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

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.

• 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.

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