Lead Mechanical Engineer - Industrial

WSP in the U.S.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 102,300 - 155,970; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

WSP USA seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Industrial Center of Excellence with opportunities in Boise, ID; Madison, WI; Overland Park, KS; Austin, TX; and Houston, TX. You will guide data collection, perform advanced mechanical design, and coordinate with cross‑functional teams on projects from conception through construction.

You must have a PE license, 7–10 years of relevant experience in HVAC, plumbing, and infrastructure design, and strong technical writing and project leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; extensive building/infrastructure design knowledge.
• 7–10 years of post‑education experience in refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing and utility piping design.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance by collecting, analyzing data from sites, surveys, drawings for project development and construction.
• Apply high‑level mechanical engineering techniques to identify improvements across design phases.
• Develop construction plans, specifications, phasing, and cost estimates coordinating with owners and clients.
• Manage mechanical design and construction for rehabilitation, new builds, and upgrades.
• Create data visualizations, reports, and technical drawings for interpretation and presentation.
• Ensure compliance with codes, regulations, and QA/QC standards; oversee subcontractors as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE license

Building/infrastructure design knowledge

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Plant 3D

CAM software

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Boise, Idaho / Madison, Wisconsin / Overland Park, Kansas / Austin, Texas / Houston, Texas

WSP in the United States Industrial Center of Excellence seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our locations in Boise, Idaho; Madison, Wisconsin; Overland Park, Kansas; Austin, Texas; and Houston, Texas. Our Center specializes in Food & Beverage, Federal, Pharma, Semiconductor, and Industrial facility design. We lead projects that deliver high-quality, sustainable solutions through responsible design of new buildings, remodels, additions, and system upgrades.

Your Impact

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, blueprints, schematics, technical drawings and other data for project development, design, and construction.
• Apply high‑level mechanical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various building and infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional mechanical engineering work and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, equipment, resources, building, infrastructure usage, and mechanical systems, to determine conformance with applicable rules, codes, standards, and permits.
• Develop construction and installation plans, specifications, and cost estimates; prepare phasing plans and update infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub‑consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of mechanical design and construction of building and infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, new builds, operating specifications, building materials, and phasing.
• Develop and incorporate advanced technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, load calculations, and operating strategies to ensure proper installation and functioning of equipment and systems; implement future‑ready solutions with mechanical engineering design standards.
• Knowledge of mechanical systems and theory: heating, chilled water (hydronics), steam, compressed air, HVAC, refrigeration, natural gas, high‑pressure water.
• Verify site characteristics and provide technical assistance on automatic temperature control systems, air distribution (supply, return, exhaust), hydronic systems, and plumbing systems (domestic water, waste, vent, storm, etc.).
• Work with and monitor cross‑functional teams of engineers, planners, and scientists to execute project work on mid‑level and multiple concurrent projects: budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantity of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, schematics, construction compliance documentation, and regulatory analysis memos.
• Coordinate, review and approve installation design plans, ensuring data integrity and compliance with codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross‑sections, technical drawings, spreadsheets, and other illustrations for interpretation or presentation of complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address engineering, design, and construction issues or opportunities.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input to develop action plans for moderate‑ to high‑level risk installation, equipment operations, and mitigation activities.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and building and infrastructure authorities on federally, state, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest mechanical engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and comply with WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post‑education experience in refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, and utility piping design and able to perform work requiring independent judgement, knowledge of engineering principles, procedures, and code requirements.
• Professional Engineering license required.
• Proficient with mechanical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and application to project work‑related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of building and infrastructure design.
• Experience with building and infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.
• Well‑defined knowledge for reducing and eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances/greenhouse gas.
• Specific knowledge of relevant mechanical engineering and construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices and record‑keeping requirements.
• Ability to perform technical computations and calculations involving engineering principles; understand plans and specifications; make factual comparisons to appropriate regulations.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities, structures and systems; apply applicable regulations and policies.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas to an engineering and non‑engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high level of self‑leadership with attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, load calculations, discipline‑specific design software (e.g., AutoCAD, CAM), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well‑developed critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, load calculations, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solutions.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Autodesk Revit, MEP and/or Plant 3D experience.
• Member of ASHRAE and IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration).

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $102,300 - $155,970. WSP USA reserves the right to pay based on education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Compensation may be higher or lower than the posted range.

WSP USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.