Lead Mechanical Engineer - Industrial Energy

Position Overview

Kiewit Industrial is seeking a Process/Mechanical Engineer to lead the engineering and integration of small power and central utility plants—including power (combustion turbines, recipricating engines), steam, chilled water, heating hot water, condensate return and related distribution—across complex industrial facilities and populated campuses. You’ll function as a subject matter expert (SME) for utility networks, bridging process and mechanical design with constructability, commissioning, and long-term operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who can both set technical direction and roll up their sleeves on deliverables for fast‑paced project pursuits and design efforts.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc is a full-service engineering consulting and design firm serving a broad range of the industrial markets. Our combined staff of more than 1,700 engineers and design professionals have expertise that spans all major engineering disciplines to serve the industrial, transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets. Our operations-focused engineering provides our clients with safe and efficient facilities, and it integrates our 130 years of construction experience to finish projects on time and to make sure that Nobody Gets Hurt. 

Our rapidly growing Industrial Engineering team, which includes process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, geotechnical, and civil disciplines, is a multi-faceted and leading-edge division of Kiewit with best-in-class technical expertise focused on EPC and design-build delivery of industrial projects in markets such as Advanced Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Mineral Processing, Renewable Fuels, Pulp and Paper, Steel & Aluminum, Industrial Buildings, and Campus and Industrial Energy, Water and Utilities. 

Location

This role will be based out of our Lenexa, Kansas or our Lone Tree Colorado office, and we offer relocation assistance.   

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Own the utility backbone: Define and steward standards for small power integration and central utility systems (generation, distribution, metering, and controls) from proposal into the detailed design phase.
• Front‑end development: Lead small teams of multi-disciplinary engineers and designers to develop project basis‑of‑design, utility master plans, load studies, and conceptual PFDs/P&IDs; develop utility demand/capacity models and expansion strategies for brownfield and greenfield projects.
• Detailed design support: As the subject matter expert, support design teams related to all systems as needed.
• EPC integration: Coordinate all aspects of design with the construction and operations teams to optimize layouts, modularization, and installation and commissioning sequencing.
• Vendor alignment: Lead technical evaluations and value engineering for utility equipment.
• Cost & schedule influence: Develop and define project scope, identify project risks & opportunities. Support project estimate and schedule development, to align with overall goals and requirements.
• Client engagement: Serve as a visible SME in meetings, workshops, and design charrettes; translate complex trade‑offs into clear recommendations for stakeholders.
• Mentorship: Coach early‑career engineers; build a bench for small power/CUS expertise across Kiewit engineering.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical/Process Engineering, or related field.
• 6–12+ years of experience in process/mechanical design for campus utilities (steam/chilled water/HW) and small power generation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi‑discipline coordination, perform technical reviews, and interface with owners and vendors.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Proficiency with PFDs/P&IDs, hydraulic calculations, and equipment sizing (pumps, heat exchangers, boilers, chillers).
• Experience designing facilities with strong constructability awareness.

Preferred

• P.E. license (or ability to obtain within 12 months).
• Experience in design of power and utility systems for campuses, data centers, or large industrial facilities.
• Familiarity with energy efficiency standards and decarbonization strategies (heat recovery, CHP, electrification).
• Proficiency in design tools: PIPE‑FLO/AFT Fathom/Arrow,  Navisworks, Bluebeam, and common estimating tools.

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