Senior Mechanical Engineer - Power & Energy FacilitiesAt Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That's why we're committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career-and they'll receive great total rewards along the way.
About Us:Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow's requirements are today's opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Job Summary: Salas O'Brien's Plymouth, Michigan office is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design and engineering of mechanical systems for power generation buildings, substations, energy storage facilities, data centers, and industrial/utility infrastructure projects. The role works within a multi-discipline team alongside electrical, civil, structural, and controls engineers, serving as a lead technical resource for mechanical scope across new asset development and retrofit applications.
Under general direction, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will serve as Engineer of Record and lead all aspects of mechanical system design engineering and analysis for assigned systems of responsibility, with primary emphasis on steam and power generation, power piping, balance-of-plant, and process mechanical systems, and secondary responsibility for supporting HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection scope, while mentoring less experienced engineers and supporting QA/QC. Project clientele includes electric utilities, independent power producers, behind the meter commercial/industrial, hyperscale and colocation data center operators, midstream oil and gas, and federal/DoD power and energy infrastructure clients across Michigan, the Midwest, and - as projects warrant - nationally and internationally.
Responsibilities:Mechanical System Design - Power & Energy Facilities- Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) as well as lead mechanical system design engineering and analysis for assigned systems within power generation halls, electrical distribution centers, low- and medium-voltage switchgear buildings, pump houses, engine generator buildings, blower/air compressor enclosures, control rooms, laboratories, chemical storage and handling areas, and flammable and combustible liquids storage.
- Lead the design of power piping and balance-of-plant systems, including main steam, feedwater, condensate, cooling water, service water, compressed air, fuel oil, lube oil, fire water, and natural gas piping systems for power generation and process facilities.
- Direct the specification and sizing of major power-cycle and balance-of-plant mechanical equipment, including pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, tanks, pressure vessels, and turbine/generator auxiliary systems, in coordination with the power, process, and electrical engineering disciplines.
- Apply and provide senior technical oversight of ASME B31.1 (Power Piping), B31.3 (Process Piping), and Section VIII (Pressure Vessels) for pipe sizing, materials selection, supports, and stress analysis on industrial-scale power generation projects.
- Direct supporting HVAC and plumbing design for power generation buildings, substations, and data center facilities, including equipment selection for packaged and process cooling systems, as a secondary scope in support of the primary power piping and process design effort.
Calculations, Analysis, and Studies- Direct and review power piping stress analysis, pipe sizing, and materials selection calculations for main steam, feedwater, condensate, and other balance-of-plant systems.
- Lead engineering studies, system performance reviews, energy audits, and energy compliance calculations to support efficiency, sustainability, and decarbonization initiatives.
- Perform senior-level code review and facility code-compliance analysis against ASME piping and pressure vessel codes, NFPA standards (including NFPA 13, 70, 75, 76, 850), ASHRAE, IBC/IMC/IPC (Michigan-adopted), and federal/utility standards.
- Lead hazardous-area classification reviews and coordinate mechanical scope in Class I Division 1/2 and similar classified locations.
- Direct the development of fire protection design concepts, including water-based suppression, clean agent, and detection systems for power and energy facilities.
- Oversee supporting HVAC heat load calculations and equipment sizing, using industry-standard tools (e.g., Trane TRACE 3D Plus, Carrier HAP, IESVE), as needed to support the primary power and process design scope.
Deliverables and Documentation- Prepare and provide senior review of complex engineering deliverables, including drawings (P&IDs, flow diagrams, equipment layouts, single-line mechanical and piping schematics), specifications, calculations, design basis documents, technical reports, and studies of varying scope.
- Lead design packages across Traditional Design-Bid-Build and Alternative Conceptual-Bid-Build / EPC project delivery methods.
- Maintain, and hold project teams accountable to, organized and accurate project documentation in accordance with Salas O'Brien quality standards and PMO best practices.
Coordination, Procurement, and Project Support- Lead multi-discipline design teams across the U.S. and internationally; direct coordination of mechanical scope with electrical, controls, civil, structural, process, and architectural disciplines.
- Lead the technical submittal review process, bid evaluation, vendor data review, and procurement engineering activities.
- Provide senior-level construction support, including responses to contractor RFIs, submittal reviews, non-conformance resolution, and site visits during construction and commissioning.
- Develop and maintain external client relationships, understanding client interests, drivers, and project economics; lead support of business development and pursuit activities, including proposal development and client presentations.
Qualifications and Experience: Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- Eight (8) to Ten (10) or more years of mechanical design experience with an emphasis on power generation, power piping, or process/balance-of-plant systems for industrial or utility facilities.
- Active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Michigan or a reciprocal state, or the ability to obtain Michigan licensure by reciprocity within an agreed-upon timeframe.
- Demonstrated experience serving as Engineer of Record and sealing construction documents on industrial or utility-scale power piping and process projects.
- Strong working knowledge of ASME B31.1 (Power Piping), B31.3 (Process Piping), and Section VIII (Pressure Vessels), along with NFPA standards and the Michigan-adopted IBC/IMC/IPC.
- Advanced foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and power-cycle system design.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and/or Revit; familiarity with plant design tools such as AutoCAD Plant 3D, SmartPlant, CADWorx, or similar is a plus.
- Working familiarity with HVAC design principles and load calculation tools (e.g., Trane TRACE 3D Plus, Carrier HAP, IESVE) sufficient to direct supporting HVAC scope.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and review the work of junior and mid-level engineers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including direct client-facing experience.
Preferred Qualifications- PE. licensure in multiple states.
- Extensive experience leading power piping and power generation design across one or more of the following: combined- and simple-cycle gas, reciprocating engine, combined heat and power (CHP), hydro, hydrogen, nuclear, solar/renewable, LNG, ammonia, fertilizer, and energy storage.
- Experience with turbine/generator auxiliary systems, feedwater and condensate systems, steam distribution, and main steam piping design.
- Experience with EPC project delivery, including procurement engineering, vendor coordination, and field execution support.
- Working knowledge of utility and federal/DoD client standards (e.g., UFC, FERC, NERC) and Michigan-specific utility requirements.
- Experience leading energy audits, system performance testing, and decarbonization studies.
- LEED AP credential, with experience leading LEED certification efforts on industrial or mission-critical buildings.
- Experience with supporting HVAC and fire protection design for substations and data center balance-of-plant, including control buildings, switchgear enclosures, and large-scale water-cooled chiller plants.
Skills and Attributes- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to develop appropriate technical solutions for unique and complex situations.
- Self-starter who can work independently under general direction while leading multi-discipline teams.
- Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, specifications, and design documents understandable to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Effective collaboration and interpersonal skills for working with internal teams, contractors, vendors, and external clients.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, code compliance, and quality assurance throughout the design lifecycle, including accountability for the work of others.
- Adaptability and willingness to lead across multiple market sectors and project delivery methods.
- Strong project management capability, including budget, schedule, and quality oversight.
Location: Plymouth, MI (Hybrid)
Travel: Up to 15%
Compensation & Benefits: The expected base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $150,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development support
For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.
Equal Opportunity Employment StatementSalas O'Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O'Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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