Mechanical Engineer

Design Collaborative is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our Fort Wayne team. This role is ideal for a mechanical engineer with a strong background in commercial building systems who enjoys collaborating within a multidisciplinary design environment and contributing to high‑performing, people‑first buildings.

At Design Collaborative, comfort, efficiency, and maintainability aren’t buzzwords—they’re essential to creating environments where people thrive. Our engineers value thoughtful design, understand the long‑term impact of their decisions, and work closely with architects, interior designers, and other engineers to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions.

• Design and document HVAC, plumbing, and related building systems for commercial and institutional projects
• Contribute to projects from design through construction administration, ensuring technically sound and well‑coordinated solutions
• Collaborate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and consultants to deliver integrated project outcomes
• Participate in client and project team meetings, offering practical and creative engineering solutions
• Assist with defining project scope, budget, and schedule in coordination with Project Managers
• Conduct field surveys of existing systems and support construction administration through site visits and coordination with contractors
• Prepare engineering calculations, design narratives, and technical documentation
• Apply standard engineering techniques and exercise sound judgment in system selection and design
• Support project quality control reviews at both Design Development and Construction Document phases

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Architectural Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program
• 5+ years of professional experience in commercial building systems design (HVAC and plumbing systems)
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure preferred
• Proficiency in Revit and HVAC/plumbing design and analysis tools (e.g., Trane Trace, energy modeling software)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative, team‑oriented mindset
• Ability to manage priorities, anticipate project needs, and deliver a high‑quality client experience
• Experience mentoring or guiding other engineers is a plus, but not required
• Mechanical engineering design experience in healthcare, higher education, or complex commercial building projects is preferred, but not required.

Design Collaborative is a people‑first firm guided by five core values: people first, don’t be a passenger, love what you do, give back, and have fun. We foster a collaborative, supportive environment where engineers are empowered to contribute, grow, and make an impact.

Founded in 1992, Design Collaborative is a multidisciplinary firm of architects, engineers, interior designers, environmental graphic designers, and project managers. Our integrated studio model encourages collaboration across disciplines, resulting in engaged teams and thoughtful, high‑quality designs that truly improve people’s worlds.

Ready to design high‑performing building systems with a collaborative, people‑first team? We’d love to meet you.