MEP Design Engineer - Supermarket & Retail Infrastructure
Job Description Job Description Company: Cold Technology Location: Blackwood, NJ Job Type: Full-time Job/Employment Type: Full Time Compensation: $65,000–$105,000 annually, based on relevant experience and technical capability About Cold Technology Cold Technology designs, builds, and optimizes high-performance supermarket and retail environments throughout the Mid-Atlantic. We operate differently from a traditional consulting engineering firm. As a design-build energy management and retail infrastructure company, we focus on practical, cost-effective designs that work in real-world field conditions. Our team supports independent grocers and regional supermarket chains with store planning, refrigeration, HVAC, electrical systems, controls, and energy-management solutions. Position Overview Cold Technology is seeking an experienced MEP Design Engineer to lead the development of practical, coordinated design packages for supermarket and retail construction projects. This is a multidisciplinary role for someone who is highly proficient in AutoCAD and comfortable working across mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and retail floor-planning systems. You will collaborate with clients to understand their operational goals, develop store and equipment layouts, create MEP requirement drawings, and coordinate the final design package for review by the Engineer of Record. The ideal candidate combines strong drafting ability with ownership, attention to detail, sound technical judgment, and an understanding of how construction drawings translate into field installations. Key Responsibilities MEP and Retail Layout Design Create coordinated MEP requirement drawings for supermarket and retail projects. Develop equipment layouts, utility-routing plans, equipment schedules, and system requirements. Review architectural and merchandising plans to identify mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and space-planning needs. Ensure drawings account for installation access, equipment clearances, serviceability, and field conditions. AutoCAD Drafting and Design Leadership Produce accurate initial layouts and design markups using AutoCAD. Maintain drawing quality, consistency, and documentation standards. Delegate production drafting assignments to internal AutoCAD or Revit drafters. Review completed drawings before internal approval or Engineer of Record handoff. Manage design documentation across multiple active projects. Supermarket and Retail Planning Work with clients to develop merchandising and floor plans. Coordinate grocery shelving, refrigerated display cases, walk-in coolers and freezers, department layouts, and customer-flow considerations. Translate operational and merchandising requirements into buildable infrastructure plans. HVAC and Refrigeration Applications Support the selection and placement of rooftop HVAC units and related equipment. Develop high-level HVAC design requirements, including ventilation, humidity-control, and reheat strategies. Create layouts for commercial refrigeration systems, refrigerated display cases, walk-in boxes, and related utility requirements. Identify critical installation details, including drainage, access, and equipment-clearance requirements. Electrical, Lighting, and Controls Develop preliminary equipment electrical-load schedules. Coordinate lighting layouts and electrical requirements for retail environments. Support the integration of Building Automation Systems, Energy Management Systems, HVAC controls, and refrigeration controls. Client and Project Coordination Communicate technical requirements and layout options to store owners, executives, contractors, and project stakeholders. Gather project requirements and identify missing information before designs are finalized. Coordinate design packages with consulting engineers and the Engineer of Record. Support value-engineering decisions that reduce equipment, installation, and utility costs. Required Qualifications Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and create coordinated MEP drawings. Experience developing practical building-system or equipment-layout plans. Strong understanding of field installation constraints, service access, and equipment clearances. Strong attention to detail and document-quality standards. Ability to independently manage multiple design projects and priorities. Strong accountability, ownership, and follow-through. Clear written and verbal communication skills. Ability to explain technical concepts to nontechnical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Three or more years of relevant design, drafting, engineering, or construction experience. Experience in one or more of the following: Supermarket or grocery-store design Commercial refrigeration Retail facility planning Food-service facility design HVAC application engineering Electrical or lighting layouts Design-build construction Experience coordinating or directing production drafters. Familiarity with Revit. Experience with Building Automation Systems, Energy Management Systems, or refrigeration controls. Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architecture, construction engineering, or a related discipline. Equivalent field experience may be considered in place of a formal degree. What Success Looks Like Design packages are accurate, coordinated, and ready for Engineer of Record review. Drawings reflect real-world installation and maintenance requirements. Missing information and design conflicts are identified early. Projects remain organized across multiple active store locations. Clients receive clear, practical recommendations. Internal drafting work is delegated and reviewed effectively. Benefits Cold Technology offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes: Salary of $65,000–$105,000 based on experience and technical capability Company-paid family medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar company matching up to 5% Paid vacation, holidays, personal days, and sick time Company-paid life insurance Company-paid long-term disability coverage Weekly direct-deposit payroll Company-sponsored technical training, professional licensing, and continuing education support About Us : Cold Technology is a leading provider of commercial HVAC and refrigeration services, dedicated to delivering exceptional technical quality and field support. We foster a stable, family-oriented culture focused on career growth, continuous technical training, and mutual loyalty. Learn more at https://www.coldtech.com/. Cold Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
