Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Charlotte, NC
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership and project oversight for EPC power and industrial projects from our Charlotte Engineering Design Center. This position will serve as the Mechanical Lead on major projects, ensuring mechanical designs are executed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in power, energy, or industrial engineering, along with strong technical expertise in mechanical systems and equipment. This role will also lead and mentor a small team of engineers and designers while coordinating closely with clients, vendors, and cross-functional project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Mechanical Lead for EPC power and industrial projects.
• Lead mechanical design, engineering coordination, and technical execution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage mechanical project schedules, budgets, resources, and priorities while providing regular status updates.
• Develop Requests for Quotation (RFQs), evaluate vendor bids, and review vendor documentation and submittals.
• Develop scopes of work, job notes, specifications, calculations, and other engineering deliverables.
• Conduct field walkdowns and participate in constructability reviews to support project execution.
• Lead, mentor, and provide technical guidance to engineers and designers.
• Review engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and other technical work products.
• Interface directly with clients, vendors, suppliers, contractors, and internal project teams.
• Support proposal development, including scope development and engineering man-hour estimates.
• Ensure mechanical engineering activities comply with applicable codes, standards, specifications, and project requirements.
• Identify technical risks and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Support project teams through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Seal and sign engineering documents as permitted by applicable licensing requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of professional engineering experience in the power, energy, industrial, or related sectors.
• Strong experience with:
  • Heat exchangers
  • Pumps and rotating equipment
  • ASME pressure vessels
  • Mechanical and piping systems
  • Power plant equipment, including CTGs, STGs, and HRSGs
  • Mechanical equipment selection and specification
• Strong knowledge of ASME codes, engineering standards, and EPC project execution.
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical engineering scopes on complex projects.
• Strong project leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering, procurement, construction, and client teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience leading mechanical engineering scopes for combined-cycle EPC projects.
• Experience with power generation or large-scale industrial facilities.
• Previous experience mentoring and developing engineers and designers.
• Experience supporting proposals, estimating engineering hours, and developing project scopes.