Mechanical Associate Director

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title: Mechanical Associate Director

Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States

JOB SUMMARY

The Mechanical Associate Director is a key leadership role within DLB’s Design Department.  This position owns the systems that power the department’s growth:  staffing and capacity planning, partner / outsourcing management (onshore and offshore), and talent onboarding and development.  The Director closes gaps between recruiting, project / program staffing, and Day 1 productivity, while proactively building policies, dashboards, and playbooks that scale.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of people, process, and operations.  As both a strategic leader and tactical operator, you will be accountable for ensuring staffing visibility, cultivating strong partner networks, and creating best-in-class onboarding and development experiences that accelerate productivity across the Design Department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Lead/Direct Mechanical Design Activities and Technical Development (≤50%)

• Associate Director may be involved in schematic and conceptual designs as part of introduction / development of new projects or programs within the department.
• Independently perform and / or direct advanced Mechanical engineering design and calculations.
• Perform QAQC peer reviews for projects and programs where he or she is (or is not) the lead engineer.
• Act as department level Engineer of Record (EoR) for projects and programs where he or she is (or is not) the lead engineer.
• Mentor members of the Mechanical design team and assist with training and development to foster a learning environment.
• Oversee organizational training and standards development for the Mechanical team.
• Utilize AutoCAD and Revit software to prepare drawings and visual aids if needed / applicable.
• Review and / or prepare book or sheet specifications

Organizational Development and Continuous Improvement of Policies and Procedures (≥25%)

• Lead strategic planning for the Mechanical engineering team, with Design Directors in the consult / inform position.
• Lead hiring processes for Mechanical engineering team, with Design Directors in the consult / inform position.
• Assist Directors in making informed decisions on significant operational matters at the department level.
• Assist Directors in shaping and enforcing company-wide policies, ensuring they align with immediate operations and broader organizational goals.
• Ensure efficient allocation and utilization of resources, including budgets, within purview to meet departmental requirements and strategic objectives.
• Oversee specific functional areas, managing planning, staffing, and budgeting processes.
• Guide and support teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Assist in developing strategies to attract, develop, and retain a competent and diverse team.
• Timely and effective management of the Mechanical team including resource forecasting, performance management and coordination

Management and Leadership (≥25%)

• Provide mentorship and coaching to staff to help them grow professionally and achieve their goals and to create a learning and growing environment
• Manage or lead strategic initiatives for the Mechanical department including new efforts or groups/teams.
• Contribute to organizational training and standards development
• Communicate the company / department goals and objectives to staff and ensure that they are aligned with the company's overall strategy
• Promote a culture of operational excellence, customer intimacy and service leadership within the organization
• Develop, modify and execute company policies that affect immediate operations and may have a company-wide effect
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior management to gather relevant data, insights and perspectives to support strategic planning and decision-making processes to ensure operational excellence
• Ensure that budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements are established and adhered to
• Continuously evaluate the performance of direct reports and staff by providing feedback when needed, as well as in 1:1s, performance reviews and coaching / counseling to improve performance
• Monitor operations to ensure that they are conducted in compliance with company policies and regulations
• Identify areas for process improvement or innovation within the organization, leveraging data analysis to measure the effectiveness of implemented strategies and policies, making adjustments as needed to optimize performance
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to senior management for informed decision-making for resource planning and allocation needs to support company objectives
• Participate in/Lead hiring and onboarding of new staff to ensure culture, values and core convictions are reinforced

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED LEVEL FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING)

• Knowledge of organizational objectives and how they relate to company policies
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial management principles
• Skilled at utilizing data visualization tools and techniques to present complex data in an easily understandable format for stakeholders and senior management
• Strong leadership skills to motivate subordinates and ensure that they are performing at their best
• Strong tactical decision-making skills to handle unforeseen issues that arise during the course of operations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with senior management, subordinates, and other stakeholders
• Ability to establish operational objectives and work plans, and delegate assignments to subordinates
• Skilled at producing drawings and visual aids using AutoCAD and / or Revit
• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management
• Skilled in performing and analyzing Mechanical calculations, topologies and Code requirements.
• Skilled in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail
• Ability to work successfully in a remote environment thru effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace
• Ability to follow company and site safety requirements
• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports and correspondence
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form (technical and non-technical information)
• Ability to communicate effectively directly with clients and at times serve as primary point of client contact
• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines
• Ability to effectively plan and delegate the work of others
• Organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position.
• Frequently moving through office, facility, and other environments.
• On occasion, may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Approximately 15% travel to client sites, partner offices, or company events across the U.S.
• Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meeting for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• B.A. / B.S. degree in relevant fields including Operations, Business, Engineering, or related disciplines.

PLUS

• Minimum of fifteen years of experience in related field.
  
  
• Internal Applicant Eligibility:
  To be considered for this opportunity, internal candidates must currently hold:
• • A Level 5 or higher position
  • Have a minimum of 2+ years of experience in a leadership or management level position, with a demonstrated record of people leadership within DLB
  • Meet the minimum technical and professional requirements outlines above
  • Applicants not meeting these criteria are encouraged to continue developing through their current role and discuss a future path to leadership with their manager

Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​

​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.