Associate Principal Mechanical Engineer

The 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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