Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager

HDR, Inc.; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Michigan is seeking a Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager to lead the Power Generation group in Ann Arbor. The role involves design leadership, consulting assignments, and staff oversight across the Michigan Area Power Generation Mechanical/Chemical Section.

You will guide design calculations, prepare technical memos, and ensure quality control while mentoring staff and driving growth in capabilities. This is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in Ann Arbor.

Qualifications

• 10+ years Mechanical / Chemical engineering experience.
• Experience with pipe stress analysis and design calculations.
• Experience developing design specifications and construction drawings for power generation projects.
• Understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics; pipe stress analysis preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical/chemical expertise for consulting projects.
• Perform and check design calculations and prepare deliverables (drawings, specs, memos).
• Plan, schedule, and lead work for design and other projects.
• Manage Michigan Area Power Generation Mechanical/Chemical Section operations, staffing, workload, and quality control.
• Develop proposals and man-hour budgets for scope of work.
• Lead team meetings and monitor codes/regulations to update standards.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Chemical engineering

Power generation

Engineering leadership

Project management

Design calculations

AutoCAD

AFT Fathom

AutoPipe

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Professional registration (license) may be required

Tools

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

AFT Fathom

AutoPipe

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you'll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You'll work side‑by‑side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR is seeking a Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager to join our Michigan-based Power Generation team.

Our services encompass Owner's Engineer (OE) work for large generation and central energy facilities, as well as consulting and design for distributed generation, district energy, renewables and microgrid applications.

Experience with pipe stress analysis, simple cycle, combined cycle, distributed generation, RICE, CHP, and renewables projects is preferred.

The primary role of the Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager is as a Senior Power Generation Mechanical/Chemical Engineer supporting design, OE, and consulting assignments for clients as a lead mechanical engineer, project engineering manager, or project manager; the secondary role (but equally important), is personnel management with responsibility for operations of the Mechanical/Chemical Section, which encompasses: strategic growth of the size and capabilities of the group, staff recruiting/development/retention, staff workload management, quality control and marketing support.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide mechanical/chemical expertise in support of consulting projects.
• Perform and/or check design calculations and prepare deliverables in support of design projects, including construction drawings, bid specifications, pipe stress analyses, mechanical equipment sizing calculations, technical memos, bid evaluations, code reviews, feasibility studies, reports and cost estimates.
• Plan, schedule, and lead work for design and other projects.
• Work in a collaborative manner involving engineers and designers from other disciplines.
• Manage the operational activities of the Michigan Area Power Generation Mechanical/Chemical Section including staff retention, recruiting, mentoring, assigning staff to projects, maintaining accurate workload forecasts, and quality control of deliverables.
• Develop proposals and man-hour budgets with respect to mechanical/chemical scope of work.
• Schedule and conduct regularly held one-on-one meetings with direct reports and also team meetings to discuss productivity, workload, and quality control.
• Monitor changes in applicable codes, regulations, and client standards; and subsequently implement changes into the Mechanical/Chemical Section's design standards, procedures, and deliverables as needed.
• Actively support HDR's WorkShare culture through technical collaboration across HDR's Power Generation practice interfacing with peers in other relevant teams and offices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• * 10+ years Mechanical / Chemical engineering experience
• * Significant experience with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, AFT Fathom, AutoPipe, and similar relevant analytical software
• * Experience in developing design calculations, technical specifications, and preparing construction drawings for power generation projects.
• * Understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, and pipe stress analysis preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Michigan-Ann Arbor

Other Locations: United States-Michigan-Lansing, United States-Michigan-Detroit

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Power Generation

Job Posting: Oct 7, 2026