Lead Mechanical Engineer

Kiewit; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible work options

401K plan

Great time off

Job summary

Kiewit is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to support our Industrial team in Houston. You will act as the technical authority for mechanical systems on complex projects, mentor staff, and drive technical excellence across EPC and design-build deliveries.

You will lead equipment specification, calculations, and multi-disciplinary coordination, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions while meeting client and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent from an ABET-accredited four-year university (Masters preferred).
• Experience in design through construction, EPC, and/or design-build.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in industrial facilities (data centers, power, mining, etc.).
• EIT required; PE license or ability to obtain within 12–18 months.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Plant 3D, Pipe-Flo, AFT Fathom/Arrow, CFD tools.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical engineering design of industrial facility systems (HVAC, piping, pumping, etc.).
• Develop concepts, basis-of-design docs, P&IDs, equipment layouts, and detailed packages.
• Perform calculations: fluid flow, heat transfer, thermodynamics, pumps, and modeling.
• Serve as SME for codes and standards; lead QA/QC reviews.
• Act as mechanical lead on multi-disciplinary teams; oversee deliverables across project phases.
• Prepare equipment specifications and collaborate with vendors.
• Support construction and commissioning and provide field issue resolution.
• Mentor junior engineers and develop mechanical engineering standards.

Skills

EIT

PE license

10+ years experience

Industrial facility design

Data center design

Mentorship & leadership

Client-facing skills

Regulatory knowledge

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Plant 3D

Pipe-Flo

AFT Fathom/Arrow

CFD tools

Job description

Position Overview

If you are viewing this position on other websites, we recommend you apply to the position directly at our website at www.kiewitjobs.com.

We are hiring a Lead Mechanical Engineer to support our Industrial team. This position is critical to delivering safe, efficient, and resilient EPC and Design build projects across our Industrial market. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for mechanical systems across complex industrial projects - which could include data centers, water and wastewater treatment facilities, power generation assets, mining and mineral processing, and chemical processing plants. This role supports process design, and leads mechanical system design, equipment specification, engineering analysis, and multi‑disciplinary coordination to deliver safe, reliable, and cost‑effective mechanical solutions. You will mentor engineering staff, drive technical excellence, and ensure all designs meet regulatory, client, and performance requirements.

At Kiewit, we believe in building more than just structures, we build relationships, strengthen communities and improve the world. With top notch health benefits, great time off, flexible work options a wealth‑building 401K plan and unbeatable growth opportunities - we are deeply invested in the future of our employees. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your mechanical design skills and implement innovative solutions and make a lasting impact, as Kiewit continues to expand in the Industrial marketplace. If you desire to diversify your experience, and work on different types of facilities, and want to work on EPC, large scale projects, we want to talk with you. We are an employee‑owned company which fosters dedication and commitment to project success and are positioned as a key player in meeting growing electricity demands. We cultivate a culture of excellence, innovation and teamwork, making it the most rewarding place to build your career.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc is a full‑service consulting and engineering firm serving the infrastructure and engineering markets. Our combined staff of more than 3,000 engineers and design professionals have expertise that spans all major engineering disciplines to serve transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets. Backed by 140 years of construction experience, our construction‑driven engineering focuses on constructability and safety in the earliest phases of projects to ensure on‑time and on‑budget project delivery.

Our rapidly growing Industrial and Water Engineering Group, which includes mechanical, process, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, geotechnical, and civil disciplines, is a multi‑faceted and leading‑edge division of Kiewit with best‑in‑class technical expertise focused on EPC and design‑build delivery of industrial projects in markets such as Consumer Products, Heavy Manufacturing, Industrial Buildings, Pulp and Paper, Mineral Processing, Renewable Natural Gas, and Industrial Water and Utilities.

Location

Locations: Lenexa (Kansas City) Kansas, Lone Tree Colorado, Houston Texas, Dallas or Fort Worth Texas. We offer relocation assistance to the district office in Lenexa Kansas only, otherwise we are looking for locals in these other offices.

Some consideration will be made for fully remote candidates that meet and exceed our requirements at a Senior Mechanical Engineering level, but if fully remote, you will travel up to 40% of the time to other offices.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Detailed Systems/Equipment Design

• Lead the mechanical engineering design of industrial facility systems, including HVAC, hydronic systems, process piping, pumping systems, compressed air, cooling systems, material handling equipment, and specialized process equipment.
• Develop mechanical system concepts, basis‑of‑design documents, P&IDs, equipment layouts, and detailed engineering packages.
• Perform and review engineering calculations: fluid flow, heat transfer, thermodynamics, pressure drop, pump sizing, equipment selection, and system modeling.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for mechanical codes, standards, and best practices (ASME, API, NFPA, SMACNA, ASHRAE, etc.).
• Lead mechanical discipline QA/QC reviews to ensure accuracy, constructability, and compliance.

Project Execution & Coordination

• Act as the mechanical engineering lead on multi‑disciplinary project teams, coordinating with electrical, structural, civil, controls, and process engineering.
• Oversee mechanical design deliverables across all project phases: feasibility, conceptual design, detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Support development of project schedules, budgets, and resource plans for mechanical engineering scope.
• Interface with clients to understand requirements, present design solutions, and resolve technical issues.

Equipment Specification & Procurement

• Prepare equipment specifications, datasheets, RFQs, and technical bid evaluations for pumps, heat exchangers, air handling units, chillers, boilers, tanks, conveyors, and specialized process equipment.
• Collaborate with vendors to validate performance, ensure compliance, and optimize cost and reliability.
• Review vendor drawings and documentation for integration into facility systems.

Construction & Commissioning Support

• Provide mechanical engineering support during construction, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and resolving field issues.
• Conduct site visits to verify installation quality, system readiness, and compliance with design intent.
• Support commissioning plans, functional testing, and performance verification of mechanical systems.

Leadership, Mentorship & Standards Development

• Mentor junior and mid‑level mechanical engineers, providing technical guidance and career development support.
• Lead development and continuous improvement of mechanical engineering standards, templates, and best practices.
• Champion innovation, reliability engineering, and continuous improvement across the mechanical discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent engineering program from an ABET accredited four‑year university. Masters Degree prferred
• Experience working in Design through Construction administration, EPC, and or Design/Build experience
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in industrial facilities (data centers, water/WW, power, mining/mineral processing, or chemical processing). Experience with mechanical equipment design for data centers highly desired or experience with cooling distribution units (CDU's), Computer room handling units (CRAH), fan walls, and containment modules for air cooling for industrial facilities
• EIT is required. Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within 12 to 18 months.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical system design, equipment specification, process design, eqiupment sizing/specification development, procurement package development, vendor drawing review
• Proficiency with engineering software (AutoCAD, Revit, Plant 3D, Pipe-Flo, AFT Fathom/Arrow for hydraulic calculations or similar toolw, CFD tools, etc.) as well as MS Office Suite
• Strong understanding of industrial codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and client‑facing skills. Experience mentoring more junior engineers and leading projects (budget/schedule) #LI-JB1

Other Requirements

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.

Base Compensation: $100,000/yr - $130,000

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

This posting will be active from: 07/27/2026 - 11/03/2026

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top‑tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Company: Kiewit