Mechanical Engineer

Mesa Associates, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Associates, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Knoxville team, focusing on piping and pressure vessel design. You will work closely with the Principal Mechanical Engineer and senior staff, performing hands-on design tasks with guidance.

The role emphasizes ASME piping codes, equipment sizing, and deliverables, with optional HVAC exposure; strong collaboration across disciplines and a proactive attitude are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (required).
• 5–10 years of piping design experience, preferably in power generation or industrial settings.
• Ability to perform design calculations and produce deliverables with minimal supervision, under senior review.
• HVAC exposure is a plus but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication across multi-discipline teams.
• Organized, curious, and proactive with problem-solving.
• Collaborative, team-first attitude with willingness to mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Perform piping design, sizing, and routing tasks under senior engineer guidance.
• Prepare designs, calculations, drawings, and specs for piping and pressure vessels.
• Support process calculations within Mechanical group (not separate process engineering).
• Conduct field walkdowns and data collection on existing piping and equipment.
• Collaborate with Principal and Senior Engineers; mentor others over time.

Skills

ASME piping codes

Stress analysis tools

Piping design

Collaboration skills

Power/Industrial experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoPIPE

Caesar II

Plant3D

AutoCAD

MicroStation

SolidWorks

Job description

We’ve got the power to energize your career and spark YOUR work/life balance through professional development and exceptional benefits. Don’t delay, plug in today for an inclusive and meaningful career. Mesa Associates, Inc. is a woman/minority-owned full-service engineering, procurement, and project management firm covering power, defense, aerospace, industrial, commercial, and municipal entities. We specialize in power generation and delivery services. We have been in the top 10 of EC&M's Top 40 Electrical Design Firms since 2012. With over 1,000 associates, we are big enough to perform, but small enough to care!

Mesa Associates is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team, working closely with our Principal Mechanical Engineer and building bench depth alongside our Senior Mechanical Engineer. This is a hands-on design role: you will be doing piping and pressure vessel design work day to day, not just supporting others, with senior guidance available along the way. Prior HVAC exposure is a plus but not required. We value a strong work ethic and a positive, coachable attitude as much as technical skill.

Core Competency: Piping & Pressure Systems Design

What We're Looking For

• Solid working knowledge of ASME B31.1/B31.3 piping codes and familiarity with ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII fundamentals
• Comfortable sizing, routing, and specifying piping for power or industrial applications, including basic material selection and wall thickness calculations
• Growing experience with piping stress analysis tools such as AutoPIPE and/or Caesar II
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Plant3D, AutoCAD, MicroStation, or SolidWorks preferred

What You'll Do

• Perform piping design, sizing, and routing tasks under senior engineer guidance
• Prepare engineering designs and supporting documents, including calculations, drawings, and specifications, for piping and pressure vessel scopes
• Support process calculations, such as flow rate, pressure drop, and line sizing, directly within the Mechanical Engineering group; Mesa does not have a separate Process Engineering function, so this work sits with Mechanical
• Perform walkdowns and collect field data on existing piping and pressure equipment

Secondary Experience: HVAC Experience (a plus, not required)

What We're Looking For

• Any exposure to industrial HVAC design, load calculations, or ductwork sizing is a plus, though not required to be considered for this role

What You'll Do

• Support HVAC-related scopes as interest and experience allow, working alongside the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Generalist)

Leadership & Team Role

• Work closely with the Principal Mechanical Engineer (Piping & Pressure Systems), who will check your work, verify code compliance, and provide mentorship and support, though you'll own and execute your own design assignments day to day
• Collaborate with the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Generalist) on shared or HVAC-adjacent scopes
• Build deep piping and pressure system design skills as the primary focus, with optional growth into HVAC over time
• Bring energy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, with the expectation of taking on more ownership and eventually mentoring junior engineers as experience grows

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (required)
• 5 to 10 years of experience in piping design, ideally in power generation or industrial environments
• Comfortable performing design calculations and producing deliverables independently, with senior review
• HVAC design exposure is a plus, not required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; works well across multi-discipline project teams
• Well organized, curious, and quick to spot issues and offer practical solutions
• A positive, team-first attitude and a genuine willingness to pitch in wherever the team needs it

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.

Behaviors

Detail Oriented

Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

Education

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering.

Experience

5 years:

Experience in piping design, ideally in power generation or industrial environments

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Prof Engineering (PE)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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