Salary : $102,211.20 - $123,115.20 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number:
Business Area: N/A - Multiple Departments
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION
See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
Assistant Engineer - Mechanical positions may be assigned, under close supervision, professional-level mechanical engineering duties to include: Check building plans for compliance with mechanical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), water, gas, sanitary piping, energy conservation, noise control, and electrical codes and standards; calculate, review and verify mechanical adequacy; provide information to engineers, architects, and contractors; prepare specifications; may be assigned to assist field inspectors; and perform other duties as assigned.

Assistant Engineer - Mechanical positions in the Public Utilities Department will be utilized to fill Assistant Energy Engineer vacancies. Assistant Energy Engineer positions perform project management and construction management duties on projects related to energy, power plants, and HVAC projects; plan check of proposed water and wastewater facility designs for prudent energy design principles; perform energy audits on existing facilities; recommend, design and implement energy conservation measures on HVAC, and mechanical systems and processes; develop and manage renewable energy projects; evaluate energy rate tariffs for use at facilities; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:

• 3.5% effective 7/1/27
• 2% effective 7/1/28
• 2% effective 1/1/29

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Assistant Engineer - Mechanical employees with valid State of California registration as a Professional Mechanical Engineer are eligible for 31% additional pay.
• Assistant Engineer - Mechanical employees who do not have a valid State of California Professional Engineer registration but have a valid Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification that meets the requirements established by California's Department of Consumer Affairs, Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists are eligible for 8% additional pay. The employee's eligibility for EIT certification pay will end when he or she achieves state registration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION: You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
2. Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate issued from a state licensing board.
3. Registration as a Professional Mechanical Engineer with a state licensing board.

NOTE:

• Additional qualifying professional mechanical engineering experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college level units.

EXPERIENCE: Two years of full-time professional-level mechanical engineering experience. Qualifying professional-level experience MUST include: Checking building plans for compliance with mechanical and plumbing codes and standards; calculating, reviewing, and verifying mechanical adequacy; and providing information to engineers, architects, and contractors regarding plan modification, building regulations and mechanical/plumbing design issues.

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience in project development, management and construction management duties on projects related to energy, renewable energy, power plants, and HVAC systems; performing energy audits; evaluating rate tariffs for use at facilities and other energy engineering related experience.
• Certification as an Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of degree/transcripts, certificate or registration, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.

Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

or review the
01

I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03

If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04

The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05

Specify which ONE of the following options you are using to meet the education requirement. NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts, certificate, or registration to your application.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate issued from a state licensing board.
• Registration as a Professional Mechanical Engineer with a state licensing board.
• None of the above.

06

If you are using a combination of experience and education to qualify, which of the following best describes your level of education?

• 0 to 29 semester/44 quarter units
• 30 semester/45 quarter units to 59 semester /89 quarter units
• 60 semester/90 quarter units to 89 semester/134 quarter units
• 90 semester/135 quarter units to 119 semester/179 quarter units
• 120 semester/180 quarter units or more

07

How many years of full-time professional-level mechanical engineering experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years or more

08

Indicate in which of the following areas you have full-time professional-level mechanical engineering experience.

• Checking building plans for compliance with mechanical and, plumbing codes and standards.
• Calculating, reviewing, and verifying mechanical adequacy.
• Providing information to engineers, architects, and contractors regarding plan modification, building regulations, and mechanical/plumbing codes and design issues.
• None of the above.

09

Describe your full-time professional-level mechanical engineering experience in the following areas: a. Checking building plans for compliance with mechanical, and plumbing codes and standards; b. calculating, reviewing, and verifying mechanical adequacy; c. providing information to engineers, architects, and contractors regarding plan modification, building regulations, and mechanical/plumbing design issues. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None.
10

Describe your experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the following areas: a. Project development and management; b. project design to codes and standards; c. calculating, reviewing and verifying for adequacy; d. providing information to engineers, architects and contractors regarding plan modification, building regulations, and mechanical/plumbing codes and design issues. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None.
Required Question