Principal Mechanical Engineer

Lombard, ILMechanical Engineering – Engineering /Full Time /Hybrid Valdes Architecture & Engineering is seeking an accomplished Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across municipal infrastructure, water and wastewater, building systems, industrial process facilities, utility and power infrastructure, and life sciences markets.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer is one of the most senior technical positions within the Mechanical Engineering Department and serves as a technical authority, mentor, and trusted advisor to clients and project teams. This individual leads complex mechanical engineering assignments, establishes technical direction, resolves difficult or non-routine engineering problems, provides senior-level quality review, and develops the technical capabilities of other engineers.

The position requires independent engineering judgment and technical leadership from planning and conceptual design through construction and commissioning.

Responsibilities Technical Leadership Serve as a technical authority for complex mechanical engineering projects and design challenges

Establish design criteria and technical direction for mechanical systems and equipment

Apply advanced engineering judgment to resolve complex, unusual, or non-routine engineering problems

Evaluate alternative systems and equipment based on performance, reliability, constructability, maintainability, lifecycle cost, and client requirements

Identify technical risks and develop practical, defensible engineering solutions

Provide technical consultation to clients and multidisciplinary project teams

Serve as Engineer of Record or responsible mechanical engineer when appropriate

Provide technical leadership in one or more areas including:

HVAC, plumbing, and building utility systems

Process and utility piping

Pumping systems

Steam, condensate, heating, and cooling water systems

Compressed air, gas, and fuel systems

Pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels, and packaged equipment

Piping layouts, stress analysis, supports, and equipment interfaces

Project Leadership & Delivery Serve as Mechanical Lead on large, technically complex, and multidisciplinary projects

Lead mechanical engineering from planning and conceptual design through construction and commissioning

Develop and review project scopes, design criteria, engineering estimates, schedules, and budgets

Provide technical direction to engineers and designers and coordinate mechanical interfaces with other disciplines

Review and approve calculations, specifications, drawings, equipment selections, data sheets, reports, and construction documents

Identify technical, scope, schedule, and budget risks and work with Project Management to resolve them Ensure deliverables meet project requirements, applicable codes, client standards, and Valdes quality expectations

Field & Construction Support Lead field investigations and assessments of existing mechanical systems

Provide senior-level engineering judgment in resolving field conditions, construction issues, and equipment problems

Review RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, and proposed field modifications

Participate in equipment inspections, factory testing, startup, and commissioning

Ensure designs consider constructability, maintainability, accessibility, operations, and personnel safety

Engineering Standards, Quality & Mentorship Provide senior-level QA/QC review of mechanical engineering deliverables, including the underlying design basis and technical approach

Help develop and improve department standards, specifications, procedures, calculation methods, and design practices

Promote consistent application of sound engineering practices and lessons learned

Mentor engineers and designers and help develop future technical leaders

Provide technical guidance while allowing developing engineers appropriate ownership of their work Share technical knowledge and provide clear, constructive technical feedback

Client Engagement & Business Development Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients

Participate in client meetings, planning sessions, presentations, and technical discussions

Support proposals, project pursuits, scope development, technical approaches, and fee development

Identify opportunities where Valdes' mechanical engineering capabilities can address client needs

Develop and maintain strong technical relationships with clients

Technical Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering…