Mechanical Designer (Entry Level) - Summer 2027

Ghafari Associates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghafari Associates in Chicago seeks a Summer 2027 New Graduate Mechanical Designer to assist in designing mechanical systems for new construction and renovations across industrial, commercial and institutional facilities.

Under supervision, you will develop construction drawings and specifications, perform field measurements, and support the integration of HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection systems using Autodesk Revit/AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering preferred.
• Prior internship in building design consulting preferred.
• EIT license preferred.

Responsibilities

• With assistance, perform calculations, formulate design and layout of mechanical systems including HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection
• Create engineering documents using CAD technology utilizing Autodesk Revit/AutoCAD
• With assistance, edit or draft project specifications
• Conduct field measuring and checking at the construction site
• Review drawings for omissions, errors, overall quality, content accuracy, compliance with standards and codes
• Review product submittals for design content (shop drawings), specify action to be taken to reach specification compliance
• Maintain organized project file containing project calculations, correspondence, appropriate reference materials, etc.
• With assistance, select and source equipment
• Coordinate project with other disciplines
• Communicate scope changes to department manager and Project Manager
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

CAD drafting

BIM

Heat transfer

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Architectural Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Revit

AutoCAD

Trane Trace 3D Plus

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

Job Description:

This posting is for Summer 2027 New Graduate opportunities.

General Summary:

The Mechanical Designer, with some supervision from the Manager of Mechanical Engineering, will provide or extend mechanical systems design for new construction and/or renovation of industrial, commercial and institutional facilities as requested by the client. The Mechanical Designer will develop construction drawings and specifications which address the installation, integration, interconnection and control of mechanical components within the standard building codes and will work independently on smaller, less complex projects.

Essential Job Functions:

• With assistance, perform calculations, formulate design and layout of mechanical systems including HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection
• Create engineering documents using computer aided design (CAD) technology utilizing Autodesk (Revit and AutoCAD) or manually with support from more junior staff
• With assistance, edit or draft project specifications
• Conduct field measuring and checking at the construction site
• Review drawings for omissions, errors, overall quality, content accuracy, compliance with standards and codes
• Review product submittals for design content (shop drawings), specify action to be taken to reach specification compliance
• Maintain organized project file containing project calculations, correspondence, appropriate reference materials, etc.
• With assistance, select and source equipment
• Coordinate project with other disciplines
• Communicate scope changes to department manager and Project Manager
• Perform other duties as assigned

Employment Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field preferred

Experience:

• Prior internship in the building design consulting industry preferred
• Engineer in Training (EIT) License preferred

Skills / Competencies:

• Basic knowledge in the use of Building Information Modeling (Building Information Model) software (Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD)
• Strong technical and analytical skills including knowledge of principles relating to heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics as they relate to mechanical systems design for buildings
• Familiar with Trane Trace 3D Plus and Bluebeam Revu
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail

About Us

At Ghafari Associates, we don’t just design buildings—we help shape the future of the industries we serve. As a global leader in architecture, engineering, and consulting, we partner with clients to deliver forward-thinking solutions that transform how people work, manufacture, and connect.

Our strength lies in our people. We bring together curious minds, technical experts, and creative problem-solvers who thrive on collaboration and innovation. Whether supporting major industrial programs or advancing federal and commercial projects, our teams are empowered to make a meaningful impact—both for our clients and within our communities.

We are committed to investing in our employees’ financial, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as their professional growth. Through robust training, licensure support, internships, mentorships, and tuition reimbursement, we provide the resources our people need to build rewarding careers while making a lasting difference in the communities we are proud to call home.

Ghafari Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. As a federal contractor, Ghafari Associates maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in accordance with applicable laws.

Pay Transparency

Ghafari Associates will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Accommodation

Ghafari Associates is also committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability to use our online system to apply for a position, you may also apply for positions in the following ways:

• By fax at: 313.436.8624, Attn: Human Resources
• By mail at: 17101 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126, Attn: Human Resources
• In person at: 17101 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126
• By email at: [e-mail]

If there are any questions about the accommodations offered above, please contact 313.441.3000 for assistance.