Senior Mechanical Engineer (Chicago)

Burns & McDonnell; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401(k) plan

Insurance & disability

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Chicago seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead HVAC and plumbing designs for laboratories, campuses, and federal facilities within the Aviation & Federal group. You will manage design teams, develop criteria, calculations, and cost estimates across complex projects.

Ideal candidates have ABET-accredited ME degrees, 7+ years of experience, and strong knowledge of ASHRAE standards. PE license is preferred; travel and client coordination are routine parts of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from ABET accredited program; 7 years' experience required, or Master Degree with 6 years' experience.
• Expert knowledge of building codes and design standards (e.g. ASHRAE 62.1 & 90.1) and strong computer skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to lead discipline design for large projects.
• Ability to lead execution in a team environment; strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Travel ability required; PE license strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for HVAC and plumbing systems from concept to design completion.
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers.
• Oversee QA/QC, submittals, RFIs, and client communications.
• Develop design calculations, construction details, quantities, and cost estimates.
• Prepare technical reports and project budgets; support business development and proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (optional)

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Tools

MS Office

CAD software

Job description

Description

Burns & McDonnell’s Chicago office is looking for an ambitious and talented Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Aviation & Federal team.

At Burns & McDonnell, you’ll be empowered to build not just projects, but your career. Our expansiveservice offeringsmean stability, job security and incredible potential for growth. We’re proud to be a100% employee-owned company. It’s the core of our DNA. It fosters a culture of ownership and entrepreneurialism, where each of us has a vested stake in the success of our company and one another.

But being employee‑owners means more to us than just the financial benefit. We invest in our most important resource — our people — with an industry‑leading benefits package that supports physical, emotional and financial health. From robust training programs to a commitment to diversity and inclusion to all the ways we give back, our employee‑owners help our clients, industries, and communities thrive.

Burns & McDonnell is looking for a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Aviation & Federal design group in Chicago, Illinois. This position entails leading HVAC and plumbing technical designs for buildings such as laboratories, research and development centers, central cooling and heating plants, campus utility distributions, power plants, federal facilities and airports.

This Senior Mechanical Engineer position offers incredible career opportunities for motivated individuals seeking to advance their career with a company that invests in you. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will work in a multidisciplinary integrated design team to perform the following duties:

• Work with a team of designers and engineers in the preparation of design drawings and specifications to meet project deadlines.
• Perform technical HVAC and plumbing design such as performing load calculations, energy modeling, selecting equipment, pipe and duct routing, hydraulic modeling, existing condition assessments, and ensuring designs are code compliant.
• Active involvement in construction administration including submittal reviews, RFI responses, and meeting participation with contractors and clients.
• Coordinate with other disciplines (electrical, structural, civil, architectural, etc.) and mentor less experienced team members.
• Develop design criteria, design calculations, construction details, quantities, and cost estimates in accordance with the latest industry standards.
• Participate in QA/QC processes for project deliverables and submittals.
• Provide internal and external clients with professional and responsive service.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will lead mechanical designs & project teams to create world class designs for new construction, alterations and redevelopments on a variety of project types including laboratories, central cooling/heating plants, campus utility distribution, power plants, federal facilities, airports, institutional, and industrial facilities. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will lead the project mechanical team throughout the design and construction process, adapting mechanical plans according to budget constraints, design factors or client needs.

• Lead mechanical design of projects from the conceptual phase through design completion for project needs and requirements that are set forth by the project managers.
• Participate in development of project schedule, scope, budget, staffing planning, and construction planning. Responsible for effective management of change orders.
• Apply expert knowledge of commonly used mechanical concepts, practices, codes and procedures within the mechanical engineering services industry.
• Apply knowledge and experience to complex projects, find non‑standard design solutions.
• Quality review production drawings for a variety of projects and project related data as required by the project managers to verify corrections are made within multiple CAD related software.
• Quality review the construction administration including coordination with field personnel to resolve design related installation issues, calculations, field inspections and testing of mechanical systems.
• Leads field visits for survey and documentation of existing conditions, construction progress and performs inspections, measurements or calculations as needed.
• Prepare and present technical reports for clients.
• Build effective relationships with existing clients, customers and contractors and develop new business opportunities. Responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction goals and expectations are met.
• Participate in sales and marketing efforts and identify key pursuits.
• Lead the development of cost proposals and qualification statements to achieve stated targets and standards for financial performance.
• Prepare and present project budgets and cost estimates. Report project performance.
• Provide leadership, guidance and instruction to the mechanical engineering practice. Mentor and guide less experienced engineers.
• Responsible for QA/QC process adherence.
• Responsible for effective communication with other engineering disciplines.
• Responsible for compliance with company and site safety policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program and 7 years mechanical engineering experience required or
• Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering Field and 6 years mechanical engineering experience required.
• Expert knowledge of applicable building codes and design standards (e.g. ASHRAE 62.1 & 90.1). Strong computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with leading the discipline design for large projects and delegating work tasks to team members.
• Ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem‑solving environment.
• Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications.
• Ability to travel.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License strongly preferred.

Compensation

$155,000.00-200,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year‑end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee‑owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Mechanical Engineering

Primary Location US-IL-Chicago

Other Locations United States

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time