Senior Mechanical Engineer, Central Utilities and District Energy

Jobvite, Inc.; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants, district energy systems, and steam infrastructure for healthcare, higher education, government, and industrial facilities.

As Engineer of Responsible Charge, you will guide quality control, seal documents, mentor staff, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams through design and construction, ensuring code compliance and project success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of job-related experience in central utility plants, district energy systems, boiler plants, and steam networks.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or ability to obtain licensure by comity in the hiring state.
• Ability to lead planning, analysis, and design of medium- and high-pressure steam systems, condensate return, and hot/chilled water systems.
• Advanced knowledge of ASME B31.1, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, NFPA, and International Mechanical Code.
• Experience with PFDs, P&IDs, control narratives, sequences of operation, and building automation knowledge.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants and district energy systems.
• Develop utility master plans, feasibility studies, and condition assessments with modernization and decarbonization focus.
• Perform analyses and produce designs including calculations, layouts, PFDs, and P&IDs with control strategies.
• Oversee pipe stress analyses and prepare cost estimates and GMP/GMAX packages.
• Serve as Engineer of Responsible Charge, directing quality control and sealing engineering documents.
• Manage project scope, schedule, and team workload across multiple disciplines.
• Provide construction administration including site visits, RFIs, commissioning support, and closeout.
• Mentor engineers and designers, contribute to internal standards, and support business development.

Skills

Leadership

Project planning

Code compliance

Steam systems design

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Central Utilities and District Energy

Position Description

Cushing Terrell is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in central utilities and district energy to lead the planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants, district energy systems, and medium- and high-pressure steam infrastructure. Working with full autonomy as a recognized technical specialist, you will deliver complex utility projects for healthcare, higher education, government, and industrial facilities from master planning and feasibility through design and construction administration.

What does this role involve day to day? You will analyze steam generation and distribution, condensate return, and hot and chilled water systems; develop designs, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, control sequences, and specifications; and prepare cost estimates that support budgeting and guaranteed maximum price efforts. You will advise clients on reliability, resiliency, expansion, and budget goals, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and contractors, and provide construction administration through startup and closeout.

What will you create? Utility master plans, feasibility studies, and designs that help owners modernize, electrify, and decarbonize the systems that serve hospitals, campuses, government facilities, and industrial sites. As Engineer of Responsible Charge, you will lead quality control, review and seal engineering documents, and mentor engineers and designers to build steam and utility expertise within the mechanical engineering team.

Position Salary Range*

The expected salary range for this position is $130,000 to $200,000 annually.

Required Qualifications**

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 10+ years of job-related experience, including designing central utility plants, district energy systems, boiler plants, and steam distribution networks
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), or ability to obtain licensure by comity (reciprocity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office
• Ability to independently lead the planning, analysis, and design of medium- and high-pressure steam generation and distribution, condensate return, and chilled and hot water generation and distribution systems
• Advanced understanding of applicable codes and standards, including ASME B31.1 Power Piping, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, National Board requirements, NFPA standards, and the International Mechanical Code
• Proficiency developing process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control narratives, and sequences of operation, with strong knowledge of building automation, steam plant controls, and instrumentation
• Advanced knowledge of Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications**

• Experience overseeing pipe stress analysis and coordinating pipe support requirements for high-temperature piping systems
• Experience performing facility and condition assessments, feasibility studies, infrastructure master planning, lifecycle cost analyses, and decarbonization studies
• Experience preparing engineer's opinions of probable cost, conceptual budgets, capital planning estimates, and design packages supporting guaranteed maximum price (GMP/GMAX) pricing
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, utility outages, and phased implementation in operating facilities
• Proficiency writing specifications for utility infrastructure, boiler plants, distribution piping, and associated equipment
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and presenting complex technical solutions to owners, contractors, operators, and utility providers
• Working knowledge of site safety practices for field work in operating boiler plants, steam systems, and other high-energy utility environments

Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don't meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don't want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!

Position Responsibilities***

• Lead the planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants, district energy systems, and medium- and high-pressure steam infrastructure for healthcare, higher education, government, and industrial facilities
• Develop utility master plans, feasibility studies, and condition assessments that evaluate replacement, modernization, electrification, and expansion, advising clients on reliability, resiliency, decarbonization, and budget goals
• Perform engineering analyses and produce designs, including calculations, equipment selections, layouts, PFDs, P&IDs, control strategies, sequences of operation, specifications, and construction documents
• Oversee pipe stress analysis and prepare capital cost estimates, engineer's opinions of probable cost, and design packages that support GMP/GMAX pricing
• Serve as Engineer of Responsible Charge, leading quality control reviews and signing and sealing engineering documents for utility and central plant projects
• Manage project scope, schedule, fee, and team workload while coordinating with architects, structural, electrical, and civil engineers, contractors, equipment vendors, and consultants
• Provide construction administration, including site visits, submittal reviews, responses to requests for information (RFIs), field observations, commissioning support, startup coordination, and closeout
• Mentor engineers and designers in steam system design and utility planning, contribute to internal design standards, and support business development through proposals, interviews, and client relationships

Working at Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.

Why Cushing Terrell

At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team, from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, 'design meets you.' Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide: https://cushingterrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CushingTerrell_BenefitsGuide_2026_rev.pdf

Things to Note

*Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate's years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job-related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

**Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

***The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.

Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.

Note to recruitment agencies: Cushing Terrell does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of Cushing Terrell without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of Cushing Terrell.