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Valdes Architecture & Engineering

Principal Mechanical Engineer

lombard, IL

Check who can apply and the requirements below before continuing.

About this opportunity

Valdes Architecture & Engineering lists this Principal Mechanical Engineer opportunity in lombard, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

Valdes Architecture & Engineering is seeking an accomplished Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across municipal infrastructure, water and wastewater, building systems, industrial process facilities, utility and power infrastructure, and life sciences markets.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer is one of the most senior technical positions within the Mechanical Engineering Department and serves as a technical authority, mentor, and trusted advisor to clients and project teams. This individual leads complex mechanical engineering assignments, establishes technical direction, resolves difficult or non-routine engineering problems, provides senior-level quality review, and develops the technical capabilities of other engineers.

The position requires independent engineering judgment and technical leadership from planning and conceptual design through construction and commissioning.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

Serve as a technical authority for complex mechanical engineering projects and design challenges

Establish design criteria and technical direction for mechanical systems and equipment

Apply advanced engineering judgment to resolve complex, unusual, or non-routine engineering problems

Evaluate alternative systems and equipment based on performance, reliability, constructability, maintainability, lifecycle cost, and client requirements

Identify technical risks and develop practical, defensible engineering solutions

Provide technical consultation to clients and multidisciplinary project teams

Serve as Engineer of Record or responsible mechanical engineer when appropriate

Provide technical leadership in one or more areas including:

HVAC, plumbing, and building utility systems

Process and utility piping

Pumping systems

Steam, condensate, heating, and cooling water systems

Compressed air, gas, and fuel systems

Pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels, and packaged equipment

Piping layouts, stress analysis, supports, and equipment interfaces

Project Leadership & Delivery

Serve as Mechanical Lead on large, technically complex, and multidisciplinary projects

Lead mechanical engineering from planning and conceptual design through construction and commissioning

Develop and review project scopes, design criteria, engineering estimates, schedules, and budgets

Provide technical direction to engineers and designers and coordinate mechanical interfaces with other disciplines

Review and approve calculations, specifications, drawings, equipment selections, data sheets, reports, and construction documents

Identify technical, scope, schedule, and budget risks and work with Project Management to resolve them

Ensure deliverables meet project requirements, applicable codes, client standards, and Valdes quality expectations

Field & Construction Support

Lead field investigations and assessments of existing mechanical systems

Provide senior-level engineering judgment in resolving field conditions, construction issues, and equipment problems

Review RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, and proposed field modifications

Participate in equipment inspections, factory testing, startup, and commissioning

Ensure designs consider constructability, maintainability, accessibility, operations, and personnel safety

Engineering Standards, Quality & Mentorship

Provide senior-level QA/QC review of mechanical engineering deliverables, including the underlying design basis and technical approach

Help develop and improve department standards, specifications, procedures, calculation methods, and design practices

Promote consistent application of sound engineering practices and lessons learned

Mentor engineers and designers and help develop future technical leaders

Provide technical guidance while allowing developing engineers appropriate ownership of their work

Share technical knowledge and provide clear, constructive technical feedback

Client Engagement & Business Development

Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients

Participate in client meetings, planning sessions, presentations, and technical discussions

Support proposals, project pursuits, scope development, technical approaches, and fee development

Identify opportunities where Valdes' mechanical engineering capabilities can address client needs

Develop and maintain strong technical relationships with clients

Technical Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals and significant technical depth in one or more mechanical engineering areas.

Experience may include:

Municipal infrastructure and water/wastewater

Building mechanical systems

Power generation and energy

Industrial and central utility systems

Industrial and process facilities

Mechanical equipment and piping systems

Pharmaceutical and life sciences facilities

The candidate shall demonstrate:

Advanced ability to develop and review mechanical calculations, specifications, data sheets, equipment selections, reports, and construction documents

Strong knowledge of applicable codes and standards including ASME, ASHRAE, AWWA, NFPA, API, IMC, IPC, IBC, and applicable state and local requirements

Ability to direct and review work using applicable engineering analysis and design software

Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit sufficient to direct and review design work

Ability to communicate complex engineering issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution

Active Professional Engineer (PE) license

12+ years of progressively responsible mechanical engineering experience

Demonstrated experience leading complex mechanical engineering assignments and multidisciplinary projects

Demonstrated ability to establish technical direction and independently resolve complex engineering problems

Demonstrated ability to review and approve mechanical engineering calculations, specifications, drawings, equipment selections, and technical deliverables

Experience mentoring and providing technical direction to engineers and designers

Strong client-facing communication skills

Ability and willingness to travel to client and project sites as required

Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills

Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future

Preferred

Experience serving as Engineer of Record or responsible Mechanical Engineer

Experience across multiple mechanical engineering markets or system types

Experience with rehabilitation and modernization of existing facilities

Experience developing engineering standards and QA/QC practices

Experience supporting proposals, project pursuits, and client development

What Success Looks Like

A successful Principal Mechanical Engineer is recognized as a trusted technical authority who can lead the department's most challenging mechanical engineering assignments while improving the capabilities of the engineers around them.

The Principal Engineer provides sound technical direction when solutions are not obvious, identifies and manages engineering risk, develops practical and defensible solutions, and strengthens the department through technical leadership, mentorship, quality, and client confidence.

$145,000 - $185,000 a year

Salaries for all positions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, total years of experience in the industry, education, skills, and qualifications. Compensation may vary depending on the candidate's individual background and expertise.Salaries are subject to fluctuation outside of the given range. The indicated range is not a commitment and meant as a guideline. All compensation, exempt or non-exempt status, and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

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Worksite address

lombard, IL, 60148, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.

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