Mechanical Engineer

KLA Industries; Johnstown (Cambria County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Industries, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer for heavy industrial steel operations.

You will troubleshoot and optimize mechanical and hydraulic systems on site, support equipment upgrades, and lead capital projects from concept through completion. The role requires 10+ years in mechanical engineering, experience with melting equipment or steelmaking operations, and the ability to coordinate with maintenance, operations, vendors, and contractors while maintaining safety and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in steelmaking or heavy industry.
• Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical equipment, hydraulics, material handling, and plant systems.
• Experience with melting equipment, furnaces, or steelmaking operations is a plus.
• Experience with large baghouse, dust collection, or environmental systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects, equipment installations, budgets, and schedules.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to identify root causes with practical solutions.
• Ability to work effectively with trades, maintenance, vendors, contractors, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, improve, and optimize mechanical and hydraulic systems across the facility.
• Lead reliability and continuous improvement initiatives to boost uptime and efficiency.
• Support melting and steelmaking equipment upgrades, installations, and troubleshooting.
• Provide engineering expertise for baghouse and environmental systems for reliable operation and compliance.
• Lead capital and facility improvement projects from concept to commissioning.
• Develop scopes, specifications, bid packages, estimates, and schedules for projects.
• Evaluate suppliers/contractors, review proposals, and oversee outside resources.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and vendors to keep projects moving.
• Manage projects to budgets, schedules, safety requirements, and performance goals.
• Assist leadership with specialized engineering projects and strategic initiatives.
• Provide hands-on support during installations, shutdowns, and plant improvements.
• Travel locally and internationally as needed for projects and evaluations.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Mechanical Engineer – Heavy Industrial / Steel Operations

Are you a hands-on Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex equipment challenges and seeing your work make an immediate impact on plant performance?

Our client is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to take a key role in supporting and improving mechanical systems within a demanding steel/heavy industrial environment. This is an opportunity to work on significant equipment installations, facility upgrades, reliability improvements, and capital projects that directly impact safety, productivity, efficiency, and uptime.

We’re looking for someone who is just as comfortable out on the plant floor troubleshooting equipment as they are developing specifications, managing contractors, and leading major projects from concept through completion.

Experience with steelmaking, melting equipment, furnaces, or similar heavy industrial equipment is highly desirable.

What You’ll Do

• Partner closely with Maintenance and Operations to troubleshoot, improve, and optimize mechanical and hydraulic systems throughout the facility.
• Identify equipment issues and lead reliability and continuous improvement initiatives designed to increase uptime, performance, and efficiency.
• Support and manage melting and steelmaking equipment, including upgrades, modifications, installations, and troubleshooting.
• Provide engineering expertise for large industrial baghouse and environmental systems, helping ensure reliable operation and regulatory compliance.
• Lead capital and facility improvement projects from initial concept and engineering through installation, commissioning, and completion.
• Develop detailed project scopes, specifications, bid packages, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Evaluate equipment suppliers and contractors, review proposals, negotiate contracts, and oversee outside resources.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and other internal teams to keep projects moving forward.
• Manage projects to established budgets, schedules, safety requirements, and performance expectations.
• Assist the Director of Steelmaking Technology with specialized engineering projects and strategic initiatives.
• Provide hands‑on technical support during equipment installations, shutdowns, troubleshooting, and plant improvement projects.
• Travel locally and internationally as needed to support projects, equipment evaluations, and installations.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety, ensuring projects and engineering activities comply with all company policies and regulatory requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably within steelmaking, metals, foundry, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of industrial mechanical equipment, hydraulics, material handling, and plant systems.
• Experience with melting equipment, furnaces, or steelmaking operations is a strong plus.
• Experience with large baghouse, dust collection, or environmental systems is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects, equipment installations, contractors, budgets, and schedules.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop practical, long-term solutions.
• Ability to work effectively with everyone from skilled trades and maintenance personnel to vendors, contractors, plant leadership, and senior management.

Why This Opportunity?

This isn't a desk‑only engineering position. It's an opportunity to get into the operation, solve real problems, lead meaningful projects, and see the results of your work firsthand.

For an experienced Mechanical Engineer who enjoys heavy industry, complex equipment, and the challenge of making a plant run safer, smarter, and more reliably, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact.