Associate Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job DetailsLevel: ManagementJob Location: NYNY New York - New York, NY 10001Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeTravel Percentage: Up to 25%Job Category: EngineeringThe Opportunity

PAE is seeking an Associate Principal Mechanical Engineer in our New York office to provide strategic leadership, technical excellence, and operational oversight across complex building projects and firmwide initiatives. This senior role leads multidisciplinary project teams, manages project planning and forecasting tools, and serves as the technical authority for PAE’s mechanical design scope, often acting as Engineer of Record with approval. The Associate Principal plays a key role in securing new work, meeting booking and billing goals, and representing the firm through client presentations, interviews, and industry engagement. In addition to driving project success, this position is deeply involved in firm leadership, contributing to company standards, elevating technical operations, and enforcing the project quality management plan. The role provides mentorship, training, and development for staff while cultivating strong client relationships and guiding business development efforts. Success requires the ability to inspire teams, manage projects profitably, and demonstrate a strong commitment to PAE’s mission and long‑term success. May be assigned Department Head or group leadership responsibilities.

Who We Are

PAE is an engineering and design firm that turns complex challenges into reality. By leveraging the latest technologies, we solve problems in unique ways, and our designs enable buildings and communities to be more resilient and efficient. PAE is trusted by our clients in every aspect of a project's lifespan, from idea to occupancy. We set ambitious goals backed by analysis to significantly conserve water and energy while balancing costs and long-term operational needs. As a B Corp, we measure success by the benefits our projects provide to our clients, our communities, and our planet. We embrace innovation, transparency, sustainability, and lifelong curiosity.

What You'll Do

Project team leadership, management and organization
Create and utilize tools for project planning, forecasting and progress tracking
Technical leadership of PAE’s design scope as Lead Engineer. May be responsible as Engineer of Record (EOR) with approval
Able to secure work to meet billing goals
Active participant in firm leadership and management and engagement in PAEs success
Interview for projects
Effectively communicate design options to a diverse stakeholder group
Develop and maintain client relationships
Lead business development activities and meet booking goals
Present to clients, staff and at industry events
Provide mentorship, training and development for staff
Significant involvement in company standards
Optimize and elevate the technical operations of the company
Enforce the project quality management plan (QMP)
Perform other duties as assigned

What You Bring

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering for discipline work
15+ years of industry experience
Relevant professional credential within discipline (PE, CPD, RCDD, etc.)
Must have significant experience in a management and leadership role
Inspire and motivate staff
Effective leadership and people skills
Lead and manage projects successfully and profitably
Demonstrate commitment to PAE
Project leadership skills including billing, reporting, resource allocation and scheduling
Financial and project management

Microsoft Office Suite

Revit/AutoCAD

What We Offer

Hiring Base Salary Range: $154,400-$223,900 annually

The salary range is one component of PAE’s total compensation package for employees. We take into consideration a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, abilities, experience, education, credentials, internal equity and geographic work location in determining final salary. At PAE, roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases year-end performance bonus, dividend and ownership bonuses. The above range represents PAE's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

In addition, PAE offers a comprehensive management benefits package which includes the following:

Performance Bonus based on the profits of the firm
Opportunity to participate in PAE stock ownership
Estimated year-end dividend
Employer paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
27 days of PTO per year
Annual 401k profit sharing based on company profit for the year
Professional development reimbursements including state registration and professional association dues
Employer paid commuter/parking stipend
Cell phone stipend
Life insurance and disability benefits
Hybrid work schedule

Employee Assistance Program

9 paid holidays including an additional employee-selected day off
Paid time off for sick leave, family leave and community service
To learn more about our comprehensive benefits package, visit https://www.pae-engineers.com/careers/benefits. This information is provided per the Equal Pay Act

Our commitment to pay equity

PAE is a JUST label certified company; we demonstrate JUST label requirements within pay equity. Pay scales should meet or exceed applicable legislated wage requirements and industry standards and compensate, on the same basis, all individuals performing the same or similar work and work of equal value. We are committed to the principle of pay equity – paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. To learn more about pay equity and our commitments to equitable business practices, you may view our JUST label certification here: Living Future: Just Label Certification.

To find out more visit our website.

What We’re Made Of

Founded in 1967, PAE is a leading sustainable engineering and consulting firm on a mission to deliver clean air, energy, and water for all. We specialize in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, building performance analysis, technology design, and lighting design (LUMA). PAE designs some of the nation's highest-performing and most regenerative built environments across the U.S., from Living Buildings to all-electric buildings and beyond. Learn more at pae-engineers.com.

Our portfolio includes over 100 LEED Platinum projects as well as dozens of projects that have either achieved or are pursuing the Living Building Challenge, Passive House, Architecture 2030, Carbon Neutral, Net Zero Energy, and Net Zero Water.

Fine Print

Please note that resumes received from third party recruiters or agencies will not be accepted unless requested directly by PAE Talent Acquisition and with a prior signed fee agreement. If candidates without a previously signed recruiter fee agreement are submitted, PAE reserves the right to engage with and hire those candidate(s) without any obligation financial or otherwise to the recruiter or agency.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at PAE will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities. PAE does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical characteristics historically associated with race, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

PAE will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment including: selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.

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