Int. Mechanical Designer

TO APPLY for a job listing, send your cover letter, CV, and portfolio to ***email_hidden*** with "APPLICATION: [Job Title]" in the subject line.

Who we are

FirstLight Energy Solutions is a boutique engineering firm on a big mission to restore the environment by decarbonizing the building sector—from large healthcare facilities, recreational facilities, and schools to commercial and residential buildings. We are a high-performance engineering team with extensive energy and mechanical retrofit experience and a reputation for transforming complex problems into elegant and practical solutions.

FirstLight is headquartered in Vancouver, BC on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

We’re looking for an Intermediate Mechanical Designer to join our team of designers and engineers.

What you’ll get up to

• HVAC & Control System Design: You will lead the design of energy and decarbonization retrofits of existing HVAC and control systems, with oversight from senior team members. Design work focuses heavily on hydronic-based heating and cooling systems, heat recovery systems, and controls optimization. You will also guide and review the work of junior designers.
• Design Calculations & Equipment Selection: As part of the design process, you will independently complete a variety of engineering calculations and select equipment for retrofit projects. You will verify the work of others and ensure calculations align with project requirements and industry standards.
• Drawing Preparation: You will use AutoCAD to prepare and oversee the preparation of contract drawings to document designs. This includes setting AutoCAD drawing files, ensuring FirstLight AutoCAD standards are being followed, maintaining AutoCAD files throughout the design process, and mentoring junior team members on drafting best practices.
• Site Reviews: You will lead site visits to review existing conditions and the progress of design projects during construction, occasionally accompanied by more junior team members. You will document findings, identify issues, and communicate recommendations to the project team and clients.
• Assist with Energy & Decarbonization Studies: You will support our Energy & Emissions Specialists/Planners with a wide range of energy and decarbonization studies, including visiting building sites, documenting retrofit concepts, contributing to reports and presentations, and reviewing the work of junior staff.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have the following qualities:

• High accountability: You are self-driven. You follow up and follow through often without being asked. If challenges arise, you bring possible solutions to the table.
• First-principles problem-solving: You’re energized by complex and challenging problems. You have an analytical and logical mind and can break down large problems into smaller ones. You’re iterative, persistent, resourceful, yet structured in your efforts to solve them—for yourself and others.
• Growth mindset: Whether it’s yourself or a project, you’re not satisfied with “good enough”. And nothing that needs improvement is just someone else’s job. You love to experiment, drive improvement, and foster growth in yourself and in a team.
• People-centered: You’re collaborative, optimistic, and demonstrate kindness and empathy in all interactions. You also lead by example. You’re humble and curious, generous with your time, and meticulous with your work. You can tactfully present your opinions and welcome others to challenge them.
• Pro-active, clear communication: You know when communication is necessary or enhances performance and collaboration. And when you do communicate, whether orally or written, it’s clear and appropriately concise. You’re comfortable using multiple methods to collaborate and communicate results and insights.

It could be an even better fit if you have:

• Engineering credentials: A degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation through EGBC, or eligibility for registration. You have 3–5 years of relevant experience in mechanical design, preferably with a focus on HVAC and building energy retrofits.
• Technical experience: Hands-on experience designing HVAC systems, completing engineering calculations, and preparing mechanical drawings. Familiarity with hydronic systems, heat recovery, and controls optimization is a strong asset. Proficiency in AutoCAD, HAP, and Bluebeam is preferred.
• Startup hustle: You are highly motivated, proactive, comfortable with change and ambiguity. You have a humble, team-player attitude and are ready to pitch in wherever you are needed most. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and take initiative to improve processes and outcomes.

What we offer

• Our team works 37.5 hours per week
• The salary band for this role is $76,000-$98,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Extended health benefits, including dental and vision
• 3% RRSP matching
• 3 weeks paid vacation to start
• Flexible, hybrid work environment and a Home Office Setup stipend.
• Your professional membership costs will be covered, whether ASHRAE, EGBC, ASTTBC, CEM, or other industry-relevant memberships.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on carbon reduction and climate resilience.

We embrace diversity and equity in a serious way. We’re committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and views. We welcome team members and applicants of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, beliefs or dis-belief, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversity, ability statuses, or any other aspects which make you who you are.

At FirstLight, we know that everyone has a unique career path, and experience comes in many forms. If you’re unsure you meet the qualifications outlined above but still think this might be a great fit, please apply.

Applicants must already be eligible to work in Canada.

TO APPLY for a job listing, send your cover letter, CV, and portfolio to ***email_hidden*** with "APPLICATION: [Job Title]" in the subject line.