Mechanical Designer

Description

Oakwell is a real estate and infrastructure firm that provides capital, engineering, and project delivery services to hospitals and universities. We engineer in service of the owner's mission — developing sensible, financially sound decarbonization and infrastructure-renewal plans that fit within each owner's financial constraints and campus master plan, and that transform healthcare and higher-education facilities while generating measurable bottom-line impact. Multiple remote opportunities are available.

The Mechanical Designer is responsible for producing high-quality mechanical designs — drawings, calculations, specifications, and models — for renovation and new-construction projects at Oakwell's hospital and university clients. Working under the direction of senior engineers, this person turns engineering strategy into detailed, constructable design documents that meet Oakwell's higher technical standard.

This is a hands-on design role for an engineer who takes pride in the craft of design — sizing and selecting equipment, laying out systems, coordinating across disciplines, and developing complete construction documents for HVAC, hydronic, and plumbing systems in demanding institutional environments.

This position is primarily remote/work-from-home, with regular travel to client sites, primarily in the Boston area (approximately 30%). Preference will be given to candidates located in the New England area and/or willing to relocate. 

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design

• Develop mechanical system designs, load calculations, equipment selections, and layouts for HVAC, hydronic, and plumbing systems.
• Produce scaled drawings and specifications in AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit for the installation and modification of mechanical systems.
• Model systems and coordinate with electrical, plumbing, and structural disciplines to resolve clashes before issuance.

Analysis & Documentation

• Prepare scopes of work, EMS points lists, and sequences of operation to support contractor and vendor pricing.
• Review existing-condition drawings and document facilities and existing MEP systems during site assessments.

Collaboration & Support

• Collaborate with facility staff to gather information on plant operations and system deficiencies.
• Support senior engineers through design development, construction administration, and commissioning.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• High School Diploma + Relevant Post-Graduation Technical Training.
• 5–10 years of mechanical design experience. 
• Experience with HVAC on hospital and/or university projects. 
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit required; competency with Microsoft Office required.
• Familiarity with energy modeling tools (e.g., eQUEST) a plus.
• Experience coordinating with multiple disciplines (i.e., electrical, plumbing, structural, etc.) to remove clashes.
• Demonstrated hands-on design outputs.
• Availability to travel, as needed (approximately 30%).

What Makes You a Great Oakwell Teammate

• Engineering Rigor: you produce detailed, high-quality drawings and specifications and welcome senior review.
• Systems Thinking: you design integrative solutions rooted in existing conditions rather than oversized shortcuts.
• Collaboration Toward Results: You take ownership and demonstrate agency to drive your work forward, and collaborating in a team is second nature to you.

Why You'll Love Working with Us

• Competitive Compensation 
• Medical, dental & vision coverage.
• Company-paid life and short/long-term disability insurance.
• HSA +FSA programs.
• Voluntary accident & critical-illness coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid company holidays, floating holiday, and PTO.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Oakwell is an E-Verify and equal-opportunity employer.