Senior Mechanical Engineer

Mesa Associates, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Plan

401(k) Matching

Section 125 Plan

Long Term Care Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Fitness Center Reimbursement

Annual Bonus

9/80 Schedule

FSA/HSA Options

Job summary

Mesa Associates, Inc. seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to serve as a generalist across HVAC, utility systems, and piping. You'll design HVAC, plant utilities, and piping scopes, mentoring mid-career and junior staff as needs shift across Generation, Industrial, and Government projects.

The role is hands-on and requires versatility, practical problem-solving, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering; PE license required.
• 10+ years breadth across HVAC, utilities, and piping design.
• Hands-on design and calculation experience across multiple mechanical disciplines.
• Able to move between scopes as project needs shift.
• Experience coaching and developing staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication with clients.

Responsibilities

• Perform HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, and duct design.
• Design and specify utility and piping systems for projects.
• Coordinate with civil, electrical, and controls disciplines.
• Support proposals and client technical discussions.
• Mentor junior engineers and maintain project documentation.

Skills

HVAC design

Piping design

Utility systems

Mentorship

Project coordination

ASME/Code knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE License

Tools

Plant3D

AutoCAD

MicroStation

SolidWorks

Job description

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 Senior Mechanical Engineer to serve as a true generalist across our Mechanical Engineering department, delivering projects for our Generation, Industrial, and Government clients. This is a hands‑on technical role: you will personally design HVAC systems, plant utilities, and piping scopes as project needs shift, without being boxed into a single specialty. You'll serve as a go‑to resource who advises and mentors mid-career and junior staff across whatever scope you're supporting. We're looking for someone versatile, approachable, and just as comfortable picking up a new type of scope as sticking with a familiar one.

Technical Expertise: HVAC, Utility Systems & Piping

What We're Looking For

• Expert, hands‑on knowledge of industrial HVAC design, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, exhaust, and specialized environmental control for equipment rooms, control rooms, switchgear rooms, and process spaces
• Demonstrated ability to perform heating and cooling load calculations, size ductwork and equipment, and select chillers, air handling units (AHUs), fans, and dampers
• Strong working knowledge of ASHRAE standards, the International Mechanical Code (IMC), and related codes as applied to industrial and power generation facilities
• Hands‑on knowledge of mechanical design codes including ASME, ANSI, API, and NFPA, with a strong understanding of ASME B31.1/B31.3 piping codes and ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, API 650, and API 620
• Experience performing detailed stress analysis of piping systems, custom piping components, or fabrication assemblies using AutoPIPE and/or CAESAR II
• Proficient with Plant3D, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and SolidWorks across HVAC, utility, and piping layouts, routing, and equipment coordination
• Strong knowledge of power generation types, including coal, gas, and hydro, and how HVAC, utility, and piping systems support each
• Working knowledge of utility systems, the supporting infrastructure that keeps plant equipment running (as distinct from HVAC or main process equipment), including:
  • Compressed air systems: supply instrument air and service air for pneumatic tools, instrumentation, and control valves
  • Cooling water systems: raw and closed‑loop cooling water and cooling towers that remove heat from process equipment, condensers, and bearings
  • Potable water systems: provide clean water supply for facility and personnel use
  • Hydraulic systems: deliver pressurized fluid power for valve actuators, cranes, and similar equipment
  • Lubricating systems: supply oil or lubricant to pumps, turbines, compressors, and other rotating equipment to reduce wear

What You'll Do

• Personally perform HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, and ductwork design for assigned projects, from concept through issued‑for‑construction
• Support the design of utility systems as needed, including compressed air, cooling water, cooling towers, potable water, hydraulic, and lubricating systems
• Support piping design tasks as needed, including layout, routing, and basic sizing, working alongside engineers working on Piping & Pressure Systems
• Perform process calculations, such as flow rate and pressure drop, 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 detailed field data across HVAC, utility, and piping equipment to support scoping
• Move fluidly between HVAC, utility, and piping assignments based on department and project needs

Leadership & Team Role

• Own deliverables directly across HVAC, utility, and piping‑support work, in addition to reviewing and advising on the work of others
• Work alongside junior and mid‑career engineers, offering input, coaching, and mentorship across whichever scope you're supporting
• Coordinate directly with other disciplines, including civil/structural, electrical, and controls, on integration‑heavy scopes
• Support proposal development and client‑facing technical discussions across HVAC, utility, and piping scopes
• Bring an open‑door, team‑oriented, versatile attitude that makes it easy for department engineers to ask questions, regardless of the topic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and PE License (required)
• 10+ years of experience with genuine breadth across HVAC, utility systems, and piping design, ideally in power generation, industrial, or facilities environments
• Demonstrated, current hands‑on design and calculation experience across multiple mechanical disciplines, not solely project oversight
• Comfortable moving between different types of mechanical scopes as project needs shift, without needing to specialize in just one
• A track record of coaching and developing engineering staff
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with internal and external clients
• Well organized, curious, and quick to spot issues and offer practical solutions
• A collaborative, team‑first mindset and a genuine willingness to roll up your sleeves and help wherever needed

What You’ll Earn

• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay – 10 Days Annually
• Life Insurance (Company Paid)
• Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
• 401(K) Retirement Savings plan
• 401(K) Matching Contribution
• Section 125/Cafeteria Plan
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Fitness Center Reimbursement
• Annual Performance Bonus
• 9/80 Work Schedule Option
• FSA and HSA Options

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.

Leader

Inspires teammates to follow them

Motivations

Inspired to perform without outside help

Education

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering.

Experience

10 years: Experience with genuine breadth across HVAC, utility systems, and piping design, ideally in power generation, industrial, or facilities environments

Licenses & Certifications

Prof Engineering (PE)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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