TKDA

Engineering, architecture, planning, and transportation design

Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer - Mechanical, Food & Beverage Processing

Building Services EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeDowners Grove, IL, USAHybrid

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university is required.
10–20 years of progressive professional experience in mechanical engineering and facility systems design is required.
Significant experience designing HVAC, plumbing, piping, industrial ventilation, and process-related systems for industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, agricultural processing, commercial, and institutional facilities is required.
Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination, is required.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain reciprocal licensure in project states, is required.
Experience leading projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases is required.
A strong understanding of mechanical building systems, process utility systems, and facility infrastructure improvements is required.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and designers is required.
Experience conducting and leading quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews is required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact directly with clients and project stakeholders are required.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required.
A valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 10% for client meetings, site visits, and construction support are required.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
Candidates must complete and pass applicable background, security, and drug test requests.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for industrial, food and beverage, manufacturing, agricultural processing, educational, commercial, and public-sector facilities.
Guide projects from initial planning and conceptual design through construction completion.
Design mechanical systems and manage projects, client relationships, and multidisciplinary coordination while mentoring junior staff.
Support business development by strengthening existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping expand the firm's presence within industrial and food and beverage markets.
Perform project work that may include HVAC systems, industrial ventilation, plumbing and piping systems, central utility plants, process utilities, steam and compressed air systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.

Desired Qualifications

Experience serving food and beverage manufacturers, industrial manufacturing clients, or agricultural processing facilities.
Experience designing central utility plants, boiler and chiller systems, steam and condensate systems, compressed air systems, process utility infrastructure, refrigeration systems, and sanitary process piping systems.
Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit MEP, and/or Plant 3D.
Experience with energy modeling software such as TRACE 3D Plus or similar platforms.
Experience preparing process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment layouts, process utility plans, and mechanical system diagrams.
Professional registration in additional states, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or South Dakota.
Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client account growth.
LEED accreditation or other sustainability-focused credentials.

Salary Range: 112000 to 169000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

TKDA is a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and design firm seeking a Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager to join our Facilities Engineering division.

In this senior-level role, you will lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex mechanical systems for industrial, food and beverage, manufacturing, agricultural processing, educational, commercial, and public-sector facilities. You will serve as both a technical leader and project manager, guiding projects from initial planning and conceptual design through construction completion.

Primary responsibilities include mechanical system design, project management, client relationship management, multidisciplinary coordination, and mentoring junior staff. Projects may include HVAC systems, industrial ventilation, plumbing and piping systems, central utility plants, process utilities, steam and compressed air systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.

As part of TKDA's Seller-Doer culture, you will also support business development efforts by strengthening existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping expand TKDA's presence within the industrial and food and beverage markets.

Hybrid Work Environment: Tuesday – Thursday In-Office | Monday & Friday WFH

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
10-20 years of progressive professional experience in mechanical engineering and facility systems design.
Significant experience designing HVAC, plumbing, piping, industrial ventilation, and process-related systems for industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, agricultural processing, commercial, and institutional facilities.
Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and multidisciplinary team coordination.
Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain reciprocal licensure in project states.
Experience leading projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases.
Strong understanding of mechanical building systems, process utility systems, and facility infrastructure improvements.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and designers.
Experience conducting and leading QA/QC reviews.Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact directly with clients and project stakeholders.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 10% for client meetings, site visits, and construction support.

Advantageous Qualifications

Experience serving food and beverage manufacturers, industrial manufacturing clients, or agricultural processing facilities.
Experience designing:
Central utility plants
Boiler and chiller systems
Steam and condensate systems
Compressed air systems
Process utility infrastructure
Refrigeration systems
Sanitary process piping systems
Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit MEP, and/or Plant 3D.
Experience with energy modeling software such as TRACE 3D Plus or similar platforms.
Experience preparing PFDs, P&IDs, equipment layouts, process utility plans, and mechanical system diagrams.
Professional registration in additional states, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or South Dakota.
Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client account growth.
LEED accreditation or other sustainability-focused credentials

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

Note: To be considered for this opportunity and to perform the assigned responsibilities, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be able to complete and pass any background, security, and drug test requests required by TKDA, clients, and state and/or federal agencies.

100% Employee-Owned

At TKDA, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 450 professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one
Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses
HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan
401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals
ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits
Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

**All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements.** TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H‑1B, F‑1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

*Pre-Employment Screening*

***Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies***

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.

About the Company

TKDA

Engineering, architecture, planning, and transportation design

TKDA provides engineering, architecture, and planning services across the United States. Its work covers Aviation, Rail, Surface Transportation, and Facilities, offering planning, design, and construction administration along with water-related and industrial projects. It operates through a 100% employee-owned ESOP model and has offices in multiple states, enabling nationwide service and stronger client relationships. The firm differentiates itself through an in-house, multidisciplinary team and a broad scope across transportation and facilities sectors, supported by an ESOP culture focused on long-term project success.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Doerun, GA
Founded: 1910

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