Hydro Mechanical Engineer

Join to apply for the Hydro Mechanical Engineer I role at Hargrove Engineers & Constructors
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Who We Are

Hargrove supplies unparalleled services in engineering, procurement, construction management, and technical services in the industrial, commercial, and government sectors. With over 2,700 Teammates in 19 offices domestically and internationally, we build long‑term support relationships in the energy generation, manufacturing, research and development, and process‑heavy industry in on‑site support arrangements, in plant‑level small projects and consulting roles, and in larger capital projects.

Hargrove’s key operating principle is to provide the Right People, in the Right Place, at the Right Time. We believe that relationships and partnering together provide the best results and long‑term benefits for our clients.

Work‑life balance and flexibility are important areas of focus for Hargrove. We’re happy to discuss flexible working hours, patterns, and locations to suit you and the business.

What You’ll Be Doing

Job Scope: This position interfaces with plant operators/hydro journeymen, superintendents, and managers to identify, troubleshoot, and solve hydro plant operations and maintenance issues. Position will be heavily involved in the Hydro Modernization program and will support the turbine scope of work for Modernization projects. Successful candidates will work under the supervision of a full‑time Senior Engineer in SCS Hydro Engineering.

Primary Responsibilities:

• This position has cradle to grave responsibility for small projects, working with hydro plant personnel to: identify problem, develop viable solutions, assess options and select solution, find relevant vendors, and provide technical direction for installation and commissioning.
• Project management duties for small projects can be the responsibility of this position.
• For larger projects, this position will work on a multidisciplinary team representing the Hydro Engineering group.
• In this role, the position would be responsible for writing or reviewing specifications, providing drawings to contract partners, reviewing design drawings from internal or external groups, and providing technical support for assembly, disassembly, and commissioning.
• This position would also interface with, provide support for, and attend meetings scheduled by TSS for these larger projects.
• Review alignment data provided by vendors for adherence to industry standards.
• Review operational data to identify trends.
• Take field measurements when no relevant drawings are available.
• Inspect hydroelectric turbines for condition assessment.
• Perform shop inspections of witness or hold points prior to equipment shipment.
• Write or modify existing specifications for hydroelectric turbines, oil systems, bearings, shafts, and coolers.
• Assist Hydro management with Capital and O&M budgeting process by providing budgetary estimates, project durations, and project cash flows.
• Must be comfortable working in an operating power plant, often during construction or outage related activities, occasionally in confined spaces.

Education: Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university is required.

Registration: Engineer in Training (EIT) registration is strongly preferred. Professional Engineering registration is preferred upon eligibility.

Experience: This position requires 1+ years of relevant industrial experience in mechanical engineering.

• At least 1 year of experience working on project teams in various roles (design, technical support, project engineer, project manager, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience supporting Technical Shared Services (TSS) managed projects is preferred. (TSS is Southern Company’s internal engineering, construction, and project management organization.)
• Basic knowledge of mechanical systems in hydroelectric power plants is desired: pumps, piping systems, heat exchangers, rolling element and fluid film bearings.
• Understanding of principles of machine vibration and alignment is desirable.
• Knowledge of vertical shaft alignment is desirable.
• Knowledge of machine design as it relates to…