Senior Mechanical Engineer

The semiconductor industry is experiencing one of the largest periods of growth and transformation in its history, and Tool Install design sits at the center of it. At SSOE, we design systems that connect some of the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the facilities that power tomorrow's technologies. From tool hookups and utility systems to subfab design, cleanroom modifications, and equipment integration, our work directly impacts the production of next-generation chips used in AI, data centers, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, and advanced computing. Recognized as one of the industry's leading semiconductor design firms, SSOE combines deep technical expertise with a culture built on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Here, you'll work alongside some of the brightest minds in engineering, leverage cutting-edge digital and AI-enabled tools, and contribute to projects that are shaping the future of technology. If you're looking for meaningful work, technical challenges, and a place where your ideas matter, you'll find it at SSOE.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader, mentor, and trusted advisor across our Tool Install projects. You will lead complex mechanical design efforts for advanced semiconductor facilities while partnering with project teams, clients, and junior engineers to solve challenging problems. You will also help elevate the entire organization by mentoring engineers, sharing best practices, driving continuous improvement, and fostering the collaborative culture that enables SSOE to deliver industry-leading solutions for the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturers.

This role is based on our client’s N. Phoenix, AZ facility, where you will work alongside our integrated engineering team onsite each day and collaborate in real-time on projects that benefit from hands‑on coordination. Remote or hybrid work arrangements for this role are not available.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & System Design
• Serve as the mechanical authority on projects, by setting design direction, resolving technical conflicts, and ensuring system-level integrity from concept through construction.
• Own end-to-end mechanical design of semiconductor tool installations, from utility matrices and point-of-use (POU) connections (PCW, exhaust, specialty gases, chemical drains) to specialized systems for contamination-controlled environments.
• Lead the design, analysis, and specifications of complex HVAC systems, including air handling units, VAV systems, chillers, boilers, pump hydraulics, and exhaust ventilation, for advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities.
• Engineer ultra-pure water (UPW/RO/DI) infrastructure and process cooling/heating systems that meet the stringent purity and reliability requirements of fab operations.
• Design specialized exhaust and chemical delivery/drain systems for hazardous production materials (HPMs), championing a safety-first approach that meets or exceeds ASME, ASHRAE, NFPA, SMACNA, and SEMI standards.
• Analysis & Optimization
• Perform detailed thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses to optimize system performance, energy efficiency, and operational stability, directly influencing fab uptime and yield.
• Develop sequences of operation (SOO) and contribute to control system narratives that ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems with facility controls architecture.
• Apply computational and code-based methods to validate mechanical designs against applicable state/local codes, ASHRAE standards, NFPA 90A, and SEMI guidelines.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration & Project Delivery
• Drive coordination across electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural teams to deliver fully integrated mechanical systems on complex, multi-discipline projects.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, HAZOP studies, and constructability reviews, serving as the mechanical authority from concept through commissioning.
• Translate tool vendor requirements into optimized utility matrices that reduce installation complexity and accelerate fab readiness.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support during construction: RFI responses, submittal reviews, site inspections, field verifications, as‑built documentation, and system start‑up oversight.
• Develop and review project deliverables (drawings, specifications, calculations, and reports) ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and code compliance.
• Mentorship & Technical Excellence
• Shape the next generation of mechanical engineers by serving as a technical authority and mentor who raises the technical bar for the entire team.
• Review and guide the work of junior engineers and designers, providing constructive feedback that builds capability and confidence.
• Champion knowledge‑sharing practices, contributing to internal standards, lessons‑learned databases, and design guidelines that benefit the broader engineering organization.
• Drive a safety‑first design philosophy that protects people, processes, and the surrounding community on every project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited institution.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Arizona or eligibility to obtain by reciprocity within six months of hire. Responsible charge and mechanical design stamping authority are required for this position.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in mechanical systems design for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, microelectronics, or other contamination‑controlled manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in HVAC system design (AHUs, VAV, chillers, boilers, pump hydraulics, exhaust ventilation) and process utility systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for mechanical design.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of ASHRAE standards, NFPA 90A, IMC/IBC, and applicable Arizona state and local mechanical and fire codes.
• Proven ability to lead multi-discipline coordination efforts and communicate complex technical information clearly to clients, project managers, contractors, and cross-discipline engineering teams.
• Experience in delivering mechanical design packages, that include drawings, specifications, calculations, and reports for complex industrial or high‑tech facility projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with semiconductor fab tool installation design: utility matrices, POU connections, HPM exhaust systems, and ultra‑pure water infrastructure.
• Experience leading HAZOP studies, constructability reviews, and design‑phase risk assessments.
• Familiarity with SEMI standards (S2, S8, F15, and related) governing semiconductor equipment safety.
• Track record of mentoring junior engineers or formally leading small project engineering teams through complex mechanical design challenges.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $130,000 - $160,000 per year, commensurate with location, education, and depth of experience.
• Incentives: Leadership bonus program and ownership investment opportunities. We believe the people who build SSOE should share in its success.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer‑paid life insurance; and wellness program support.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match.
• Professional Growth: Dedicated professional development funding, PE licensure and certification exam support, conference attendance, and structured career advancement programs.
• Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) policy plus paid holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: SSOE actively supports flexible scheduling within project commitments and a culture that genuinely respects your time outside the office.