Overview

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting services, supporting U.S. federal, state, municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and private sector clients. The Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA) vertical unites architecture, engineering design, and strategic advisory services to deliver holistic solutions across sectors including industrial, defense, data centers, aerospace, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, aviation, rail and transit, and the federal government.

Integrated Design leverages early involvement of project stakeholders and disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and fire protection (MEP+S+FP) engineering, as well as architecture and planning. The Advisory capabilities span the project life cycle with resilience services, including strategic consulting, planning, cybersecurity, building controls, cost management, commissioning, program management, construction support, building information modeling, digital twins, emergency response, disaster recovery, operational continuity, and energy resiliency.

Michael Baker has a long-standing history of solving complex built environment and critical infrastructure challenges and focuses on high performance buildings, intelligent systems, and critical infrastructure. We pursue large, complex projects for government and private sector clients and expand into new markets.

Description

Join our dynamic Mechanical Engineering team in San Diego as a Technical Manager - a true Seller/Doer role where leadership, innovation, and client impact converge. As part of the Integrated Design and Advisory (IDA) vertical, you’ll shape project outcomes, guide team development, and drive technical excellence across a diverse portfolio of building types including Private Sector, Federal-DoD, Federal-Civilian, and Federal-DoE projects.

In this position, you’ll lead a small team of engineers, supporting their performance, career growth, and day-to-day project execution. You’ll serve as a technical resource for the broader mechanical team, contributing deep expertise in HVAC and plumbing systems to elevate design quality and consistency. As a Seller/Doer, you’ll manage project delivery, collaborate across disciplines, and engage directly with clients, ensuring successful outcomes while helping to grow and strengthen long-term relationships.

Management and Team Development

• Lead staff development through mentorship, goal setting, performance reviews, and career planning, in coordination with HR and senior leadership.
• Deliver targeted training and support professional development activities to foster continuous learning and technical growth.
• Oversee staff utilization and workload management, including scheduling, assignment tracking, and regular one-on-one meetings to support team alignment and performance.
• Support team growth through recruitment activities, including candidate interviews and onboarding.
• Maintain a consistent in-office presence to foster collaboration and team engagement (minimum 3 days/week, Tuesday-Thursday preferred).
• Travel occasionally to support project and team needs.

Technical Expertise & Design Excellence

• Lead and contribute to mechanical engineering design efforts across multiple projects, ensuring technical accuracy, code compliance, and alignment with project goals.
• Prepare and oversee complex studies, calculations, reports, and construction documentation, including specifications and narratives.
• Serve as a technical resource for peers and junior staff, providing guidance on design challenges and engineering standards.
• Perform internal technical reviews (ITRs) to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to project requirements.
• Conduct field surveys and site assessments to inform design decisions and validate system integration.
• Review shop drawings and submittals, respond to RFIs, and support construction-phase services to maintain design intent.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and code developments in HVAC and plumbing engineering to inform best practices and innovation.

Project Lead

• Define scope of work, develop pricing and man-hour estimates, and prepare technical documentation to support proposals and project planning.
• Lead project execution, managing budgets, schedules, and deliverables to ensure alignment with client expectations and internal quality standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to seamlessly integrate mechanical designs with architectural and other engineering systems.
• Participate in client meetings and project discussions, presenting design concepts and making adjustments to meet project goals.
• Ensure client satisfaction through effective project delivery, contributing to high performance scores (e.g., CPARS).

Business Development & Client Engagement

• Present project proposals and updates to clients, clearly communicating technical concepts and project status.
• Maintain and grow relationships with existing clients, ensuring consistent quality and responsiveness to client needs.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities, occasionally contributing to client acquisition and proposal efforts.
• Serve as a technical liaison, helping clients understand design options, constraints, and solutions throughout the project lifecycle.

Professional Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering (Mechanical Focus).
• Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• 7+ years of related professional experience in mechanical building systems design.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC systems and controls design.
• Proficient in HVAC load software such as Trane Trace 700 or Trace 3D, IES VE, or EnergyPro.
• Extensive experience with technical writing, including specifications and narratives.
• Proficient in applicable codes and standards, including IMC, IBC, IPC, ASHRAE, and other mechanical/plumbing design manuals.
• Experience with Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD for mechanical system design and documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and PDF software such as Adobe or Bluebeam.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work efficiently.
• Strong communication skills to interface effectively with internal teams, clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Ability to mentor and supervise junior engineers and provide technical training.
• Availability to occasionally travel to project locations.

Other preferred skills and experience

• Familiarity with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) applicable to mechanical and plumbing engineering
• Department of Defense (DoD) project experience
• Federal Design-Build experience
• Plumbing design experience
• Knowledge of sustainable design practices and green building certifications
• Familiarity with acoustics, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality considerations in mechanical design
• LEED Certification (LEED GA, LEED AP, etc.)

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$150,000. The actual salary offered will be dependent on the preferred candidate\'s experience, expertise, and physical location.

Workplace Flexibility

This is a hybrid position, available in our San Diego, CA, office only.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Commuter and wellness benefits