Senior HVAC Project Engineer – Commercial / Industrial Systems (BSME / PE)
Top Echelon Network (recruiter member boards)
Appleton, WI · Posted October 14, 2026
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Where Appleton, WI ranks
Where Appleton, WI placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #4Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest22% · of 54
- #4Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes22% · of 39
- #5Best college towns for junior jobs in the Great Lakes43% · of 39
- #6Best college towns for junior jobs in the Midwest43% · of 51
- #7Best cities for junior jobs in the Great Lakes41% · of 53
- #8Best cities for junior jobs in the Midwest41% · of 69
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Senior HVAC Project Engineer – Commercial / Industrial Systems (BSME / PE)
$120,000 – $160,000/yr • Fox Valley / Northeast WI Area • Flexible 1st Shift • Direct-Hire
Pay & Incentives: Base salary up to $160,000/yr depending on experience + full corporate benefits package, with clear advancement pathways to Lead Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Management.
Work Pattern/Schedule: Flexible 1st-shift schedule (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM core window) averaging 40–45 hours per week with minimal overtime.
Environment & Company Profile: Direct-hire seat with a debt-free, financially independent industry leader boasting a 7 to 10-year average employee tenure and a collaborative, employee-centered culture.
Core Functional Scope: High-visibility role blending technical HVAC system engineering (load calculations, boiler/chiller plant design, piping/air distribution) with direct client consultation, proposal drafting, and bid support.
Strict Requirements & Authorization: Requires BSME, PE, or Licensed HVAC Designer status, 3+ years of commercial/industrial HVAC design depth, US work authorization, and ability to execute site visits within ~1 hour of Fox Valley, WI.
If you are a Mechanical Engineer or HVAC Design Engineer who thrives on active client collaboration, this direct-hire seat is tailored for your career growth. Our client is a financially independent, debt-free leader specializing in complex industrial refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, and custom metal fabrication systems.
Reporting directly to the Director of Business Development, you will serve as a key technical liaison—working alongside sales, estimating, and fabrication teams to engineer custom HVAC solutions while building lasting client relationships. Stepping away from isolated drafting screens, this high-visibility position offers executive exposure, excellent work-life balance, and structured career advancement within a premier regional contractor.
What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)
Scope & Feasibility Analysis: Analyze customer inquiries and site requirements to determine project scope, conduct feasibility assessments, and propose custom technical HVAC solutions.
System Engineering & Design: Design high-performance HVAC systems for commercial and industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants, laboratories, corporate offices, and warehouses.
Engineering Calculations: Execute load calculations, air distribution sizing, boiler/chiller plant design, pump and piping layouts, and steam routing.
Bid Support & Modeling: Develop schematic designs and CAD/Revit models during the bidding phase to help estimating teams establish precise labor and material costs.
Client Presentation & Scope Drafting: Draft technical proposal letters and present engineering concepts directly to building owners, general contractors, and plant managers.
Plan Review & Compliance: Coordinate construction drawings and arrange state/local plan reviews, ensuring full compliance with regional mechanical and energy codes.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)
Education & Professional Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Registered Professional Engineer (PE), or a State-Licensed HVAC Designer.
Industry Experience: 3+ years of hands-on commercial/industrial HVAC design experience, ideally developed within a fast-paced mechanical contractor setting.
Software Fluency: Proficiency using AutoCAD, Revit, specialized HVAC load calculation software, and Excel.
Client-Facing Presence: Outstanding presentation skills and comfort collaborating directly with project executives, facility managers, and vendor partners.
Site Mobility: Valid driver's license and ability to execute site walkthroughs (climbing ladders, accessing mechanical spaces) within ~1 hour of the Fox Valley area.
Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)
Mechanical Contractor Background: Prior experience working directly for an industrial or commercial mechanical contracting firm.
Industry Certifications: Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or LEED AP accreditation.
Cross-Functional Knowledge: Familiarity with industrial ventilation, steam systems, heavy ammonia refrigeration, or commercial plumbing codes.