Early Career Mechanical Design Associate - 2026/2027 Grad

Burns Engineering, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns Engineering, Inc. in Philadelphia seeks a Mechanical Design Associate to prepare designs, layouts, and contract documents aligned with company standards and client requirements.

You may lead project teams for smaller projects, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and high technical quality. The role involves designing systems for rail and transit, aviation, and infrastructure, performing studies and cost estimates, and coordinating with clients, contractors, and suppliers under senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor's (B.S.) Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from four-year college or university from an accredited program.
• A minimum of 0-2 years of related experience.
• EIT in process or interest in taking FE exam.
• MEP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs and specifies equipment, facilities, components, and systems for the railroad and transit, and aviation and general infrastructure industries.
• Participates in the execution of specific engineering studies, design analyses and cost estimates.
• Participates in client meetings and performs on‑site inspections during construction and coordinates design requirements with contractors and equipment suppliers under the direction of the senior technical staff.
• Capability to design drawing, write and review specifications, and develop calculation reports.
• Uses computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Participates in the review of shop drawings, product data, RFI, and records changes.
• Coordinates design requirements with outside consultants and contractors as necessary.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

EIT in process or FE exam planned

Job description

About Burns

Burns Engineering provides professional engineering design and project management services for transportation, facilities, and infrastructure projects. We help our clients attain their strategic goals and initiatives through successful large-scale infrastructure projects. Burns’ full-service capabilities include mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, transportation, and energy consulting engineering.

Recently voted a Top Workplace by Philly.com, we credit our strength as an organization to our talented, driven, vibrant team. Burns is an ENR Top 500 Firm, and has been named an MEP Giant by Consulting‑Specifying Engineer Magazine, as well as a Hot Firm by Zweig. We are industry experts, proven leaders, innovative thinkers, and team players. We put our clients’ successes and best interests first, because their success is our success. We have fun at work because we love making a difference in the world. We are looking for high‑energy, bright, collaborative individuals who want the opportunity to “write their own story” with us.

For more than 50 years, we have built our reputation on outstanding client service. Ranked a Top Workplace and ENR Top 500 Design Firm, we are personally invested in helping our clients achieve their goals, sharing in their passions, and successfully guiding them through the challenges of complex projects using our no surprises Burns Unique Client Experience.

Mechanical Design Associate

Summary

Mechanical Design Associate is responsible for preparation of designs, project layouts and contract documents in accordance with company design standards and client requirements. According to project size, may be responsible for the project team in the production of projects in time, within budget, and of high technical quality by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Designs and specifies equipment, facilities, components, and systems for the railroad and transit, and aviation and general infrastructure industries.
• Participates in the execution of specific engineering studies, design analyses and cost estimates.
• Participates in client meetings and performs on‑site inspections during construction and coordinates design requirements with contractors and equipment suppliers under the direction of the senior technical staff.
• Capability to design drawing, write and review specifications, and develop calculation reports.
• Uses computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Utilizes and assists less experienced staff in understanding company technical policies and procedures during the execution of projects for clients.
• Participates in the execution of the design process on assigned projects and requests assistance from senior technical staff when needed.
• Assists the design team in the coordination of project design with other disciplines.
• Participates in the review of shop drawings, product data, RFI, and records changes.
• Coordinates design requirements with outside consultants and contractors as necessary.
• Performs activities to ensure that construction, installation, and operational testing conform to functional specifications and customer requirements.
• Responsible for knowledge of company technical policies and procedures.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's (B.S.) Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from four-year college or university from an accredited program
• A minimum of 0-2 years of related experience.
• EIT in process or interest in taking FE exam.
• MEP experience preferred

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