Lead Mechanical Engineer

Location: Charlotte, NC or Houston, TX
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer for a contract-to-hire opportunity with our client in Charlotte, NC or Houston, TX. This position will provide technical leadership and oversight for mechanical engineering and design activities on large-scale EPC power generation projects, including fossil fuel and combined-cycle power plants.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading mechanical engineering teams, managing project deliverables, and coordinating with clients, vendors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure successful project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Lead Mechanical Engineer on EPC power generation projects, providing technical direction and oversight of mechanical engineering and design activities.

• Lead and coordinate engineering personnel to ensure project deliverables meet technical requirements, schedules, and budgets.

• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and weekly progress reports.

• Prepare equipment inquiry packages, requests for quotations (RFQs), and technical scopes of work.

• Perform technical bid evaluations and provide equipment selection recommendations.

• Review vendor drawings, specifications, and technical documentation for compliance with project requirements and industry standards.

• Coordinate mechanical engineering activities with other engineering disciplines, clients, vendors, and project management teams.

• Conduct field walkdowns to gather information and support engineering design activities.

• Develop man-hour estimates and technical input for project proposals.

• Participate in client, vendor, and internal project meetings to communicate technical requirements and resolve engineering issues.

• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to engineers and designers.

• Review engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and deliverables for technical accuracy and quality.

• Apply applicable engineering codes, standards, and best practices throughout project execution.

• Sign and seal engineering documents as permitted by applicable professional engineering licensure requirements.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 15 years of mechanical engineering experience supporting EPC power generation projects.

• Direct experience executing large-scale EPC power projects required.

• Previous experience serving as a Lead Mechanical Engineer, including oversight of engineering and design personnel.

• Strong background in fossil fuel and/or combined-cycle power generation facilities preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of power generation equipment and systems, including:

  • Combustion Turbine Generators (CTGs)

  • Steam Turbine Generators (STGs)

  • Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs)

  • Balance-of-Plant (BOP) equipment and systems

• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, or eligibility for reciprocity and/or active pursuit of licensure with anticipated completion in the near term.

• Working knowledge of ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code; familiarity with ASME B31.3 preferred.

• Experience with engineering project execution, resource planning, scheduling, budgeting, and project coordination.

• Ability to prepare and review equipment specifications, RFQs, technical bid evaluations, and vendor documentation.

• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Experience coordinating with clients, vendors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.

• Must maintain active status in a drug and/or alcohol testing consortium.