Staff Mechanical Engineer

Global Technical Talent, an Inc. 5000 Company; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Technical Talent is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer in Columbus, OH for a contract-to-hire role. You will lead cross‑functional teams on substations, transmission lines, and telecom projects from inception through closeout, overseeing 5–20 projects with voltages from 4kV to 765kV.

This onsite role requires strong engineering fundamentals and CAD/BIM skills (AutoCAD, Revit). Travel about 10–15% (one week per month) with MVR and US work authorization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from ABET‑accredited program.
• 3 years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably in consulting.
• FE exam eligible or Master’s degree; PE/engineer in training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams on substation, transmission, and telecom projects from inception to closeout.
• Manage 5–20 projects concurrently with varying voltages (4kV–765kV).
• Ensure on-time delivery and forecast accurate costs.
• Coordinate labor resources with vendors and manage meetings with stakeholders.
• Update drawings in CAD-related software and perform field measurements.
• Ensure compliance with policies and safety standards.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

AutoCAD / BIM

Office software

Field and office experience

Team collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited mechanical engineering degree

FE/Engineer-in-Training eligibility

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit (BIM)

3D Rendering Programs

HVAC analysis software

Hydraulic analysis software

Job description

• Position Type: Contract (Contract to Hire)
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Pay Rate: $50.00-$61.00 / Hour (USD)
• Shift / Schedule: Days (1st Shift)
• Travel Requirements: Approximately 10-15% travel on an expense basis; typically one week per month with approximately 3 days onsite. Travel destinations may include Denver, Akron, and Minneapolis.
• MVR / Driving Required: Yes
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. [Export-control compliance required. See recruiter for eligibility details.]

Staff Mechanical Engineer

Location: Columbus, OH

Onsite Flexibility: Onsite

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract (Contract to Hire)
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Pay Rate: $50.00-$61.00 / Hour (USD)
• Shift / Schedule: Days (1st Shift)
• Travel Requirements: Approximately 10-15% travel on an expense basis; typically one week per month with approximately 3 days onsite. Travel destinations may include Denver, Akron, and Minneapolis.
• MVR / Driving Required: Yes
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. [Export-control compliance required. See recruiter for eligibility details.]

Job Summary

The Staff Mechanical Engineer will work with the project team throughout the design and construction process, adapting mechanical plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs. This role is primarily Project Management-focused, leading a cross-functional team to execute substation, transmission line, and telecommunication projects from inception through design and construction to closeout. The position will oversee 5-20 projects concurrently of varying sizes and voltages (4kV-765kV), and will require strong self-management skills as the hiring manager will not be physically present in the Columbus office every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional team to execute substation, transmission line, and telecommunication projects from inception through design and construction to closeout.
• Oversee 5-20 projects concurrently of varying sizes and voltages (4kV-765kV).
• Manage projects for schedule adherence, identifying risks and requirements to successfully achieve a project's in-service date.
• Navigate projects through client gate approval processes, including presentations to senior and executive management as required by each client.
• Manage projects for financial adherence, maintaining an accurate cost forecast reflecting committed and uncommitted costs for an estimate-at-completion.
• Coordinate craft labor resources with client-approved vendors for construction, testing, and other field activities.
• Provide regular status updates on projects by maintaining project data and routine reporting as well as meeting updates for clients.
• Lead project meetings with cost, schedule, real estate, environmental, construction, and engineering resources to facilitate project execution.
• Perform mechanical design of projects from the conceptual phase through design completion.
• Design mechanical components for project needs and requirements as set forth by the project managers.
• Apply strong knowledge of commonly used mechanical engineering/design concepts, principles, practices, codes, and procedures within the mechanical engineering services industry.
• Research and compile project-related data as required by the project managers.
• Update drawings provided by senior engineers to verify corrections are made within multiple CAD-related software.
• Perform field inspections, measurements, or calculations for public and private clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment with demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Proficient in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
• Strong computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Strong computer skills including AutoCAD, BIM (Revit), 3D Rendering Programs, hydraulic analysis, and HVAC analysis programs.
• Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong self-management skills — must be comfortable working independently and coordinating across multiple offices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Field experience and office experience both important.

Preferred Skills

• Engineers in Training (EIT) Certification preferred.
• T&D engineering experience (overhead transmission lines, substation engineering, network communications, related utility infrastructure).
• Experience managing heavy industrial or large capital projects valued at $5M+.
• Consulting engineering experience.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related degree from an ABET-accredited program — required.
• *Or* Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or related Engineering Technology from an ABET-accredited program plus successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam — required.
• *Or* Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering — required (with reduced experience requirement; see Required Experience).
• Any ABET-accredited engineering degree is acceptable per hiring manager guidance.

Required Experience

• 3 years of mechanical engineering experience (consulting preferred) — required with a Bachelor's Degree.
• *Or* 2 years of mechanical engineering experience (consulting preferred) — required with a Master's Degree.
• Open to more senior candidates; if a stronger/more senior candidate is identified, title alignment and compensation will be considered.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Background transitioning from design/engineering into project management responsibilities (candidates often transition after approximately 12-14 years of experience).
• Experience managing projects valued at $5M+ (manufacturing backgrounds typically do not align well).
• Direct T&D experience for candidates coming from a Project Management background.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based in Columbus, OH with periodic travel to Denver, Akron, and Minneapolis (approximately one week per month, ~3 days onsite).
• Must be comfortable working independently without daily on-site manager presence.
• Driving required; MVR check required.
• Flex scheduling eligible.

Important Notes

• Do not recruit locally from AEP in Columbus.
• Interview process: ideally a one-step virtual interview; a second round may occur if there is uncertainty regarding a candidate. The hiring manager is committed to moving quickly through the hiring process.
• Background check bundle: Burns & McDonnell and/or AZCO/Constructors — Standard with MVR.
• Per diem: Not applicable for this role.

About the Client

This client is a 100% employee-owned infrastructure engineering, architecture, and construction firm that has been delivering critical infrastructure projects for more than 125 years, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and operating from 75 offices across the U.S. and internationally. With more than 14,500 employee-owners and over $7.4 billion in annual revenue, the firm serves sectors including energy, aviation, water, telecommunications, transportation, and healthcare — and has earned a 4.2 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor across more than 1,800 reviews, with 87% of employees recommending it as a workplace. Teams span civil and structural engineers, architects, environmental scientists, construction managers, mechanical engineers, and program management professionals who collaborate on complex, consequential infrastructure projects ranging from major airport expansions to large-scale energy grid infrastructure.

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-12906 Industry: Engineering