Mechanical Designer - Industrial, Process and Agribusiness

KFI Engineers; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 38,572 - 49,593; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Virtual health services

HSA/HRA for HDHP

Flexible Spending Account

401(k) plan

Disability & Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Volunteer Time Off

Company Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Bereavement Leave

Voluntary insurance benefits

Job summary

KFI Engineers is seeking a Mechanical Designer I in St. Paul, MN.

You will produce AutoCAD Plant 3D and Revit drawings, develop mechanical design fundamentals, and collaborate with multi-discipline teams to deliver construction documents. This entry-level role focuses on HVAC, piping, and plumbing design while building essential CAD skills and project execution capabilities.

Qualifications

• AAS degree in Mechanical Design/Drafting or equivalent experience.
• 0–4 years of mechanical design experience.
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.
• Experience in agribusiness plants, boiler/chiller plants, manufacturing, food manufacturing/clean systems, underground tunnels, or skid design.
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or Revit.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Customer service orientation for internal/external clients.
• Represent the company professionally.
• Travel up to 10% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Layout and design mechanical systems for HVAC, piping, and plumbing.
• Prepare General Arrangement Drawings, P&IDs, and construction documents.
• Create 3D models and piping isometric drawings.
• Perform redlines using AutoCAD and Revit.
• Create schematic-level mechanical room layouts with guidance.
• Coordinate project design with other engineering disciplines.
• Provide CAD/design training and support to team members.
• Participate in Smart 3D Design projects under supervision.
• Size and select components for mechanical systems.
• Conduct basic duct and pipe sizing for air and water systems.
• Identify valve types for mechanical systems.
• Assist with field surveys under supervision.
• Support project execution with filing, printing, and admin tasks.
• On-the-job QA checks and design standards training.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivation

Team collaboration

Customer service orientation

Professional conduct

Travel readiness

Education

AAS Degree in Mechanical Design/Drafting

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Job description

Position Specification

Position: Mechanical Designer I

Department: Industrial, Process & Agribusiness (IPA)

Reporting Relationship: Lead Designer, IPA

Company Background

KFI Engineers is a recognized industry leader in facility infrastructure design and performance. Since 1996, our culture of collaboration and unique capabilities have allowed us to make a difference in the way infrastructure and processing projects are delivered.

Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with numerous regional offices throughout the United States, and a team of hundreds of professionals, we offer opportunities to continue your career with mentorship programs, career growth support, and continued education. With KFI, we find a way to provide creative solutions to unique projects while providing the same care we would expect if we were the client. For more information about KFI Engineers and our culture, please visit www.kfi-eng.com.

Position Overview & Responsibilities

The Mechanical Designer I plays a key role in the successful execution of projects, focusing primarily on the production of AutoCAD Plant 3D and Revit drawings and laying a strong foundation for understanding mechanical design fundamentals. As an entry-level position, the Mechanical Designer - Level I is responsible for producing quality construction documents and coordinating design work with other engineering disciplines. This role will involve working on various aspects of mechanical design, including HVAC, piping, and plumbing systems, while developing essential skills in CAD software and project execution. The successful candidate is expected to work within a team environment, collaborating effectively with other project team members to achieve project objectives.

• Layout and design mechanical systems for assigned projects, including HVAC, piping, and plumbing systems.
• Prepare General Arrangement Drawings, P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams), and construction documents.
• Create 3D models and piping isometric drawings.
• Perform redlines using AutoCAD and Revit independently.
• Create schematic-level mechanical room equipment layouts (with guidance).
• Maintain consistent work quality across all projects.
• Perform accurate design calculations and measurements.
• Coordinate project design with other engineering disciplines.
• Collaborate with others as a CAD and design resource and provide training and support to team members when assigned.
• Participate in Smart 3D Design projects under supervision.
• Size and select components for mechanical systems.
• Conduct basic duct and pipe sizing for air and water systems.
• Identify various valve types for mechanical systems.
• Conduct construction observations.
• Assist with field surveys under supervision.
• Support project execution by assisting with filing, printing, and other administrative tasks.
• Engage in on-the-job training to develop skills in QA self-checks, design standards, and project execution basics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• An AAS Degree in Mechanical Design/Drafting or equivalent work experience.
• 0-4 years of work experience in mechanical design or related field.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without the need for work sponsorship now or in the future.
• Internship and/or working experience in one or more of the following:
  • Agribusiness process plants
  • Central boiler and/or chiller plants
  • Facility manufacturing
  • Food Manufacturing / Clean Systems
  • Underground tunnel distribution systems
  • Mechanical equipment / skid design.
• Experience in AutoCAD and/or Revit.
• Capable of operating with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others.
• Customer service orientation to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction (internal and external) for services provided.
• Represent the company in a professional manner.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without the need for work sponsorship now or in the future.
• Travel: May include up to 10% domestic travel.

Preferred

• Field experience is desirable.
• Experience in a consulting and/or construction capacity.
• Experience with 3D modeling software, particularly AutoCAD Plant 3D.
• Basic understanding of other disciplines such as Electrical and Structural Engineering.

Working Conditions

• Some work locations will feature the tough terrain typical of construction sites or require lifting or moving field testing equipment.

Core Behaviors

Accountable

• Demonstrates persistence in the achievement of goals.
• Acts with a sense of urgency.
• Takes responsibility for own actions.

Business Focus

• Demonstrates agility, adapts well to changes.
• Works well under pressure.
• Meets commitments to internal/external customers.

Project Execution

• Plans projects well, managing last-minute rushes and disruptions.
• Balances Speed and Quality.
• Looks for improvement in our delivery, tools and processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Demonstrates Respect for Others

• Keeps others adequately informed.
• Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
• Adapts communication style and method based on audience and situation.

Team Player

• Balances team and individual responsibilities.
• Shares expertise with others.
• Inspires respect and trust.

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance coverage
• Virtual health services
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for HDHP enrollees with KFI contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) plan
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off to include Earned Sick and Safe Time in accordance with state laws
• Paid Volunteer Time Off
• Company Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Bereavement Leave
• Voluntary benefits offered include life, accident, critical illness coverage

Compensation

$28.00 - $36.00 per hour. The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual qualifications, experience, work location, and education. This position is eligible for an annual bonus.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans and Disabilities