Chief Mechanical Officer – HVAC and Infrastructure

Job Title: Chief Mechanical Officer – HVAC & Infrastructure

Job Summary:

The Chief Mechanical Officer (CMO) – HVAC & Infrastructure is a senior executive responsible for the overall strategic leadership and technical oversight of mechanical systems supporting HVAC, plant infrastructure, and utility services within a power plant environment. This role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management of mechanical assets including ventilation, chilled water, steam, fuel handling, cooling towers, fire systems, and structural services infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership & Strategy:

• Define and execute mechanical infrastructure strategies aligned with power plant performance, sustainability, and reliability goals.

• Drive the integration of HVAC and mechanical infrastructure across new developments, upgrades, and major retrofits.

• Act as the key decision-maker for mechanical design philosophies, long-term asset management, and capital allocation.

HVAC Systems Oversight:

• Oversee the engineering, installation, maintenance, and optimization of all HVAC systems across control rooms, substations, equipment shelters, and office spaces.

• Ensure compliance with ASHRAE, SMACNA, and local HVAC codes, particularly in high-temperature industrial zones.

• Champion energy-efficient HVAC designs, controls, and predictive maintenance strategies.

Mechanical Infrastructure Governance:

• Manage all mechanical infrastructure systems: compressed air, cooling towers, heat exchangers, fire protection, service water, and mechanical utilities.

• Ensure mechanical systems are aligned with plant reliability and availability targets (RAM programs).

• Provide oversight on piping networks, thermal insulation, rotating machinery, and utility integration.

Project & Capital Development:

• Provide leadership on major infrastructure expansion, HVAC retrofit projects, and BOP (Balance of Plant) upgrades.

• Approve engineering packages, technical evaluations, and vendor submittals for all mechanical disciplines.

• Collaborate closely with EPC contractors, consultants, and OEMs during project execution and commissioning.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with ASME, API, ISO, and NFPA codes for mechanical systems.

• Lead root cause analysis and reliability investigations for major mechanical failures.

• Implement safety audits and mechanical integrity programs (including HVAC fire dampers, valves, and ducting).

Leadership & Talent Development:

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, HVAC, piping, and infrastructure engineers.

• Drive succession planning, performance reviews, and technical training programs.

• Foster a culture of operational discipline, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Focus Areas:

• Strategic leadership in mechanical and HVAC engineering

• Infrastructure optimization and utility system reliability

• Executive oversight of project execution and technical compliance

• Energy-efficient HVAC system lifecycle management

• Team development and cross-functional alignment

Qualifications and Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s or MBA preferred)

• Additional certifications in HVAC design, energy management, or project leadership are a plus

Experience:

• 18–25+ years of progressive experience in mechanical engineering within power plants or industrial utility sectors

• Proven executive leadership managing HVAC, piping, and mechanical infrastructure portfolios

• Expertise in high-capacity cooling/heating, pressurized systems, and infrastructure integration in plant environments

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of ASHRAE, SMACNA, API, ASME, NFPA, and local codes

• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities

• Excellent understanding of CAPEX/OPEX planning and risk-based asset management