Mechanical Engineering Manager

Job description:

Position Summary

The Mechanical Engineering Manager serves as the enterprise Mechanical Discipline Authority and leader of the Mechanical Engineering functions.

This role is responsible for developing the people, processes, standards, tools, and systems required to support the successful deployment and replication of companys proprietary technology platform. The successful candidate will provide both technical and organizational leadership, ensuring mechanical engineering excellence across all capital projects while building a high-performing engineering team capable of operating independently and consistently delivering exceptional results.

This individual will be the company's go-to technical authority for mechanical engineering matters involving rotating equipment, static equipment, pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, utility systems, package equipment, and plant mechanical infrastructure.

Most importantly, this leader will help transform engineering knowledge into scalable systems and standards that can be utilized repeatedly across future projects, reducing execution risk while improving quality, schedule certainty, and cost performance.

Lead the Mechanical Engineering Function

• Build, lead, develop, and continuously improve the Mechanical Engineering organization.
• Hire, coach, mentor, and develop future technical leaders and subject matter experts.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, performance measures, and development plans for team members.
• Create succession plans and organizational capability roadmaps.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous learning, and technical excellence.

Serve as the Enterprise Mechanical Authority

• Act as the highest level of mechanical engineering technical authority within the organization.
• Provide guidance and approval for critical mechanical design and equipment decisions.
• Lead resolution of complex technical issues affecting projects, operations, reliability, and technology development.
• Establish and maintain discipline engineering standards, specifications, and engineering best practices.
• Ensure consistency of mechanical engineering decisions across all projects and facilities.

Develop Engineering Systems and Standards

• Establish repeatable engineering systems that improve efficiency, quality, predictability, and scalability.
• Develop and maintain:
  • Mechanical engineering standards
  • Design criteria
  • Equipment specifications
  • Datasheet templates
  • Engineering workflows
  • Technical procedures
  • Design review processes
  • Lessons learned databases
  • Equipment selection guidelines
  • Mechanical design tools and templates
• Capture and institutionalize engineering knowledge to support future facility deployments and technology licensing opportunities.

Support Capital Project Execution

• Provide oversight and direction to Mechanical Discipline Leads assigned to projects.
• Ensure project teams have appropriate resources and technical support.
• Guide mechanical engineering activities through FEL, FEED, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and startup.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables prepared by EPC contractors, engineering consultants, and equipment vendors.
• Ensure all mechanical deliverables meet company requirements for quality, safety, operability, maintainability, and reliability.

Manage Engineering Partners

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with engineering contractors, EPC firms, equipment suppliers, and strategic vendors.
• Establish expectations and performance metrics for external partners.
• Hold contractors accountable for safety, quality, schedule, scope, and technical excellence.
• Support contractor selection and performance management processes.

Drive Standardization and Technology Replication

• Identify opportunities to standardize designs across future facilities.
• Develop reusable engineering solutions and equipment standards.
• Support modularization and replication of proven plant designs.
• Reduce engineering effort and project risk through increased standardization.
• Support development of technology licensing packages and engineering documentation.

Collaborate Across the Organization

• Partner closely with Process Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Controls, Project Management, Operations, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, Technology Development, and Executive Leadership.
• Support plant reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate effective cross-functional decision-making and alignment.

Technical Expertise

The successful candidate will possess demonstrated expertise in:

Static Equipment

• Pressure vessels, Storage tanks, Heat exchangers, Reactors, Columns, Separators, Process equipment packages

Rotating Equipment

• Pumps, Compressors, Blowers, Fans, Turbines, Mixers, Gearboxes, Generators

Mechanical Systems

• Utility systems, Thermal systems, Reliability engineering, Mechanical integrity programs, Equipment lifecycle management

Industry Standards

Strong working knowledge of:

• ASME, API, ANSI, ASTM, NFPA, OSHA, Applicable industry and jurisdictional design codes

Within this role, you will:

• Build a highly capable and engaged mechanical engineering team.
• Develop future mechanical engineering leaders and SMEs.
• Establish repeatable systems, standards, templates, and engineering processes.
• Improve project execution quality, predictability, and consistency.
• Reduce engineering rework and project risk.
• Create scalable engineering solutions that accelerate future facility deployments.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor across the enterprise.
• Help position Company for long-term growth and successful global technology deployment.

Qualifications:

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience within chemical processing, petrochemical, refining, specialty chemical, advanced manufacturing, energy, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience supporting large capital projects from concept through commissioning.
• Significant experience with both static and rotating equipment.
• Experience leading engineering teams, technical groups, or engineering disciplines.
• Experience managing EPC contractors, engineering consultants, and equipment vendors.
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, standards, and project execution methodologies.

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) License.
• Experience scaling engineering organizations in high-growth environments.
• Experience developing engineering standards and best practices.
• Experience supporting technology commercialization or licensing models.
• Experience in recycling, petrochemical, process manufacturing, renewable fuels, or advanced technologies.

Leadership Competencies

We're looking for a leader who demonstrates:

• Extreme Ownership, Technical Credibility, Strategic Thinking, Strong Business Acumen, Coaching and Talent Development, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data-Driven Decision Making, Continuous Improvement Mindset, Courageous Leadership, Ability to Build High-Performing Teams

Why is This a Great Opportunity:

Offers a chance to tackle the global plastic crisis, providing career growth in an innovative industry, and features strong backing from major corporate partners