
• Lead the design and analysis of airside HVAC systems, heating and cooling hydronic systems, central plant systems, specialty exhaust systems, and related mechanical infrastructure.
• Serve as Mechanical Lead and/or Project Manager on multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Coordinate closely with architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, and other engineering disciplines.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, technical quality, and client expectations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, contractors, and project stakeholders.
• Mentor, coach, and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers.
• Participate in the development and growth of the Houston mechanical engineering team.
• Support proposals, presentations, interviews, and other business-development initiatives.
• Contribute to identifying and winning new project opportunities.
• Participate in client negotiations and project planning when required.
• Promote innovative, sustainable, resilient, and high-performance mechanical design solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 12+ years of professional engineering experience.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in the United States.
• Extensive experience in HVAC and mechanical building-systems design.
• Strong experience designing airside HVAC systems and heating/cooling hydronic systems.
• Demonstrated experience working on healthcare facilities, hospitals, inpatient environments, or other complex healthcare projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of applicable mechanical codes, standards, and engineering best practices.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering professionals.
• Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Experience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, and technical deliverables.
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

Highly Desired Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be particularly attractive:

• Academic medical centers
• Inpatient hospitals
• Critical-care environments
• Specialty healthcare facilities
• Central utility plants
• Complex hydronic systems
• Specialty exhaust systems
• High-performance and sustainable building design
• Healthcare facility design standards
• Business development and client relationship management
• Proposal development and project pursuit activities
• Leading or growing mechanical engineering teams

Compensation & Work Environment

Base Salary: $147,000 – $190,000, depending on experience, qualifications, technical expertise, and overall alignment with the position.

The position is based in Houston, Texas and offers a hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility while maintaining regular collaboration with colleagues, clients, and project teams.

A comprehensive benefits package and additional employee programs are also available.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is more than an experienced Mechanical Engineer.

We are looking for someone who has progressed into a trusted technical and project leader — someone comfortable discussing sophisticated HVAC systems with engineers in the morning, leading a client meeting in the afternoon, and mentoring the next generation of engineers along the way.

You may currently hold a title such as:

• Associate / Associate Principal
• Mechanical Engineering Lead
• Senior Mechanical Engineer
• Principal Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Manager
• Healthcare Mechanical Lead
• Senior Mechanical Project Manager
• MEP Mechanical Lead

If you have a strong background in healthcare mechanical engineering, an active PE license, and experience leading people and projects, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to:

• Take a significant leadership role within a respected global engineering environment.
• Work on sophisticated healthcare and institutional projects.
• Influence mechanical engineering strategy and technical direction.
• Lead and mentor talented engineering professionals.
• Build long-term relationships with major clients.
• Participate in the continued growth of the Houston practice.
• Combine hands-on technical leadership with project management and business development.
• Work within a flexible hybrid environment.

Apply Confidentially

Elite Talent Expert welcomes applications from qualified professionals interested in learning more about this opportunity.

All conversations will be handled confidentially.

If you are currently employed and simply interested in understanding the opportunity before deciding whether to pursue it, we welcome an introductory conversation.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply with an updated resume highlighting their mechanical/HVAC design, healthcare project, leadership, and project management experience.

Elite Talent Expert
Connecting exceptional engineering talent with exceptional opportunities.