Senior Mechanical Designer - Utilities and Central Energy

KFI Engineers; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays

Job summary

KFI Engineers seeks a Senior Mechanical Designer to join the Utilities & Central Energy group. The role focuses on producing AutoCAD Plant 3D and Revit drawings for district energy projects, coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams, and mentoring junior designers.

The candidate will lead design tasks, manage project drawings, and support field activities with a proactive, quality-first mindset in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of design experience.
• Expertise in 3D design, mechanical general arrangements, piping systems, and piping & instrumentation diagrams.
• Experience reviewing mechanical equipment drawings.
• Strong leadership and independent work capability.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Create comprehensive industrial project drawings (General Arrangements, P&IDs, 3D models, piping, isometrics).
• Design complete systems for assigned projects and manage drawing documents.
• Coordinate work with stakeholders and manage client relationships.
• Schedule and lead design meetings and reviews; represent KFI at project meetings.
• Plan and execute field work and site visits.
• Take ownership of tasks and drive to completion; seek help when needed.
• Estimate project hours, scope, and contribute to budgets and schedules.
• Provide leadership; mentor junior designers and guide project teams.
• Lead entire projects from inception to completion; drive process improvements.
• Maintain a proactive approach to work and continuously improve skills.

Skills

10+ years design experience

3D design

P&ID

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring juniors

Microsoft Office

Travel up to 10%

Tools

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Revit

Job description

Senior Mechanical Designer - Utilities and Central Energy

vision insurance, flexible benefit account, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)

Sep 14, 2026

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Position: Senior Mechanical Designer

Department: Utilities & Central Energy (UCE)

Reporting Relationship: Lead Designer, UCE

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 .

The Utilities and Central Energy (UCE) group specializes in large central plant work, particularly for district energy serving cities, universities, hospitals, and manufacturing campuses. Our expertise covers both energy production and distribution. We have expertise in sustainable energy production, simple and combined cycle, combined heat and power, and medium voltage power. Our clients look for us to lead large complex projects from concept to completion, including startup, check-out, and commissioning.

The Senior Mechanical Designer (level IV) plays a key role in the successful execution of projects, focusing primarily on the production of AutoCAD, Plant 3D, and Revit drawings. The Senior Mechanical Designer is responsible for producing quality construction documents and coordinating design work with other engineering disciplines. The successful candidate will also be expected to work within a team environment and collaborate with other project team members.

The Senior Mechanical Designer position is an advanced role focused on taking on significant responsibility in design tasks with an emphasis on independent work. This role involves completing design documents for assigned projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to project management.

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Create comprehensive industrial project drawings, including General Arrangements, PIDs, 3D models, piping, and Isometrics.
• Design complete systems for assigned projects, managing the preparation of drawing documents.
• Coordinate work with stakeholders, providing technical support and work direction while managing client relationships.
• Schedule and lead design meetings, drawing reviews, and act as a KFI Representative at Project Meetings.
• Plan and execute field work, gathering accurate information and preparing thoroughly for job site visits.
• Take ownership of tasks, bringing them to completion while seeking assistance when needed.
• Estimate project hours, scope of work, and contribute to budget and schedule creation.
• Provide leadership, guiding the efforts and development of other designers, including on-the-job training.
• Lead entire projects, demonstrating project management skills from inception to completion.
• Maintain a proactive approach to work, continuously improving processes and technical skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum of 10+ years of design experience.
• Expertise in 3D design, mechanical general arrangements, piping systems, and piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Experience in the review of mechanical equipment drawings.
• Demonstrated excellence in sophisticated layouts, measuring, technical knowledge of systems and codes.
• Ability to complete contract plans for small or large mechanical projects.
• Ability to perform all design tasks not requiring engineering professional judgment independently.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently on complex projects.
• Highly motivated professional with a "can do" attitude, team-oriented approach, and strong work ethic.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, maintain accurate records, and manage information effectively.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with others and represent the company professionally.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including the capacity to guide and develop junior team members.
• Proficiency with computer technology and business software, including Microsoft Office.
• Travel: May include up to 10% domestic travel

Preferred

• Proficiency with AutoCAD Plant 3D software and/or Revit.
• 3+ years of industrial plant design experience.

Working Conditions

• Some work locations will feature the tough terrain typical of construction sites.

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.

At KFI, our comprehensive benefit program provides our employees with the resources to support their health, wellness and financial well-being. Full-Time employees have access to:

• 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
• Company Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Voluntary benefits offered include life, accident, critical illness coverage

Compensation : $50.70 - $63.40 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, and 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