Senior Mechanical Engineer

Overview

Imagine shaping the future of technology by contributing to the design and construction of the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities for industry giants. At SSOE, you won't just be executing tasks; you'll continuously expand your expertise by confronting diverse and complex technical challenges unique to this cutting-edge sector, supported by access to advanced training and leading design tools. We foster your ambition with clear pathways for career progression, whether your aspiration is technical leadership, project management, or becoming a revered subject matter expert. All of this unfolds within a truly integrated, multidisciplinary team environment that champions knowledge sharing and innovation, backed by the stability and proven excellence of a well-established firm renowned for its high-tech facility design. 

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at SSOE, you will be a pivotal leader in the design, engineering, and delivery of highly complex and specialized mechanical systems. You will spearhead projects demanding innovative thinking, execution, and an understanding of advanced mechanical principles within contamination-controlled environments. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on technically challenging projects, mentor developing engineers, and directly influence the success of our leading semiconductor clients and our firm's growth in this dynamic sector. 

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical system design for semiconductor tool installations:
  • Develop utility matrices based on tool vendor requirements.
  • Design point-of-use (POU) connections for all mechanical utilities (PCW, exhaust, gases, drains).
  • Ensure designs meet stringent vibration, acoustic, and EMI/RFI criteria.
• Lead the design, analysis, and specification of complex HVAC systems for semiconductor manufacturing environments.
• Engineer critical process cooling and heating systems.
• Design and oversee ultra-pure water (UPW) and industrial water systems, including RO/DI water, process drains, and chemical delivery/drain systems.
• Develop and detail specialized exhaust systems for hazardous production materials (HPMs).
• Perform detailed thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses to optimize system performance, energy efficiency, and operational stability.
• Champion safety in design, ensuring compliance with all relevant codes, standards (e.g., ASME, ASHRAE, NFPA, SMACNA, SEMI standards), and client-specific EHS requirements for HPMs.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, HAZOP studies, and constructability reviews.
• Drive interdisciplinary coordination with electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems.
• Conduct field verifications, site surveys, and as-built documentation to assess existing conditions, identify design constraints, and support construction and commissioning phases.
• Provide engineering support during construction, including RFI responses, submittal reviews, site inspections, and system start-up and commissioning oversight.
• Develop detailed sequence of operations (SOO) and contribute to control system narratives.
• Serve as a technical authority and mentor in mechanical engineering, guiding junior engineers and designers, and fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution is required.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of practice, or the ability to obtain reciprocity within an acceptable timeframe is required.
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical engineering design, with a significant portion focused on semiconductor facilities, cleanrooms, or analogous high-tech industrial projects (e.g., pharmaceutical, biotech).
• Demonstrated experience with design-build and fast-track project delivery for semiconductor tool install projects is highly desirable.
• Strong experience with at least one of the following hydraulic modeling software packages: PIPE-FLO, AFT Fathom, AFT Arrow, or similar.
• In-depth knowledge of HVAC (including cleanroom specific), plumbing, fire protection (general understanding, coordination with FPE), and process mechanical systems (UPW, PCW, process exhaust, specialty gases).
• Thorough understanding of relevant codes and standards, including ASHRAE (Std 62.1, 90.1, Cleanroom Standards), SMACNA, NFPA (especially for HPMs), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and familiarity with SEMI Standards (e.g., S2, S6).
• Proven experience performing detailed field verifications and site walks, with the ability to troubleshoot complex design and const