Senior Mechanical Engineer

Ghafari Associates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

Disability

401(k) match

Educational Assistance

Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

8 Paid Holidays

Job summary

Ghafari Associates in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design of HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection for new construction and renovations. You will develop construction drawings and specifications, coordinate with project teams, and mentor junior staff to ensure code-compliant, high-quality deliverables.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering, professional registration, 15+ years of experience, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop project scope, mechanical budget, constraints and design approach with project manager and/or client.
• Communicate with owner or owner’s representative in meetings.
• Develop feasibility studies and project cost estimates.
• Maintain knowledge of latest building codes and standards.
• Lead design of mechanical systems including HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection.
• Perform and/or review calculations and energy models; design mechanical systems.
• Create engineering documents using CAD (Revit/AutoCAD) or manually with junior staff.
• Edit or draft project specifications.
• Conduct field measurements at construction site.
• Review drawings for omissions, errors, and code compliance.
• Review submittals for design content and specify actions to reach compliance.
• Maintain organized project files.
• Prepare project file updates, transmittals, letters, reports.
• Assist with standards review and master specifications.
• Perform production and quality monitoring of construction documents.
• Develop and mentor less experienced staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned

Skills

Revit

AutoCAD

Energy modeling

Bluebeam

BIM360

Carrier HAP

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Architectural Engineering or related field

Professional Registration

LEED Accredited (preferred)

Tools

Trane Trace 700

Carrier HAP

BIM 360

Job description

General Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide, revise or extend mechanical systems for new construction and/or renovation of industrial, commercial or institutional structures as requested by the client. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will develop construction drawings and specifications which address the installation, integration, interconnection and control of mechanical components within the standard building codes.

Job Description

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide, revise or extend mechanical systems for new construction and/or renovation of industrial, commercial or institutional structures as requested by the client. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will develop construction drawings and specifications which address the installation, integration, interconnection and control of mechanical components within the standard building codes.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and establish project scope, mechanical budget, necessary constraints and design approach with project manager and/or client
• Proper communication skills to be involved in design team / owner meetings and communicate directly with the owner and / or owner’s representative
• Develop feasibility studies and project cost estimates
• Maintains working knowledge of latest building codes and standards in the industry
• Formulate and lead design of mechanical systems including HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection
• Perform and/or review calculations and energy models; formulate design of mechanical systems including HVAC, piping, plumbing, and fire protection.
• Create engineering documents using computer aided design (CAD) technology utilizing Autodesk (Revit and AutoCAD) or manually with support from more junior staff
• Edit or draft project specifications
• Conduct field measuring and checking at the construction site
• Review drawings for omissions, errors, interferences, overall quality, content accuracy, compliance with standards and codes
• Review product submittals for design content, specify action to be taken to reach specification compliance
• Maintain organized project file containing project calculations, correspondence, appropriate reference materials, etc.
• Prepare project file updates, transmittals, letters, reports, requests for reproduction services
• Assist with checking, standards review, and maintenance of master specifications
• Perform production and quality monitoring of construction documents per company standards individually and or for less experienced staff
• Develop and mentor less experienced staff
• Perform related duties as assigned

Employment Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field required
• Professional Registration
• LEED Accredited professional preferred

Experience

• 15 + years of related experience in mechanical engineering (HVAC/building systems)
• Experience as a lead engineer on projects of varying sizes

Skills/Competencies

• Proficient with Revit and AutoCAD, Trane Trace 700 or other building energy calculation software, and Bluebeam
• Proficiency in BIM360 and Carrier HAP a bonus
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail

Physical Requirements

• This position requires the ability to perform the essential job functions contained in this job description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements:
• Ability to spend most of a workday sitting or standing while working on computer at worksite
• Ability to drive to a different worksite
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements

Benefits

At Ghafari, we offer a robust benefits package designed to support your overall wellbeing. In addition to a competitive salary, eligible employees receive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Teladoc, Employee Assistance Program, Professional License Reimbursement, Educational Assistance, Voluntary Pet Insurance, Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, and 8 Paid Holidays. The annual base salary range for this position is $115,000.00 to $135,000.00. Individual pay is based on factors such as relevant experience, job-related skills, education, and training.

About Us

At Ghafari Associates, we don’t just design buildings—we help shape the future of the industries we serve. As a global leader in architecture, engineering, and consulting, we partner with clients to deliver forward-thinking solutions that transform how people work, manufacture, and connect.

Our strength lies in our people. We bring together curious minds, technical experts, and creative problem-solvers who thrive on collaboration and innovation. Whether supporting major industrial programs or advancing federal and commercial projects, our teams are empowered to make a meaningful impact—both for our clients and within our communities.

We are committed to investing in our employees’ financial, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as their professional growth. Through robust training, licensure support, internships, mentorships, and tuition reimbursement, we provide the resources our people need to build rewarding careers while making a lasting difference in the communities we are proud to call home.

Ghafari Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. As a federal contractor, Ghafari Associates maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in accordance with applicable laws.

Pay Transparency

Ghafari Associates will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Accommodation

Ghafari Associates Is Also Committed To Providing Reasonable Accommodation To Individuals With Disabilities In The Employment Application Process. If You Need An Accommodation Due To a Disability To Use Our Online System To Apply For a Position, You May Also Apply For Positions In The Following Ways

• By fax at: 313.436.8624, Attn: Human Resources
• By mail at: 17101 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126, Attn: Human Resources
• In person at: 17101 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126
• By email at: [e-mail]

If there are any questions about the accommodations offered above, please contact 313.441.3000 for assistance.