Lead Mechanical Engineer - Utilities & Building Systems

LAPORTE; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensatory PTO

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible working environment

Job summary

LAPORTE is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to lead our expanding team and oversee mechanical and piping projects within the pharmaceutical and food & beverage sectors, located with commutable access to Columbus, OH. You will drive conceptual, preliminary and detailed designs, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction.

You will mentor the mechanical staff, manage contracts with clients for MEP projects, and ensure high-quality deliverables while spending at least three days in the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
• 8+ years of design engineering experience in consulting
• Knowledge ofHVAC and central utilities (steam, chilled water, compressed air)
• Knowlege of ASHRAE & ACGIH
• Familiarity with ISPE and HACCP

Responsibilities

• Mentor and grow the mechanical team.
• Manage contracts and clients for MEP projects.
• Quality review of deliverables and project execution (≈50% workload).
• Mechanical design of HVAC, hydronic and steam systems (≈50%).
• Assess project requirements, break into tasks, and define scope, budget, staffing with PMs.
• Prepare engineering studies and schematic designs for new systems.

Skills

HVAC design

Central utilities (steam, chilledwater

AutoCAD

Revit

Project management

Client relations

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Must be located within a commutable distance of one of the following office locations:

• King of Prussia, PA
• Columbus, OH
• Raleigh, NC
• Rochester, NY

The salary for this position is between $140,000-$170,000, contingent upon the candidate’s experience and demonstrated technical proficiency.

We’re seeking a full‑time mechanical engineer to lead our expanding team and contribute to the design and management of mechanical and piping projects in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.

Reporting directly to the President of Laporte Consultants, this is a newly created role that we are motivated to have in place by the end of April 2026.

LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm which has been in business for 25 years. Today, the company has 25 offices across North America and Europe, and over 500 employees with a passion for engineering.

Join us for a competitive salary, compensatory PTO, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth. We believe in a flexible working environment that values work‑life balance while encouraging efficiency and creativity on a daily basis.

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will be driven to lead projects and a team independently and have experience in developing conceptual, preliminary and detailed designs, drawings, and specifications for the following services:

• HVAC systems
• Chilled water systems
• Heating system
• Plumbing

Other responsibilities:

• Mentor and grow the mechanical team.
• Manage contracts and clients for MEP projects.
• Manage and quality review of deliverables and project execution (estimated 50% of workload).
• Mechanical such as HVAC, hydronic and steam systems design (estimated 50% of workload).
• Assess the requirements of projects, break them into tasks, and work with the Project Managers to determine the scope of work, budget, and staffing.Write the scope of work for mechanical or utility design based on preliminary review and meetings with the clients.
• Prepare engineering studies and schematic designs for new systems and analyze the operation of existing systems.
• Expectation to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
• Experience in engineering consulting in the agrifood, bioindustrial, F&B, and/or pharmaceutical industries.
• 8+ years of design engineering experience, preferably within the design consulting space.
• Knowledge of HVAC system design and experience with central utilities including steam, chilled water and compressed air systems.
• Solid knowledge of mechanical codes and standards including ASHRAE & ACGIH
• Familiarity with ISPE and HACCP requirements
• Proficiency in using AutoCAD & Revit