Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager

HDR, Inc.; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Mechanical/Chemical Section Manager to lead the Michigan Power Generation Mechanical/Chemical Section. You will oversee design activities, perform calculations, and mentor staff in HDR's employee‑owned culture.

Applicants should have 10+ years in mechanical/chemical engineering, strong leadership and communication skills, and experience with power generation projects and relevant software. The role interacts with teams across HDR’s offices in Michigan, including Ann Arbor,

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years mechanical/chemical engineering experience.
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• Commitment to HDR's employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical/chemical expertise in consulting projects.
• Perform and review design calculations and prepare deliverables.
• Plan, schedule, and lead work for design projects.
• Collaborate with engineers and designers from other disciplines.
• Manage operations of the Michigan Mechanical/Chemical Section including staff.
• Develop proposals and man-hour budgets.
• Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings.
• Monitor codes, regulations, client standards; update design standards.
• Support HDR WorkShare culture across Power Generation practice.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

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.

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 BusinessClass: Power Generation Job Posting: Oct 7, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.