Senior Mechanical Engineer

Mesa Associates•Knoxville, TN

35d

About The Position

Mesa Associates, Inc. is a woman/minority-owned full-service engineering, procurement, and project management firm covering power, defense, aerospace, industrial, commercial, and municipal entities. We specialize in power generation and delivery services. We have been in the top 10 of EC&M's Top 40 Electrical Design Firms since 2012. With over 1,000 associates, we are big enough to perform, but small enough to care! Mesa Associates is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to serve as a true generalist across our Mechanical Engineering department, delivering projects for our Generation, Industrial, and Government clients. This is a hands-on technical role: you will personally design HVAC systems, plant utilities, and piping scopes as project needs shift, without being boxed into a single specialty. You'll serve as a go-to resource who advises and mentors mid-career and junior staff across whatever scope you're supporting. We're looking for someone versatile, approachable, and just as comfortable picking up a new type of scope as sticking with a familiar one.

Requirements

Expert, hands-on knowledge of industrial HVAC design, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, exhaust, and specialized environmental control for equipment rooms, control rooms, switchgear rooms, and process spaces
Demonstrated ability to perform heating and cooling load calculations, size ductwork and equipment, and select chillers, air handling units (AHUs), fans, and dampers
Strong working knowledge of ASHRAE standards, the International Mechanical Code (IMC), and related codes as applied to industrial and power generation facilities
Hands-on knowledge of mechanical design codes including ASME, ANSI, API, and NFPA, with a strong understanding of ASME B31.1/B31.3 piping codes and ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, API 650, and API 620
Experience performing detailed stress analysis of piping systems, custom piping components, or fabrication assemblies using AutoPIPE and/or CAESAR II
Proficient with Plant3D, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and SolidWorks across HVAC, utility, and piping layouts, routing, and equipment coordination
Strong knowledge of power generation types, including coal, gas, and hydro, and how HVAC, utility, and piping systems support each
Working knowledge of utility systems, the supporting infrastructure that keeps plant equipment running (as distinct from HVAC or main process equipment), including: Compressed air systems, Cooling water systems, Potable water systems, Hydraulic systems, Lubricating systems
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and PE License (required)
10+ years of experience with genuine breadth across HVAC, utility systems, and piping design, ideally in power generation, industrial, or facilities environments
Demonstrated, current hands-on design and calculation experience across multiple mechanical disciplines, not solely project oversight
Comfortable moving between different types of mechanical scopes as project needs shift, without needing to specialize in just one
A track record of coaching and developing engineering staff
Strong written and verbal communication skills with internal and external clients
Well organized, curious, and quick to spot issues and offer practical solutions
A collaborative, team-first mindset and a genuine willingness to roll up your sleeves and help wherever needed

Responsibilities

Personally perform HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, and ductwork design for assigned projects, from concept through issued-for-construction
Support the design of utility systems as needed, including compressed air, cooling water, cooling towers, potable water, hydraulic, and lubricating systems
Support piping design tasks as needed, including layout, routing, and basic sizing, working alongside engineers working on Piping & Pressure Systems
Perform process calculations, such as flow rate and pressure drop, directly within the Mechanical Engineering group; Mesa does not have a separate Process Engineering function, so this work sits with Mechanical
Perform walkdowns and collect detailed field data across HVAC, utility, and piping equipment to support scoping
Move fluidly between HVAC, utility, and piping assignments based on department and project needs
Own deliverables directly across HVAC, utility, and piping-support work, in addition to reviewing and advising on the work of others
Work alongside junior and mid-career engineers, offering input, coaching, and mentorship across whichever scope you're supporting
Coordinate directly with other disciplines, including civil/structural, electrical, and controls, on integration-heavy scopes
Support proposal development and client-facing technical discussions across HVAC, utility, and piping scopes