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HVAC Sales Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

San Diego is a top market for commercial HVAC service and equipment sales engineers. We place experienced sales professionals selling maintenance agreements, retrofits, controls upgrades, and equipment to property managers, healthcare facilities, and biotech accounts across the county.

San Diego is a top market for commercial HVAC service and equipment sales engineers. We place experienced sales professionals selling maintenance agreements, retrofits, controls upgrades, and equipment to property managers, healthcare facilities, and biotech accounts across the county.

About San Diego, CA

Gulfstream Strategic Placements recruits hvac sales engineers across the San Diego metro. All searches are confidential — client identity is never disclosed until both sides agree to a formal interview.

San Diego market snapshot

San Diego's mechanical market runs on life science and biotech (Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley, UTC), Navy and federal infrastructure downtown and at Coronado, and healthcare through Scripps, Sharp, and UC San Diego Health. Lab fit-out complexity — high air changes, hazardous exhaust, tight commissioning — has driven demand for specialist PMs and commissioning agents.

Active San Diego submarkets: Sorrento Valley, Torrey Pines, UTC, Kearny Mesa, Downtown, Carlsbad.

Recent San Diego searches

Recently placed a Senior Mechanical Estimator specializing in life-science shell-and-core takeoffs and a Commissioning Agent supporting a research campus expansion in Torrey Pines.

San Diego base salary ranges

  • Mechanical PM (life science): $130K–$185K base
  • Senior Estimator: $140K–$200K base
  • Commissioning Agent (CxA): $115K–$170K base
  • Plumbing / Process Piping Foreman: $95K–$140K base

Ranges reflect base only for commercial mechanical roles; total comp typically adds 10–25% via bonus, vehicle allowance, and benefits.

CA HVAC licensing note

California requires a CSLB C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning classification for commercial HVAC contractors; individual PMs and estimators do not need the license themselves.

Frequently asked questions

What's the commission structure?

Competitive base plus uncapped commission. Most clients pay on gross profit, renewals, and project sales.

Industry experience required?

Yes — most clients require 2+ years selling mechanical service or equipment.

What life-science and biotech experience matters most in San Diego?

Lab-grade air handling (BSL-2/BSL-3), specialty exhaust, pure water and process piping, and CxA-led commissioning workflows. Candidates with Scripps, Illumina-adjacent, or major biotech GC exposure move fastest.

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