Special Systems Design Engineer

McFarland-Johnson Inc

• $70K — $95K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-6 years of experience in electrical or special systems design in a consulting engineering or AEC environment
  • Proficiency in Revit and/or AutoCAD; BIM experience preferred
  • Familiarity with special systems such as fire alarm, security, access control, communications, and AV/IT infrastructure
  • Knowledge of relevant codes and standards (NFPA 72, IBC, NEC)
  • Strong attention to detail; ability to manage multiple tasks
  • Effective communication skills; comfortable working in teams and with clients
  • EIT/EI designation or progress toward licensure is a plus

Responsibilities

  • Develop and produce design drawings, specifications, and technical documents for special systems projects
  • Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and multi-discipline teams throughout project phases
  • Perform technical calculations, system layouts, and equipment selections according to applicable codes and standards
  • Participate in client meetings and field visits to gather data and prepare documentation
  • Review shop drawings, respond to RFIs, and support construction administration tasks
  • Coordinate with architects, contractors, and other design disciplines to maintain design intent
  • Support senior engineers in developing project scopes, schedules, and deliverables while ensuring quality control

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision
  • Generous Paid Time Off, including Parental Leave
  • Fully contributed Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • 401(k) match
  • Opportunities for technical training and professional development
Full Job Description
Category
Facilities

Description

McFarland Johnson (MJ) is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and infrastructure firm with decades of experience delivering complex projects across Aviation, Transportation, Environmental, Water/Wastewater, and MEP/Facilities sectors. Our team-first culture, ownership mindset, and commitment to technical excellence make MJ a place where careers are built - not just jobs filled. Our Philadelphia office is growing, and we're looking for motivated engineers and designers who want to do meaningful work and grow with the firm.

About the Role:

MJ's MEP/Facilities Division is seeking a mid-level Special Systems / Electrical Designer to join our Philadelphia team. In this role, you'll work within our Special Systems group on a range of infrastructure and facilities projects, contributing to design, documentation, and coordination efforts across multiple project types. This is a great opportunity for a designer ready to take on more responsibility and deepen their expertise in a collaborative, technically driven environment.

While experience in power systems is a plus, it is not a requirement for this position. We're primarily looking for someone with a solid foundation in special systems design who is eager to grow.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop and produce design drawings, specifications, and technical documents for special systems projects, including fire alarm, security/access control, communications, audio/visual, and low-voltage systems
  • Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and multi-discipline teams to coordinate systems across project phases - from schematic design through construction administration
  • Perform technical calculations, system layouts, and equipment selections in accordance with applicable codes and standards (NFPA, IBC, NEC as applicable)
  • Participate in client meetings and field visits; assist in gathering field data and preparing existing conditions documentation
  • Review shop drawings and submittals; respond to RFIs and support construction administration tasks
  • Coordinate with architects, contractors, and other design disciplines to ensure design intent is maintained through project delivery
  • Support senior engineers and project leads in the development of project scopes, schedules, and deliverables

    Contribute to quality control reviews and uphold MJ's standards for technical accuracy and deliverable quality

Desired Skills and Qualifications:
  • 3-6 years of experience in electrical or special systems design within a consulting engineering or AEC environment
  • Proficiency in Revit and/or AutoCAD; BIM experience in a production environment preferred
  • Familiarity with special systems such as fire alarm, security, access control, communications, or AV/IT infrastructure
  • Working knowledge of relevant codes and standards (NFPA 72, IBC, NEC)
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks across concurrent projects
  • Effective communication skills - comfortable working within a team and interfacing with clients and contractors
  • EIT/EI designation or progress toward licensure is a plus
  • Experience with power distribution design is a bonus, but not required

What MJ Offers:
  • Generous salary and incentive payment plan/bonus structure
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Generous Paid Time Off, including Parental Leave
  • Fully contributed to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • 401(k) match
  • Technical training and professional development opportunities

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join MJ and become part of our exceptional team dedicated to innovation, engineering excellence, and client satisfaction.

Position Requirements

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time

Shift
Days

City

State

Keywords

Pay Range

Position
Special Systems Design Engineer

Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt

Open Date
3/30/2026

This position is currently accepting applications.

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