Meghan Quinn, PE
Meghan Quinn, PE, is a project management-focused mechanical engineer with 23 years of experience spanning aerospace and building engineering. Her career began in aerospace, supported by a scholarship and an early internship with Goodrich Aerospace, which grounded her in precision, systems thinking, and accountability, skills that would shape every aspect of her professional journey. While conducting research at the University of Connecticut for Pratt & Whitney, Meghan made a pivotal decision guided not by prestige but by place. She chose to build a life in New York City, drawn to its infrastructure, architecture, and the complexity of systems that make cities work. That decision ultimately led her into building sciences and mechanical engineering, where she discovered her strength in seeing the full picture, how design, technology, cost, and people intersect from concept through completion.
Over the last 23 years, Meghan has expanded her expertise beyond pure engineering into project management, business development, and mentoring emerging engineers. She thrives in mid-sized firm environments, where collaboration feels personal, leadership is accessible, and broad exposure is possible. One of the most defining moments of her career came during the Columbia Square project in Hollywood, a six-building, city-block development including the rehabilitation of the historic 1937 CBS studios. At a time when many developers defaulted to traditional packaged HVAC units, Meghan championed a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, creating detailed comparative analyses, organizing site visits to manufacturing facilities, and educating stakeholders on the long-term energy, performance, and cost benefits. Her efforts not only secured client buy-in but also led to broader recognition, including a YouTube feature highlighting the system’s impact.
Throughout her career, Meghan has maintained a people-first approach to engineering, emphasizing stakeholder education, cross-discipline coordination, and long-term system longevity. She believes that progress comes from asking better questions, guiding teams through change, and balancing technical excellence with mentorship and collaboration. Experiences across firms of all sizes have reinforced her conviction that people, not just processes, define the success of any organization, and she continues to champion innovation, sustainability, and professional growth in every project she leads.
• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Registered Professional Engineer
• University of Connecticut - ME
• Arizona State University - BSME
• University of Connecticut - BSME
• Member of ASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
• ACE Mentor Program - Architecture - Construction - Engineering
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of technical expertise, curiosity, and seeing the full picture. My career began in aerospace engineering, with a scholarship and an internship at Goodrich Aerospace that grounded me in precision, systems thinking, and accountability. A pivotal decision to pursue building sciences in New York City led me to mechanical engineering for the built environment, where I discovered my strength in understanding how design, technology, cost, and people intersect from concept through completion. Over the last 23 years, I’ve expanded my work into project management, mentoring, and business development, guiding teams through evolving codes, new technologies, and long-term operational thinking.
A defining moment came during the Columbia Square project in Hollywood, where I advocated for a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system over traditional HVAC units. By creating detailed analyses, arranging site visits, and helping stakeholders understand long-term benefits, the project succeeded and gained broader recognition, including a feature in the developer’s YouTube video. Experiences like this have reinforced my belief that progress comes from asking better questions, building trust, and valuing people and collaboration as much as technical excellence.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my favorite mentor, and who I believe to be the best mechanical engineer in our industry. He told me to never stop asking questions, that way you’ll never stop learning.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be visible, seek and provide mentorship, and know that women can thrive in engineering while being personable and well-rounded. Just as my mentor told me, never stop asking questions, that way you never stop learning. Push the boundaries, be creative and listen to everyone involved, as different entities may have varying goals that can provide insight to outside the box solutions.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is staying ahead of recent code changes affecting HVAC systems and refrigerants, while ensuring that projects remain compliant, efficient, and sustainable. I also see the importance of educating clients on long-term equipment viability, helping them understand lifecycle costs, maintenance considerations, and the impact of design decisions on energy performance. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to implement innovative, high-efficiency mechanical systems, deliver sustainable solutions, and build strong, long-term partnerships with clients by guiding them toward decisions that enhance both building performance and occupant comfort.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I’m not a “typical engineer.” While some engineers may prefer to keep their heads down at a computer, I thrive on people interaction and holistic project involvement, believing that the best designs come from collaboration and understanding the bigger picture. Outside of work, I stay grounded through trail running and golfing, which teach focus, patience, and humility. I’m deeply committed to service and giving back—volunteering at food banks and with Habitat for Humanity helps me stay connected to the communities we design for, not just the buildings we create. One of my most personal commitments has been completing my late mother’s unfinished baby quilts and donating them to children’s hospitals, a quiet reminder that legacy is built through care and impact, not recognition.
Locations
San Diego, CA 92130