Principal Engineer
Remote · Durham, North Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Principal Mechanical Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for mechanical systems across PowerSecure, providing engineering leadership, mentorship, and oversight on complex mechanical system designs including chilled water plants, hydronic systems, HVAC distribution, and thermal energy systems. Leads energy efficiency and energy production projects (energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy systems, distributed energy installations). Manages engineering studies, analyses, and project development from pre-contract through customer turnover; oversees site investigations, savings calculations, cost estimates, reports, and design-build execution. Requires extensive experience with mechanical and electrical systems in buildings, cross-disciplinary coordination, senior-level technical leadership, and ability to communicate with executives and customers. Travel to customer facilities and remote work across time zones accepted.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or another qualified technical field
- 15+ years of experience with similar project work
- Advanced proficiency in mechanical system modeling, optimization, and performance analysis for complex building and industrial systems
- Experience developing engineering standards, best practices, and technical procedures for organizational adoption
- Experience with energy engineering, including conducting engineering studies, analyzing energy consuming systems, and writing technical reports
- Experience with development and implementation of facility infrastructure projects
- Strong capability to mentor, coach, and technically develop junior and mid-level engineers
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred (or ability to obtain)
- Expert-level knowledge of advanced mechanical system design including chilled water plants, hydronic systems, complex HVAC architectures, and thermal energy systems
- Extensive knowledge of utility billing for electric, natural gas, water, and other infrastructure systems
- Extensive knowledge of facility electrical systems and equipment
- Extensive knowledge of engineering analysis methods for analyzing energy consumption of mechanical and electrical systems in buildings
- Extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry codes, and standards (ASHRAE, NFPA, building codes) relevant to mechanical system design and construction
- Ability to develop, implement, and refine engineering standards, specifications, and best-practice guidelines for organizational use
- Knowledge of methods for measurement and verification (M&V) for energy efficiency projects
- Proficient in the Microsoft 365 suite—including Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Teams—with additional capability to effectively use business software tools such as AutoCAD, SharePoint, Power BI, and Bluebeam Revu
- Excellent organizational skills and experience with managing and coordinating projects
- High-level ability to engage with executives, customers, and stakeholders, conveying complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively
- Able to travel to customer facilities to conduct building surveys
- Job Duties and Responsibilities: Candidate shall have extensive experience with development and implementation of mechanical and electrical system projects in customer facilities
- Responsibilities include site investigations, analyzing energy use, finalizing savings calculations, finalizing cost estimates and written reports
- Engineering leadership and oversight, senior-level technical leadership and oversight, cross-disciplinary coordination
- Represent engineering leadership in customer meetings, cross functional coordination sessions, and executive level discussions
- Coordinate mechanical engineering integration with electrical, controls, and construction teams
- Provide senior level technical oversight, review, and approval of mechanical engineering deliverables across multiple projects
- Support sales team as required with customer interactions
- Lead and oversee the design engineering process for both new project development initiatives and projects progressing through full design and construction
- Prepare and finalize reports and other documentation required for project work
- Comply with safety requirements in the workplace and at customer sites
- Working Conditions: This position is remote
- Travel required to customer facilities to conduct field surveys as needed
- Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate different time zones
- PowerSecure is an equal opportunity employer
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