Sargent & Lundy

Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Energy & Industrial

Sargent & Lundy$118K — $180K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BSME from an ABET-accredited program; MSME preferred.
  • 10+ years of mechanical engineering design experience focused on heavy industrial plants.
  • 3+ years of experience leading an engineering design team through project phases.
  • Technical knowledge of mechanical systems design, equipment selection, and control philosophy.
  • Proficient in creating design schematics using computer design software.
  • Experience in client liaison roles within an engineering context.
  • PE license required or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of engineers in coordinating detailed mechanical design phases.
  • Investigate and troubleshoot diverse mechanical engineering challenges.
  • Develop integrated system designs for power plant and oil & gas facilities.
  • Prepare and review calculations for equipment sizing and optimization.
  • Draft and assess technical specifications for mechanical equipment.
  • Review piping drawings for accuracy and compliance.
  • Conduct independent reviews of drawings and calculations by peers.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package supporting employee well-being.
  • Opportunities for career development and peer-learning.
  • Potential for travel to client sites or vendor offices.
  • Hybrid work schedule requiring 3 days a week in-office presence in Houston.
  • Involvement in innovative projects focused on decarbonization and advanced technologies.
Full Job Description
Description

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

  • Acting as the Mechanical team lead by overseeing a team of junior and senior engineers and designers in coordinating detailed design phases for all aspects of mechanical engineering work 
  • Working on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting, and solving a wide variety of mechanical engineering issues 
  • Developing integrated systems designs for the planned work, including: 
  • Design, modification, and analysis of power plant mechanical systems, including primary steam/water cycle systems and secondary balance of plant systems 
  • Design, modification, and analysis of Oil & Gas mechanical systems/facilities, including compressor stations, meter stations, pump stations, pipelines, gas processing plants, wellhead systems, central gathering facilities, and CO2/CCUS facilities 
  • Preparing and reviewing calculations to support equipment sizing, optimization evaluations, and selection  
  • Preparing and reviewing technical specifications for mechanical engineering equipment 
  • Preparing and reviewing material lists, equipment lists, line lists 
  • Reviewing piping drawings (Isometrics, composites, plans, sections, and elevations) 
  • Preparing and reviewing engineering studies and technical reports 
  • Performing independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation 
  • Coordinating and providing guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design 
  • Performing reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and presenting findings and recommendations to clients and peers 
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”  
  • Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.  
  • Working directly with customers, interfacing with the commercial sales team, providing oversight and direction to others within the project team  
  • There is potential for travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination, field verification of designs, or supporting facility commissioning 
  • Provide input/oversight of company standards 
  • Desirable Engineering experience includes:  
  • Combined Cycle Power Plants 
  • Simple Cycle Power Plants 
  • RICE Power Plants 
  • Compressor Stations 
  • Meter Stations 
  • Pump Stations 
  • Pipeline Installation 
  • Natural Gas Processing Plants 
  • Central Gathering Facilities  
  • CO2 CaptureAPI Spacing Guidelines 
  • P&ID Development 
  • Piping Design Review 
  • Process/Hydraulic Calculations 
  • Equipment Specification 
  • Operational Reviews 
  • PHA participation 
  • Constructability Reviews 
  • Schedule planning 
  • HDD Bore Design 
  • Corrosion Protection 

 

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week in Houston, TX.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position. 

  

Essential skills and experience: 

  • BSME from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program is required; MSME preferred. 
  • Ten or more years experience in the design of mechanical engineering systems for non-commercial, heavy industrial plants (power, oil & gas, or chemical), with a focus on integrated, detailed system design for new plants, modifications, or replacements; Experience must include the selection of equipment, piping materials, control philosophy, and the preparation of performance sizing calculations and specifications. 
  • Three or more years experience in leading an engineering design team through all phases of a project design. 
  • Technically knowledgeable of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems to execute systems design. 
  • Able to create design schematics, such as flow diagrams and P&IDs, using computer design software. 
  • Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role. 
  • Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others. 
  • PE license or ability to earn a PE license is required. 

 

Valued but not required skills and experience: 

  • Construction and start-up experience a plus.
  • Commissioning experience a plus. 
AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
Compensation Range$118,023 - $180,313 Transparency StatementSargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus. About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

About Sargent & Lundy

Sargent & Lundy is an engineering consulting firm that provides comprehensive engineering, energy business consulting, and project services for power generation and transmission projects. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Sargent & Lundy has a team of over 2,000 professionals who have extensive experience in the power industry and can provide clients with innovative solutions to complex challenges. The company has worked on a wide range of projects including nuclear power plants, fossil fuel power plants, and renewable energy projects.
Learn more about Sargent & Lundy
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1891

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