Senior Professional Engineer, Mechanical - Food & Beverage Processing

TKDA; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Annual incentive plan

HSA contributions

401(k) match

ESOP

Paid time off

Job summary

TKDA is a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and design firm seeking a Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager to join our Facilities Engineering division. You will lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for industrial facilities and serve as both technical leader and project manager through all project phases.

The role requires 10–20 years of progressive experience, PE license or ability to obtain, and strong leadership,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 10–20 years of progressive professional experience in mechanical engineering and facility systems design.
• Experience designing HVAC, plumbing, piping, industrial ventilation, and process-related systems for industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, agricultural processing, commercial, and institutional facilities.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain reciprocal licensure in project states.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for diverse facilities.
• Serve as technical leader and project manager from planning through construction completion.
• Mentor junior staff and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Support business development by strengthening client relationships and pursuing new opportunities.

Skills

Project management

Client relations

Mentoring

QA/QC reviews

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PE license or ability to obtain

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit MEP

Plant 3D

Job description

TKDA is a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and design firm seeking a Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager to join our Facilities Engineering division.

In this senior-level role, you will lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for industrial, food and beverage, manufacturing, agricultural processing, educational, commercial, and public-sector facilities. You will serve as both a technical leader and project manager, guiding projects from initial planning and conceptual design through construction completion.

Primary responsibilities include mechanical system design, project management, client relationship management, multidisciplinary coordination, and mentoring junior staff. Projects may include HVAC systems, industrial ventilation, plumbing and piping systems, central utility plants, process utilities, steam and compressed air systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.

As part of TKDA's Seller-Doer culture, you will also support business development efforts by strengthening existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping expand TKDA's presence within the industrial and food and beverage markets.

Hybrid Work Environment

Tuesday - Thursday In-Office | Monday & Friday WFH

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 10-20 years of progressive professional experience in mechanical engineering and facility systems design.
• Significant experience designing HVAC, plumbing, piping, industrial ventilation, and process-related systems for industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, agricultural processing, commercial, and institutional facilities.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain reciprocal licensure in project states.
• Experience leading projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Strong understanding of mechanical building systems, process utility systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and designers.
• Experience conducting and leading QA/QC reviews.Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact directly with clients and project stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 10% for client meetings, site visits, and construction support.

Advantageous Qualifications

• Experience serving food and beverage manufacturers, industrial manufacturing clients, or agricultural processing facilities.
• Experience designing:
  • Central utility plants
  • Boiler and chiller systems
  • Steam and condensate systems
  • Compressed air systems
  • Process utility infrastructure
  • Refrigeration systems
  • Sanitary process piping systems
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit MEP, and/or Plant 3D.
• Experience with energy modeling software such as TRACE 3D Plus or similar platforms.
• Experience preparing PFDs, P&IDs, equipment layouts, process utility plans, and mechanical system diagrams.
• Professional registration in additional states, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or South Dakota.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client account growth.
• LEED accreditation or other sustainability-focused credentials

$112,000 - $169,000 a year

The listed salary range reflects base pay for candidates with 4-10 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, licensure, and responsibilities. Provided salary does not include additional compensation, such as TKDA's ESOP and bonus program.

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

Note: To be considered for this opportunity and to perform the assigned responsibilities, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be able to complete and pass any background, security, and drug test requests required by TKDA, clients, and state and/or federal agencies.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one
• Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses
• HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan
• 401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals
• ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits
• Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements. TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H-1B, F-1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

Pre-Employment Screening

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.