Senior Mechanical Engineer - District Utilities

Senior Mechanical Engineer – District Utilities

Wiley|Wilson, a 100% employee‑owned architecture and engineering firm, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in district utilities to join our team in Richmond, VA. The role focuses on expanding our district energy portfolio, serving long‑standing clients and new partnerships.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on district heating and cooling utilities, you will lead the planning, design, analysis, and implementation of district utility projects, oversee designs, ensure performance and reliability, and mentor junior engineers. You will work on central plant and distribution system projects in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

• Lead the planning and design of district thermal utility systems such as heating water, chilled water, and steam.
• Support business development efforts in the district utility market.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis, perform life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), and troubleshoot complex design challenges.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate mechanical systems into broader infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Support field investigations and system assessments to ensure designs meet real‑world conditions and client requirements.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure high standards of quality, innovation, and performance.
• Participate in construction administration.

• Minimum of 10 years of specialized experience with district thermal utility systems, including generation and distribution systems.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program.
• Strong leadership and project‑management skills.
• Eligibility to work in the United States and ability to obtain a security clearance.

• Master Planning experience
• Higher education design experience
• Federal government design experience
• Geothermal / ambient loop design experience
• LEED accreditation

Competitive salary, employee ownership via an ESOP program, work‑from‑home flexibility, comprehensive benefits including multiple group health insurance options, a 401(k) with up to 6% match, 24 days of paid time off, five paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and other perks.

Inclusion benefits include 80 hours of parental leave for birth or adoption, a hybrid work schedule, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities when travel is required.

Wiley|Wilson is a full‑service architecture‑engineering firm that builds innovative design solutions for government, institutional, and private‑sector clients worldwide. As a 100‑percent employee‑owned company, 190+ employees share in our success through an ESOP, creating a culture of shared ownership, service, and professional growth.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds, including disability and veteran status. The workplace is drug free.