Design Assistant Jobs in Hamilton, OH (NOW HIRING)

Title: Lead Mechanical Engineer (Fire Protection Focus)

Department: Mechanical

Reports To: Team Leader or Director of Mechanical Engineering

Location: Remote work may be considered for qualified candidates; however, individuals who can participate in our hybrid work arrangement in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area are preferred.

Join a nationally recognized engineering firm where your expertise can make an immediate impact. KLH Engineers is looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer with a fire protection focus to become a key member of our talented and growing team, helping shape innovative projects that serve communities across the country.

I. Summary

Lead Mechanical Engineers with a fire protection focus are strong engineers responsible for developing technical deliverables. This position is responsible for the development of utility service system concept, complete floor plan layouts, isometrics, system calculations and analysis, equipment selection, and equipment and fixture schedules. Responsibilities include assisting with planning, conducting, and evaluating approaches to meet project objectives in a timely, cost-effective fashion.

II. Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Core Function

• Perform engineering tasks and work with engineers and designers to produce projects in design.
• Review Fire Protection designs per QC/QA standards.
• Assist CA representative in reviewing submittals and answering questions from projects in the field.

General

• On time and dependable.
• Completes tasks thoroughly and on time.
• Able to keep accurate records of billable time.
• Able to submit timesheets in timely manner.
• Able to use and understand office equipment technology such as phones, copiers, plotters, scanners and computers.
• Able to use Windows and Microsoft office programs (excel, word, etc.)
• Able to work in team environment.
• Willingness to accept responsibility and accountability.
• Understand and follows company structure.
• Understands and follows department standards and procedures.
•  Understand floor plans, sections, details and basic architectural concepts.
• Proactively communicates concerns, problems, or technical decisions that impact the project.
• Effectively understand technical Fire Protection technical information and theories.
• Able to provide solution-based project ideas.
• Able to provide valued engineering suggestions.
• Able to use conference room equipment to run meetings (video, conference calls, Lync, etc.)
• Able to delegate tasks to support staff.

Fire Protection Engineering

• Able to perform basic fire protection drafting with minimal direction.
• Able to create and print drawings. 
• Able to draft fire protection based on comments and markups.
• Able to draft and digitize fire protection existing conditions.
• Able to draft, digitize, and convert fire protection field notes to CAD.
• Provide lessons learned feedback.
• Identify training topics.
• Assist with fire protection drawing and document template management.
• Understand basic fire protection principals used in design.
• Able to layout basic domestic water, hot water, waste and vent, storm, natural gas, medical gas, and sprinkler head systems.
• Able to use AutoCAD and Revit design software.
• Able to edit simple stick on specifications.
• Assist with RFI review and response.
• Assist with change order review and response.
• Attend Fire Protection department meetings
• Intermediate working knowledge of Fire Protection codes.
• Abe to follow and work with design checklists.
• Able to follow and work with review checklists.
• Capable of small scale project designs (<2000 s.f. / less complex design / toilet room and mop sink)
• Able to coordinate fire protection utilities with municipalities with direction.
• Assist with project field visits.
• Capable of performing drawing revisions.
• Capable of producing drawing sketches.
• Capable of performing peer drawing reviews.
• Participates in company technical trainings.
• Able to provide pump design layout and connections
• Able to layout basic vacuum waste systems.
• Able to layout basic compressed air systems.
• Capable of understanding the intricacies of new, existing, and demolition work and how they relate to each other within the design.
• Assist with job proposal drafts.
• Attend construction meetings.
• Edit complex book specifications.
• Manage submittal reviews and responses.
• Manage RFI reviews and responses.
• Review change orders.
• Possesses a well-established knowledge of multiple Fire Protection codes.
• Able to trouble shoot Fire Protection projects challenges.
• Lead, motivate, and direct Fire Protection support staff team.
• Provide suggestions for possible Fire Protection process improvements.
• Fire Protection code research.
• Assist with Fire Protection feasibility studies.
• Fire Protection project management.
• Attend architectural / client / contractor coordination meetings.
• Perform field surveys and field visits.
• Capable of medium scale project design (2000 s.f. to 10,000 s.f. / medium complexity / multiple toilet rooms, gas fired equipment, kitchen, grease, etc.)
• Able to perform calculations on domestic water, hot water, waste and vent, grease, storm, natural gas, medical gas, compressed air, pumps, and fire protection systems.
• Able to coordinate fire protection utilities with municipalities with NO direction or assistance.
• Work with product sales representatives to perform design, product review, investigation, and research.
• Attend industry meetings and conferences.
•  Fire protection drawings and document template management.
• Capable of specification revisions
• Perform internal MEP coordination
• Perform external MEP coordination
• Able to generate plans review comment response letters.
• Able to generate plans review comment drawing revisions.
• Able to complete permit applications.
• Able to compose a design narrative.
• Able to create fire protection details.
• Capable of performing engineer drawing reviews
• Capable of managing supporting engineers and designers project tasks.
• Able to create job proposals with little or no assistance.

Expectations of all engineers

• Demonstrate acceptance of responsibility; show pride in work performed; demonstrate flexibility in acceptance of assignments and schedules; maintain professional behavior and appearance; exhibit dependability. 

III. Supervisory Responsibilities 

There may be direct supervisory responsibilities associated with this position. Team leaders may assign fire protection engineers, designers or co-ops to be under lead engineer’s supervision.

V. Qualifications

Education 

Bachelor’s Degree (B.S) from a four-year university or equivalent experience is required.   

Professional Engineering license preferred.

LEED AP is preferred

Experience 

5+ years working in an MEP engineering consulting firm on multiple building types.

Experience in healthcare preferred

Communication Skills 

Verbal – Convey easily and quickly any message; Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens attentively and seeks clarification; Maintain professional nonverbal communication analogous to situation 

Written - Writes clearly and informatively with a high level of sophistication; Presents numerical data effectively.

Computer Skills

Basic computing skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Access.

Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit.

VI. Performance Metrics

• Accuracy of completing tasks
• Timeliness of completing tasks
• Willingness to help and go the extra mile
• Positive attitude
• Punctuality
• Consistency in performing and completing tasks
• Ability to gain engineering knowledge and consistently apply it
• Thoroughness and accuracy in completing calculations
• Attention to drafting detail
• Understanding and application of company standards
• Provides departmental process improvement ideas for optimizing efficiency
• Attends department technical meetings
• Provides input to department meetings
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of complex principals of fire protection engineering.
• Creativity of design

About KLH Engineers

Founded in 1955 and nationally ranked among the top engineering firms, KLH Engineers is redefining excellence in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology design. We serve civic, education, healthcare, hospitality, lifestyle, industrial, retail, and workplace markets with a commitment to innovation, transparency, and bold leadership. At KLH, we invite every voice to shape the future, embrace challenges as opportunities, and deliver solutions that matter.