Senior Mechanical Engineer - Mission Critical

CRG Real Estate Solutions; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Annual Bonus

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

Clayco is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer for Clayco Design and Engineering to lead mechanical design projects across HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. You will deliver technically robust designs, mentor junior engineers, and coordinate with architects, structural and electrical teams to meet client requirements and regulatory standards.

Join a fast-paced, design-build environment focused on high-profile commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, with travel to site

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of mechanical engineering design experience with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong experience in HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and building energy management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; LEED accreditation a plus.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and HVAC equipment brands.
• Experience with building codes and standards (ASHRAE, NFPA, IMC) and local regs.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and engineering of HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and other building systems.
• Perform detailed system calculations and analyses to ensure code compliance.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources across disciplines.
• Review and approve drawings, specifications, and submittals for quality.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and team members.
• Develop reports, technical specs, and design documentation for clients.
• Collaborate with project managers to define scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Oversee commissioning and startup of mechanical systems to ensure proper operation.
• Track changes and maintain adherence to goals, quality standards, and deadlines.
• Stay current with industry trends and new software tools to improve design processes.

Skills

Leadership

HVAC systems

Piping systems

Fire protection

Project management

Energy management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Trane

Carrier

Job description

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About Clayco Design and Engineering

Clayco Design and Engineering (CDE) was created to diversify and grow Clayco’s industrial business unit’s capabilities with a focus on efficiently delivering robust design-build architectural and engineering solutions. The Clayco Design and Engineering team brings a tremendous amount of engineering expertise to the Clayco enterprise from a wide array of industrial segments such as food & beverage, consumer products, manufacturing, and life-science products.

The Role We Want You For

In the Lead Mechanical Engineer at Clayco Design & Engineering, you will be responsible for leading and managing mechanical design projects, providing technical expertise, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality engineering solutions. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, and construction managers, to ensure designs are optimized, cost-effective, and meet all client and regulatory requirements.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead the mechanical design and engineering of HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and other building systems for various projects.
• Perform detailed mechanical system calculations and analyses, ensuring compliance with industry standards, codes, and best practices.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources while coordinating with other engineering disciplines.
• Design and specify mechanical systems, including HVAC, piping, ventilation, and fire suppression systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects.
• Review and approve mechanical drawings, specifications, and submittals for quality and accuracy.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and other team members.
• Develop and present detailed reports, technical specifications, and design documentation for clients and project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with project managers to define project scope, schedule, and deliverables, ensuring client expectations are met.
• Oversee commissioning, testing, and start-up of mechanical systems to ensure proper operation.
• Manage and track project changes and ensure adherence to project goals, quality standards, and deadlines.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and new software tools to improve design processes and results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field); Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in mechanical engineering design, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior engineering role.
• Strong experience in HVAC, plumbing, fire protection systems, and building energy management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; LEED accreditation and other certifications a plus.
• Proficiency in mechanical design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Trane, Carrier, or similar tools).
• Experience with building codes and standards (ASHRAE, NFPA, IMC, etc.) and local/regional codes and regulations.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects with varying complexities and deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaborative and proactive team player with a focus on delivering innovative and high-quality solutions.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Some Things You Should Know

• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco?

• 2024 Best Places to Work – Crain’s Chicago Business, St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2024 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2024 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2024 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 5).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.