Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

Oak Ridge Associated Universities; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Associated Universities is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to design and optimize piping and mechanical systems for process-control environments handling liquids or gases. You will lead innovation from conception through realization, ensuring safety, regulatory, and operational targets are met with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities include piping system design, CFD/FEA analysis, drawing development, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical design-engineering experience with piping and fluid systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• PE license and/or certifications in project management or quality are advantageous but not required.
• Familiarity with ASME or equivalent codes and standards.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, construction, and maintenance of facility piping systems with equipment sizing and selection.
• Model pressure, flow, and thermal effects using CFD/FEA and validate piping integrity under loads.
• Develop and review mechanical and piping drawings, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Plan and coordinate engineering work, prepare ROMs and procurement documentation.
• Participate in safety reviews, QA activities, and audits; drive continuous improvement.
• Produce technical reports and present findings to stakeholders and senior management.
• Direct staff and mentor junior engineers in mechanical and fluid-system design; guide troubleshooting.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Piping design

Structural analysis

Project leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CFD

FEA

CAD

Pipe-stress analysis

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer who specializes in designing and optimizing piping and mechanical systems within process-control environments that handle liquids or gases. This role demands extensive experience in fluid dynamics, equipment specification, and structural analysis. The successful candidate will lead innovation in system design with minimal supervision, ensuring projects meet operational, regulatory, and safety targets from conception through final realization.

• Lead the design, construction, and maintenance of facility piping systems, including rigorous component sizing and equipment selection (pumps, motors, heaters, blowers, valves, etc.).
• Model pressure, flow, and thermal effects (steady‑state and transient) using CFD, FEA, and related tools; validate piping integrity under static and dynamic loads, and perform pipe‑stress/structural analyses.
• Develop, review, and red‑line mechanical and piping drawings, plans, and specifications derived from engineering calculations; ensure compliance with codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate detailed phases of engineering work for major projects or for entire projects of moderate scope; prepare ROMs and detailed cost estimates, compile equipment specifications, and generate procurement documentation.
• Participate in safety reviews, quality‑assurance activities, training sessions, and regulatory audits; drive continuous improvement by integrating emerging technologies and best practices.
• Produce technical reports, literature reviews, and progress updates; present findings and status briefings to stakeholders and senior management.
• Direct the work of technical support staff and mentor junior engineers in mechanical and fluid‑system design; guide troubleshooting and modifications to resolve equipment malfunctions.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) from an accredited institution – or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and/or certifications in project management or quality are advantageous but not required.
• 5+ years of mechanical design‑engineering experience with a strong focus on piping and fluid systems (industrial liquid or gas processes).
• Demonstrated expertise in pressure‑drop calculations, fluid‑flow optimization, and equipment sizing/selection.
• Proficiency in static and dynamic piping analyses, including pipe‑stress and support‑structure calculations.
• Prior experience in highly regulated or process‑driven industries (nuclear, chemical processing, oil & gas, HVAC, etc.).
• Familiarity with relevant codes and standards (ASME or equivalent) and proven ability to integrate them into efficient designs.
• Strong in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a “Q” Clearance