Senior Mechanical Engineer

Vibehackers; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellness program support

401(k) with company match

PE licensure and certification exam

Professional development funding

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Vibehackers seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead complex mechanical design for semiconductor tool installations, owning end-to-end systems from utility matrices to exhaust. You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate across disciplines, and provide hands-on construction support with access to AI tools.

The role emphasizes code compliance and design reviews, with responsibility for delivering drawings, calculations, and reports in a fast-paced, contamination-controlled environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Active PE license or eligibility by reciprocity within six months of hire.
• 8+ years of progressive mechanical systems design experience in semiconductor or contamination-controlled environments.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for mechanical design.
• Working knowledge of ASHRAE standards, NFPA 90A, IMC/IBC and applicable codes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the mechanical authority on projects, set design direction, resolve conflicts, and ensure system integrity from concept through construction.
• Own end-to-end mechanical design for tool installations, including utility matrices, POU connections, and subfab/cleanroom modifications.
• Design and specify HVAC systems (AHUs, VAV, chillers, boilers, pumps) and process utilities (UPW/RO/DI, process cooling/heating).
• Design specialized exhaust, chemical delivery, and drain systems for hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Perform thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses and develop control narratives.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentorship

Cross-discipline coordination

Construction support

Project documentation

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license or eligibility

Tools

AutoCAD

ASHRAE/NFPA/NFPA 90A/IMC/IBC standards familiarity

Job description

Uses vibe-coding platforms and industry LLMs as part of the workflow; AI tools are provided to boost productivity and streamline design tasks.

About the Role

Lead mechanical design and systems engineering for semiconductor tool installation projects, owning end-to-end mechanical systems from utility matrices and UPW to HVAC and hazardous material exhaust. Serve as a technical leader and mentor, ensuring code compliance, cross-discipline coordination, and construction-phase support.

Job Description

Role

Senior Mechanical Engineer responsible for leading complex mechanical design efforts for semiconductor tool installation projects. The role includes system-level design, technical leadership, mentorship of junior engineers, cross-discipline coordination, and hands-on construction support, with access to AI tools and vibe-coding platforms to enhance productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the mechanical authority on projects, set design direction, resolve technical conflicts, and ensure system integrity from concept through construction.
• Own end-to-end mechanical design for tool installations, including utility matrices, point-of-use (POU) connections (PCW, exhaust, specialty gases, chemical drains), and subfab/cleanroom modifications.
• Design and specify complex HVAC systems (AHUs, VAV, chillers, boilers, pump hydraulics, exhaust ventilation) and process utility systems (UPW/RO/DI, process cooling/heating).
• Design specialized exhaust, chemical delivery, and drain systems for hazardous production materials, ensuring compliance with ASME, ASHRAE, NFPA, SMACNA, and SEMI standards.
• Perform thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses; develop sequences of operation and contribute to control system narratives.
• Validate designs against state/local codes and relevant standards (ASHRAE, NFPA 90A, SEMI), and apply computational/code-based validation methods.
• Drive coordination across electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural teams; lead design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability reviews.
• Provide construction support including RFI responses, submittal reviews, site inspections, field verifications, as-built documentation, and system start-up oversight.
• Develop and review project deliverables: drawings, specifications, calculations, and reports.
• Mentor junior engineers, contribute to internal standards, lessons-learned, and promote a safety-first design philosophy.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Arizona or eligibility to obtain by reciprocity within six months of hire; responsible charge and stamping authority required.
• 8+ years of progressive mechanical systems design experience for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, microelectronics, or other contamination-controlled manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in HVAC and process utility systems design.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for mechanical design.
• Working knowledge of ASHRAE standards, NFPA 90A, IMC/IBC, and applicable Arizona state and local mechanical and fire codes.
• Proven ability to lead multi-discipline coordination and communicate technical information clearly to clients and project teams.
• Experience delivering mechanical design packages (drawings, specifications, calculations, reports) for complex industrial or high-tech facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with semiconductor fab tool installation design (utility matrices, POU connections, HPM exhaust systems, UPW infrastructure).
• Experience leading HAZOP studies, constructability reviews, and design-phase risk assessments.
• Familiarity with SEMI standards (S2, S8, F15, etc.).
• Track record of mentoring junior engineers or leading small engineering teams.

AI & Tools

• Role includes access to industry LLMs and vibe-coding platforms to support productivity and integration of advanced tools into workflows.
• Salary: $130,000-160,000 per year (commensurate with location, education, and experience).
• Leadership bonus program and ownership/investment opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; wellness program support.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Professional development funding, PE licensure and certification exam support, and conference attendance support.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Flexible scheduling within project commitments.

Skills

Mechanical Design System Design HVAC Design Process Utility Systems Technical Leadership Mentorship Cross-disciplinary Coordination Construction Support Codes & Standards Compliance Thermodynamic/Hydraulic/Psychrometric Analysis Control Sequences/Control Narratives Project Documentation Risk Assessment Communication

Experience Level

Senior

USD 130,000 - 160,000/year

Employment Type

Full-time

• Competitive salary ($130,000-160,000)
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Wellness program support
• 401(k) with company match
• PE licensure and certification exam support