Senior Professional Engineer, Mechanical - Food & Beverage Processing

TKDA • Downers Grove, IL

25d • $112,000 - $169,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

TKDA, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and design firm, is seeking a Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager for its Facilities Engineering division. The role leads planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for industrial, food and beverage, manufacturing, agricultural processing, educational, commercial, and public-sector facilities. The position combines technical leadership and project management, guiding projects from initial planning and conceptual design through construction completion.

The work includes mechanical system design, project management, client relationship management, multidisciplinary coordination, and mentoring junior staff. Projects may involve HVAC, industrial ventilation, plumbing and piping, central utility plants, process utilities, steam and compressed air systems, and facility infrastructure improvements. In keeping with TKDA's Seller-Doer culture, the role also supports business development by strengthening client relationships, identifying opportunities, assisting with proposals, and expanding TKDA's presence in industrial and food and beverage markets.

The position has a hybrid work environment: in-office Tuesday through Thursday and work from home Monday and Friday. Travel of up to 10% is required for client meetings, site visits, and construction support. The listed base salary range is $112,000–$169,000 per year; it reflects candidates with 4–10 years of related experience and may vary with experience, qualifications, licensure, and responsibilities. Additional compensation may include TKDA's ESOP and bonus program.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 10–20 years of progressive professional experience in mechanical engineering and facility systems design.
• Significant experience designing HVAC, plumbing, piping, industrial ventilation, and process-related systems for industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, agricultural processing, commercial, and institutional facilities.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain reciprocal licensure in project states.
• Experience leading projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Strong understanding of mechanical building systems, process utility systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and designers.
• Experience conducting and leading QA/QC reviews.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact directly with clients and project stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 10% for client meetings, site visits, and construction support.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship needs and be able to complete required background, security, and drug screenings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving food and beverage manufacturers, industrial manufacturing clients, or agricultural processing facilities.
• Experience designing central utility plants.
• Experience designing boiler and chiller systems.
• Experience designing steam and condensate systems.
• Experience designing compressed air systems.
• Experience designing process utility infrastructure.
• Experience designing refrigeration systems.
• Experience designing sanitary process piping systems.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit MEP, and/or Plant 3D.
• Experience with energy modeling software such as TRACE 3D Plus or similar platforms.
• Experience preparing PFDs, P&IDs, equipment layouts, process utility plans, and mechanical system diagrams.
• Professional registration in additional states, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or South Dakota.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client account growth.
• LEED accreditation or other sustainability-focused credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for facilities across industrial, food and beverage, manufacturing, agricultural processing, educational, commercial, and public-sector markets.
• Guide projects from initial planning and conceptual design through construction completion, including planning, design, bidding, construction, and commissioning.
• Design mechanical systems, including HVAC, industrial ventilation, plumbing and piping, central utility plants, process utilities, steam and compressed air systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
• Manage client relationships and interact directly with clients and project stakeholders.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor and develop engineers and designers.
• Conduct and lead QA/QC reviews.
• Support business development by strengthening existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping grow TKDA's presence in industrial and food and beverage markets.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one.
• Eligibility for discretionary bonuses through an annual incentive plan.
• Monthly employer HSA contributions for employees who choose an HSA-eligible plan.
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) funded entirely by company profits.
• Paid time off accrued based on professional experience.
• Eight paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior