Senior Mechanical Engineer, Central Utilities and District Energy

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm delivering holistic built environments and sustainable systems. The company is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants, district energy systems, and steam infrastructure, while managing projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and supporting construction administration. The role also involves advising clients on modernization, electrification, decarbonization, reliability, and resiliency goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, assessment, and design of central utility plants, district energy systems, and medium- and high-pressure steam infrastructure for healthcare, higher education, government, and industrial facilities
• Develop utility master plans, feasibility studies, and condition assessments that evaluate replacement, modernization, electrification, and expansion, advising clients on reliability, resiliency, decarbonization, and budget goals
• Perform engineering analyses and produce designs, including calculations, equipment selections, layouts, PFDs, P&IDs, control strategies, sequences of operation, specifications, and construction documents
• Oversee pipe stress analysis and prepare capital cost estimates, engineer's opinions of probable cost, and design packages that support GMP/GMAX pricing
• Serve as Engineer of Responsible Charge, leading quality control reviews and signing and sealing engineering documents for utility and central plant projects
• Manage project scope, schedule, fee, and team workload while coordinating with architects, structural, electrical, and civil engineers, contractors, equipment vendors, and consultants
• Provide construction administration, including site visits, submittal reviews, responses to requests for information (RFIs), field observations, commissioning support, startup coordination, and closeout
• Mentor engineers and designers in steam system design and utility planning, contribute to internal design standards, and support business development through proposals, interviews, and client relationships

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 10+ years of job-related experience, including designing central utility plants, district energy systems, boiler plants, and steam distribution networks
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), or ability to obtain licensure by comity (reciprocity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office
• Ability to independently lead the planning, analysis, and design of medium- and high-pressure steam generation and distribution, condensate return, and chilled and hot water generation and distribution systems
• Advanced understanding of applicable codes and standards, including ASME B31.1 Power Piping, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, National Board requirements, NFPA standards, and the International Mechanical Code
• Proficiency developing process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control narratives, and sequences of operation, with strong knowledge of building automation, steam plant controls, and instrumentation
• Advanced knowledge of Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis
• Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas
• Experience overseeing pipe stress analysis and coordinating pipe support requirements for high-temperature piping systems
• Experience performing facility and condition assessments, feasibility studies, infrastructure master planning, lifecycle cost analyses, and decarbonization studies
• Experience preparing engineer's opinions of probable cost, conceptual budgets, capital planning estimates, and design packages supporting guaranteed maximum price (GMP/GMAX) pricing
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, utility outages, and phased implementation in operating facilities
• Proficiency writing specifications for utility infrastructure, boiler plants, distribution piping, and associated equipment
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and presenting complex technical solutions to owners, contractors, operators, and utility providers
• Working knowledge of site safety practices for field work in operating boiler plants, steam systems, and other high-energy utility environments