Senior Building HVAC Engineer

Location: Catania, IT, 95131 Genova, IT, 16129

Contract Type: Permanent

Division: Civil Engineering

Level of experience: Senior

RINA is currently recruiting for a Senior BuildingHVAC Engineer to join its office in Genoa within the Civil Engineering Division.

Mission

The Senior BuildingHVAC Engineer will be an integral part of teams dedicated to Building Engineering and Building Physics. The primary responsibility will be to develop HVAC system designs within building MEP systems, including expertise in plumbing and domestic hot water (DHW) systems. This engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impact, and improve energy efficiency across the building ecosystem. The Senior BuildingHVAC Engineer will also lead the preparation and coordination of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and the associated Basis of Design (BoD) documentation, ensuring that design solutions fully align with project performance targets, client expectations, and applicable technical and regulatory requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Design Development: develop, design, and implement HVAC systems within Building MEP frameworks (air distribution, hydronic networks, ventilation, air conditioning and heating), ensuring compliance with relevant codes, standards, and best engineering practices. Define and coordinate main ductwork layouts, piping routes, and drainage connections (including condensate drains). Define and size the domestic hot water (DHW) system. Develop the design of building drainage networks, including sanitary sewer, grey water, white water and stormwater (rainwater) systems. Coordinate subcontractors to ensure seamless execution of HVAC system designs;
• System Sizing & Selection: perform load calculations and size HVAC equipment (chillers/heat pumps, boilers, AHUs, FCUs, VRF systems, pumps, heat recovery units) and select components to meet comfort, performance, redundancy, and efficiency targets. Size and verify air-side and water-side distribution systems, including ductwork, hydronic piping, valves and accessories, as well as condensate drainage; coordinate interfaces with plumbing networks including domestic hot water (DHW) where applicable. Perform sizing/verification and technical coordination of building drainage systems, including sanitary sewer, grey water, white water and stormwater (rainwater) networks;
• Technology & Innovation: stay updated on emerging HVAC technologies, smart controls (BMS integration), high-efficiency equipment, heat recovery, and renewable integration to propose innovative solutions in design and operation;
• Technical Documentation: prepare detailed HVAC and plumbing design drawings, technical specifications, calculations, and reports for all project stages, from concept to construction;
• Coordination & Collaboration: work closely with multidisciplinary teams (architectural, structural, electrical and plumbing engineers) to ensure full integration of HVAC systems within the overall building design, including space coordination and interfaces with fire and control systems;
• Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: apply high-performance HVAC strategies (heat recovery, variable flow, free cooling, demand-controlled ventilation, low-GWP refrigerants where applicable) to reduce energy consumption, enhance system efficiency, and support sustainable and low-carbon building initiatives;
• Building Performance Analysis: support building physics assessments related to thermal comfort, indoor air quality, ventilation effectiveness, acoustics implications, and energy use to improve overall building performance;
• Quality Assurance: conduct HVAC design reviews and ensure technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with project requirements, client expectations, and commissioning needs.

Education

Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering

Qualifications

• at least5 years of experience in building engineering;
• strong capability in designing and developing HVAC systems within MEP frameworks, including air distribution, hydronic systems, ventilation, heating and cooling plants, and integration with BMS/controls;
• proficiency in HVAC load calculations, equipment sizing/selection, and control philosophies (sequence of operations) to meet comfort, efficiency, and reliability targets;
• familiarity with international and national HVAC standards and building regulations (ventilation, energy performance, refrigerants/safety) relevant to HVAC system design;
• effective coordination of multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors; strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and client interaction;
• ability