Full-Time
Senior Staff Mechanical Design Engineer
Confirmed live in the last 24 hours
Plenty®
201-500 employees
Indoor vertical farming for fresh produce
Food & Agriculture
Hardware
Energy
Social Impact
Senior, Expert
Petersburg, VA, USA
Category
Mechanical Maintenance and Reliability Engineering
Thermal and Fluid Systems Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in engineering from ABET-accredited institution
- Minimum 12 years’ related work in architecture, engineering & construction environments. A focus on dehumidification systems, data centers, or related processes is desirable.
- Advanced understanding of mechanical engineering concepts, including thermodynamic and fluid dynamic principles. Sophisticated grasp of psychrometric principles and calculations.
- Experience with design and construction processes in the selection of equipment, materials and the preparation and assembly of engineering design packages, calculations, and specifications.
- Knowledge of industry standard practices, building codes, and thorough understanding of mechanical standards including ASHRAE guidelines.
- Troubleshooting and analytical skills are required
- Effective written and verbal skills to convey/communicate project requirements to internal and external project team members/partners
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project criteria to meet Plenty business and technical needs. This includes defining scope, specifying technical requirements as part of design criteria/ basis of design, and long lead equipment specification development, etc. for the Consultant/Contractor to develop project specific contract/construction documentation.
- Manage external consultants/contractors to implement project requirements from concepts through contract/construction documents, and construction administration
- Research new technologies related to HVAC design, equipment selection, and construction methods to drive innovation.
- Perform independent engineering and cost analysis, including but not limited to calculations of HVAC loads, system energy-use, and process gas demand, etc.
- Lead conceptual designs with Mechanical Engineering of Record (EOR) to ensure design options have been evaluated/vetted prior to proceeding with the final design option.
- Conduct reviews of consultants’ engineering calculations, design drawings and specifications to identify design and scope gaps to minimize change orders in the field.
- Review Contract/construction documentation including, but not limited to, building automation/management system design, including sequences of operation, instrumentation selection, process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) and panel drawings
- Coordinate with contractors, equipment manufacturers, and commissioning agents in collaboration with Consultants/EORs to ensure proper equipment selection, quality installation, commissioning and testing to meet design intents.
- Manage mechanical OFCI equipment/systems including leading technical requirement reviews with vendors, conducting specification compliant reviews and bid leveling with assistance from the Plenty Supply Chain team, and conducting factory witness testing.
- Provide construction administration support to the project team including, but not limited to, responding to RFI’s, reviewing submittals/shop drawings, design change bulletins and associated design and construction fees/costs, participating in bid interviews and bid leveling efforts
- Oversee HVAC system start-up and commissioning to ensure quality installation and the systems function as intended in the design.
- Track and manage budgets for HVAC and thermal system scopes
- Provide technical assistance for operations of HVAC systems, including chilled water plants, air handling systems, other refrigeration equipment, building management/automation, and controls systems
- Provide solutions to fast paced projects with competing priorities. You must be able to prioritize your work to meet project demands without compromising the quality of your deliverables.
- Respond to emergencies on an as needed basis.
- Train and mentor other team members
- Travel up to 25% of the time
- Others duties as assigned - we’re a growing scale-up so you never know what you might get the opportunity to work on as we grow
Plenty is involved in indoor vertical farming, which allows for the growth of fresh produce in a controlled environment. By stacking plants vertically, Plenty can maximize space and produce crops throughout the year, independent of weather conditions. This method uses less water and avoids harmful pesticides and GMOs, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional farming. The company primarily sells its produce to grocery stores, restaurants, and directly to consumers who value high-quality and sustainable food options. Unlike many competitors, Plenty's focus on advanced farming techniques enables it to maintain a consistent supply of premium fruits and vegetables, which helps it command higher prices. The goal of Plenty is to transform food production by providing a reliable source of fresh, nutritious, and environmentally friendly produce.
Company Stage
Series E
Total Funding
$961M
Headquarters
South San Francisco, California
Founded
2013
Growth & Insights
Headcount
6 month growth
↓ -6%1 year growth
↓ -15%2 year growth
↓ -14%
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Plenty's expansion into the GCC region with Mawarid promises significant growth opportunities and market penetration.
- The development of the world's largest vertical farming research center in Wyoming positions Plenty at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
- Strong brand reputation and premium pricing for high-quality produce ensure a loyal customer base and robust revenue streams.
What critics are saying
- High initial capital investment for new farms and research facilities could strain financial resources.
- Dependence on premium pricing may limit market reach to only affluent consumers, potentially restricting growth.
What makes Plenty® unique
- Plenty's indoor vertical farming method allows for year-round crop production, independent of weather conditions, which is a significant advantage over traditional farming.
- The company's focus on sustainability, including reduced water usage and pesticide-free, GMO-free produce, appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
- Plenty's strategic partnerships, such as with Mawarid and Driscoll's, enhance its market reach and operational capabilities, setting it apart from competitors.