Principal Mechanical Engineer

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