Mechanical Engineer

Mesa Associates, Inc; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Associates, Inc. in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team. This hands-on role focuses on piping and pressure vessel design, working closely with senior engineers and mentoring as you grow.

You'll perform sizing, routing, calculations, and prepare drawings and specifications for piping projects in power generation or industrial settings. HVAC exposure is a plus, and strong teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• 5–10 years piping design experience in power generation or industrial environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; works well across multi-discipline project teams.
• HVAC design exposure is a plus, not required.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Piping design

ASME codes

Caesar II / AutoPIPE

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Plant3D

AutoCAD

MicroStation

SolidWorks

Job description

GIG - General / Generation, Industrial & Govt

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

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.