Process Mechanical Discipline Lead - Design Build (Water/Wastewater)

Water At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we’re redefining how water infrastructure is planned, designed, and delivered to create healthier, more resilient communities.

We’re seeking a Process Mechanical Discipline Lead to support our expanding Water Infrastructure portfolio, delivering complex municipal and industrial projects using design‑build and other alternative delivery models. This role blends deep process and mechanical engineering expertise with team leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and direct client engagement.

Your Impact

As a Process Mechanical Discipline Lead, you will lead the planning, design, and delivery of process and mechanical systems that are central to water and wastewater treatment facilities. You’ll guide teams responsible for process equipment, piping, hydraulics, and treatment technologies while working closely with clients, constructors, and internal partners to deliver efficient, reliable, and sustainable solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical & Project Leadership

• Serve as the Process Mechanical Discipline Lead for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including treatment plants, reservoirs, pumping stations, reuse facilities, and conveyance systems.
• Lead the development and review of process plans, equipment selection, layouts, piping systems, hydraulic profiles, and design criteria.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for calculations, reports, drawings, and specifications.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, construction partners,  electrical, instrumentation & controls (I&C), structural, and civil disciplines to ensure fully integrated system designs.
• Support construction activities including constructability reviews, submittal reviews, technical RFIs, and field support.

Design‑Build & Delivery Excellence

• Play a critical role on design‑build projects, supporting collaborative and accelerated delivery schedules.
• Participate in pursuit and proposal efforts, including technical approaches, scope development, cost input, and client interviews.
• Partner with construction teams, partners, and equipment vendors to develop practical, maintainable, and cost‑effective solutions.
• Identify and manage technical, operational, and construction‑related risks throughout project delivery.

People & Discipline Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop our teams of supporting process and mechanical engineers and designers across multiple projects.
• Support workforce planning, coaching, performance feedback, and technical development within the process mechanical discipline.
• Champion Jacobs’ standards for safety, quality, innovation, and inclusion.
• Contribute to the advancement of discipline best practices, standards, and technical excellence.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Interface directly with internal and external clients, serving as a trusted process/mechanical engineering advisor.
• Participate in client meetings, technical workshops, coordination sessions, and project reviews. Ability to travel approximately 10% of time to client and project sites in the Midwest and Northeast regions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, contractors, equipment suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support business development by strengthening client confidence and identifying future project opportunities.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 10+ years of progressive process/mechanical engineering experience, with a strong focus on water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading process/mechanical scope on large, complex water or wastewater infrastructure projects (design‑build or alternative delivery projects preferred).
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver high‑quality, reliable designs.
• Strong communication skills and experience working directly with clients and multidisciplinary teams. Ideally, you'll also have 
• Familiarity with common water and wastewater treatment processes, equipment, and regulatory requirements.

• Experience supporting proposals, pursuits, and client interviews.
• Passion for mentoring and developing engineering talent.
• Interest in innovation, optimization, and sustainable treatment solutions.

#LI-AD2

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

135,000.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

195,000.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $135,000.00 to $195,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on April 27, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Cincinnati	Ohio	United States
Cleveland	Ohio	United States
Troy	Michigan	United States
Columbus	Ohio	United States
Silver Spring	Maryland	United States
Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	United States
Reston	Virginia	United States
Richmond	Virginia	United States
Virginia Beach	Virginia	United States
Indianapolis	Indiana	United States
Kansas City	Missouri	United States
St. Louis	Missouri	United States
Chicago	Illinois	United States
Milwaukee	Wisconsin	United States
Mendota Heights	Minnesota	United States