Kate Harper Joins RPA’s Manager of Design Team

We’re proud to announce the promotion of one of our key mechanical leaders, Kate Harper, EIT, from Supervisor of Facilities Design to Manager of Design – HVAC, Plumbing, and Fire Protection. This promotion reflects both professional excellence and the growing role of integrated mechanical design in delivering high-performing facilities for our clients.

Stepping into the Manager of Design Role

In her new role of Manager of Design – HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Kate will expand her impact by guiding mechanical design strategy firm-wide. Responsibilities include setting technical direction for HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems; supporting quality control and peer review; developing staff; and helping align mechanical design decisions with evolving codes, sustainability goals, and client expectations.

This promotion also supports RPA’s continued investment in leadership that understands both the technical details and the big picture from mechanical systems contributing to safety, comfort, to energy performance and long-term value.

We spoke with Kate about her career progression, her approach to mechanical design leadership, and what taking on the Manager of Design role represents for her and the team.

Tell us a little about yourself: your background, how long you’ve been with RPA, and the types of projects you typically work on.

I graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and began my career at an engineering consulting firm in New York City, building a strong foundation in building systems design. I joined RPA Engineering in September 2020 and have grown alongside the firm ever since.

At RPA, I’ve worked across HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems on diverse facilities projects ranging from commercial and adaptive reuse developments to research labs, universities, semiconductor and battery manufacturing, power and utility plants, and advanced manufacturing facilities.

What I value most is the diversity and technical depth of our work. I enjoy collaborating with architects, construction managers, and our internal teams to deliver successful, well-coordinated projects for our clients. I also enjoy mentoring younger engineers and designers while continuing to learn from the strong talent within our department.

What does this promotion to Manager of Design mean to you, and how does it reflect your journey as an engineer?

This promotion represents both a milestone and a responsibility to uphold the technical excellence of our work while supporting the continued growth of our team.

My career has been rooted in curiosity and collaboration. I began by building strong technical fundamentals and understanding how thoughtful design impacts long-term building performance. Over time, that expanded into leading projects, mentoring staff, and coordinating across disciplines to deliver high quality projects for our clients.

Taking on a Manager of Design role feels like a natural next step that combines technical leadership with team development. I’m excited to help elevate our standards, support our teams, and continue strengthening the quality and impact of our work.

In your new role, how do you approach balancing high-performance design with project realities like constructability, energy efficiency, and client goals?

High-performance design only succeeds when it’s practical, constructible, and aligned with the client’s goals.

I prioritize early collaboration across disciplines to coordinate HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems from the outset. We work closely with our in-house electrical, structural, and controls teams, while partnering with architects and construction managers, to identify constraints early and find solutions.

It is our responsibility to deliver systems that are technically sound, energy-efficient, code-compliant, and maintainable, while meeting each client’s operational needs, budget, and long-term objectives.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about shaping the future of mechanical design and building systems engineering at RPA?

I’m most excited about the opportunity to help shape our technical direction while continuing to invest in our team.

Industry changes, driven by AI, regulatory shifts, electrification, and the growing complexity of the facilities we design, are happening quickly. RPA is well positioned to lead in this environment because of the depth of our technical expertise and the strength of our team.

I look forward to refining our design standards, strengthening mentorship, and fostering a culture where engineers and designers at every level feel challenged, supported, and proud of the work we deliver.