Lead Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Job Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer – Practice Leader serves as the technical, operational, and strategic leader for the Mechanical Engineering practice. This position provides leadership and oversight for mechanical engineering services supporting industrial, power generation, electrical transmission and distribution, oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, renewable energy, and bulk material handling projects.

The Practice Leader is responsible for developing and growing the mechanical engineering discipline through technical excellence, client engagement, staff development, project execution, and business development activities. The individual provides senior-level engineering expertise for complex projects involving rotating equipment, piping systems, pressure systems, fluid handling equipment, bulk material handling systems, power generation facilities, utility infrastructure, process systems, and industrial plant operations.

This position acts as both a senior technical resource and a trusted advisor to clients while collaborating with company leadership to establish strategic objectives, develop market opportunities, mentor engineering staff, and drive the successful delivery of engineering projects across multiple markets.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Practice Leadership

• Lead and manage the Mechanical Engineering practice within the Columbus business unit in support of company growth objectives.

• Establish discipline standards, engineering procedures, design guides, and quality assurance processes utilizing Company’s existing SOP’s as the basis.

• Develop strategic initiatives to expand mechanical engineering services across targeted industrial sectors.

• Collaborate with company leadership on business planning, staffing forecasts, succession planning, and market expansion strategies.

• Monitor discipline performance, utilization, profitability, and resource allocation.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the senior technical authority for mechanical engineering projects.

• Provide engineering leadership for projects involving: rotating equipment, pumps and pumping systems, compressors and blower systems piping and pipeline systems, pressure vessels and tanks, industrial process equipment, bulk material handling systems, dust collection and suppression systems, utility and balance-of-plant systems.

• Lead conceptual, preliminary, detailed, and construction-phase engineering efforts within the discipline.

• Perform and oversee engineering calculations, equipment specifications, hydraulic analyses, and mechanical system evaluations.

• Review and approve engineering deliverables for compliance with project requirements, industry standards, and applicable codes.

• Provide technical oversight during construction, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities.

• Support engineering projects for: conventional power generation facilities, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems, substations and utility support infrastructure, electrical transmission and distribution facilities.

• Lead mechanical design efforts associated with cooling systems, auxiliary mechanical systems, fuel handling systems, balance-of-plant equipment, and utility infrastructure.

• Coordinate with electrical, structural, civil, and controls disciplines during project execution.

Project Leadership

• Function as Lead Mechanical Engineer on assigned projects.

• Coordinate engineering activities among mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, controls, and process disciplines.

• Support project managers with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and risk management.

• Ensure timely delivery of quality engineering services.

• Participate in proposal development and project execution planning.

Business Development

• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships.

• Identify opportunities for repeat work and new project opportunities.

• Participate in proposal preparation, scope definition, fee development, and project presentations.

• Support contract negotiations and business development initiatives.

• Represent the firm at industry organizations, conferences, and networking events.

• Assist in developing strategic partnerships with key clients and equipment suppliers.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop engineers and designers.

• Support recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and retention initiatives.

• Conduct technical reviews and provide guidance on engineering challenges.

• Promote professional development and advancement of staff.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications, Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution required.

• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) required.

• Ten or more years of progressive mechanical engineering experience.

• Eight or more years leading multidisciplinary engineering projects.

• Demonstrated experience serving industrial, power generation, utility, transmission and distribution, oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, or bulk material handling clients.

• Experience serving as Lead Mechanical Engineer, Discipline Lead, Engineering Manager, or Practice Leader.

• Demonstrated success in client development and business growth activities.

• Experience supervising and mentoring engineering staff; both new hires and inherited team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration.

• Willingness and ability to obtain licensure in multiple states.

• NCEES Record preferred.

Industry-Specific Technical Knowledge

The ideal candidate should possess working knowledge of one or more of the following areas:

• Power and Utilities: balance-of-plant systems, cooling water systems; utility piping systems, power generation facilities, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage support facilities, utility infrastructure projects

• Oil & Gas: API Standards, ASME B31.3, ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, pipeline facilities, compressor stations, pump stations, terminal facilities, storage systems

• Industrial Facilities: bulk material handling systems, conveyors and transfer systems, dust collection systems, pneumatic conveying systems, heavy industrial plant design, terminal and port operations, CEMA Standards

• General Mechanical Systems: rotating equipment, pumps, compressors, mechanical equipment specifications

• fluid handling systems; hydraulic calculations, equipment layout and constructability reviews, reliability and maintainability assessments

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Demonstrated success developing client relationships and generating repeat business.

• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.

• Ability to participate in the develop strategic growth plans for engineering services.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

• Strong mentoring and staff development capabilities.

• Ability to balance technical leadership, project execution, and business development responsibilities.\nCompany Description

Taylor Technical Services began business in 1977. Since then, we have grown to become one of the largest suppliers of Engineering personnel in the Houston/Gulf Coast area and Alaska. We pride ourselves in having recruiters and account managers that have experience and have worked in the oil & gas engineering industry.

Specialties: Cad Drafters, Electrical Designers, Instrument Designers, Structural Designers, Piping Designers, Electrical Engineers, Instrument Engineers, Structural Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Pipe Stress Engineers, EH&S, QA/QC, Procurement, Project Controls, Document Control, Administrative

Full-time