Assistant Vice President, Mechanical Engineer

Assistant Vice President, Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX, United States

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Job Description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Assistant Vice President, Mechanical Engineer to join our Property & Buildings team in Houston, TX.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and licensed Mechanical Engineer to provide technical, project, and client leadership for complex Science & Technology facilities. The successful candidate will lead the planning and design of high-performance mechanical systems for research laboratories, life sciences and biotechnology facilities, pharmaceutical environments, cleanrooms, higher education research buildings, advanced manufacturing facilities, and other technology-driven projects.

In this role, you will serve as a senior technical advisor to clients and multidisciplinary project teams while helping grow WSP’s Science & Technology presence in Houston and the surrounding region. You will guide projects from early planning and concept development through design, construction administration, commissioning, and final closeout.

Be involved in projects with our Property & Buildings Team and be part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their most complex challenges.

Your Impact

Technical Leadership and Project Delivery

• Provide senior-level technical leadership for the planning, design, and construction administration of mechanical systems for complex Science & Technology projects.
• Lead the design of HVAC, hydronic, central utility, process exhaust, laboratory ventilation, heat recovery, temperature-control, and specialty mechanical systems.
• Develop mechanical design strategies, basis-of-design narratives, system concepts, equipment selections, and operating sequences aligned with client requirements.
• Serve as Engineer of Record, discipline lead, or senior technical reviewer on applicable projects.
• Apply advanced mechanical engineering principles throughout concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and facility operation.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of systems for laboratories, controlled environments, cleanrooms, pharmaceutical spaces, biotechnology facilities, and advanced manufacturing environments.
• Oversee heating and cooling load calculations, ventilation analyses, equipment sizing, energy studies, system modeling, and lifecycle evaluations.
• Guide the integration of laboratory airflow, pressurization, environmental control, redundancy, resilience, and equipment heat-load requirements into mechanical designs.
• Coordinate mechanical systems with architectural, electrical, plumbing, structural, fire protection, controls, process, and specialty disciplines.
• Direct technical reviews and resolve complex design, coordination, constructability, and operational challenges.
• Lead QA/QC reviews and ensure project deliverables comply with WSP standards, contractual requirements, applicable codes, and accepted engineering practices.
• Prepare and review engineering calculations, studies, reports, specifications, cost estimates, construction documents, and technical presentations.

Project and Financial Leadership

• Lead large, complex, and multidisciplinary projects while establishing clear responsibilities, schedules, milestones, and technical expectations.
• Manage mechanical engineering scope, fees, schedules, staffing plans, budgets, quality, and project risk.
• Monitor project hours, expenses, progress, profitability, and deliverable status.
• Identify scope changes, project risks, staffing challenges, and corrective actions before they affect project delivery.
• Coordinate the work of engineers, designers, BIM professionals, subconsultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Support project managers with work planning, resource forecasting, contract administration, and change management.
• Participate in site investigations, owner meetings, design workshops, construction observations, commissioning activities, and project closeout.
• Provide leadership during technical negotiations, constructability discussions, value analysis, and issue resolution.

Client Leadership and Business Development

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to Science & Technology clients, architects, developers, contractors, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while supporting long-term account growth and repeat business.
• Participate in client meetings, project interviews, presentations, workshops, and strategic planning activities.
• Support pursuit strategies, proposal development, technical narratives, scope definition, fee development, and contract negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and connect clients with WSP’s broader Property & Buildings capabilities.
• Develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in Houston and the broader Texas Science & Technology market.
• Assist with pipeline development and the long-term growth strategy for Science & Technology work.
• Represent WSP through relevant professional organizations, technical forums, and industry events.

People and Practice Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop mechanical engineers, designers, and other technical professionals.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and career-development support to early-career and mid-level staff.
• Delegate work effectively and establish clear expectations for quality, schedule, and accountability.
• Build collaborative, high-performing project teams across offices and disciplines.
• Support workforce planning, workload forecasting, recruiting, onboarding, and retention efforts.
• Encourage knowledge sharing, innovation, professional licensure, and continued technical development.
• Contribute to regional and national Science & Technology initiatives, technical communities, standards development, and lessons learned.
• Foster an inclusive culture centered on collaboration, accountability, safety, technical excellence, and client service.

Innovation and Future-Ready Design

• Promote high-performance mechanical design, energy efficiency, electrification, decarbonization, heat recovery, resilience, and sustainable building strategies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, digital design tools, controls strategies, and advanced mechanical systems.
• Support adaptable and future-ready facilities that respond to changing research, manufacturing, and operational requirements.
• Remain current with evolving mechanical codes, laboratory standards, industry practices, and Science & Technology market trends.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct while adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant post-education experience in mechanical engineering and building systems design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, with the ability to obtain Texas licensure if not currently held.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex mechanical engineering projects and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Significant experience designing HVAC and mechanical systems for laboratories, life sciences, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, higher education research, healthcare, or other technically complex facilities.
• Advanced knowledge of HVAC systems, air distribution, hydronic systems, laboratory ventilation, controls, equipment selection, and mechanical system integration.
• Strong knowledge of applicable mechanical, energy, building, fire, and life-safety codes and standards.
• Experience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, quality, and technical risk.
• Experience preparing and reviewing calculations, technical reports, specifications, studies, and construction documents.
• Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, HVAC load-calculation software, and related mechanical engineering tools.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary coordination and BIM-based project delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong client relationship, presentation, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while providing direction and leadership to project teams.
• Proven commitment to quality, workplace safety, ethical conduct, and professional responsibility.
• Ability to travel occasionally based on client and project requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Active Professional Engineer license in Texas.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record on large or complex building projects.
• Established relationships within Houston or the broader Texas