Mechanical Engineering Department Leader

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

The Mechanical Engineering Department Leader will work directly with other leaders and a variety of team members, including principals and project leaders, to ensure the mechanical engineering team produces the highest quality work deliverables. This position will require high levels of energy and drive, possess the skill to execute complex projects and a desire to deliver outstanding work product to clients. This person will lead a team of engineers and designers in the development of mechanical design documents and deliverables for all project phases (conceptual and detailed design, and construction documentation). The Mechanical Engineering Department Leader may execute work on multiple projects simultaneously as directed by project leaders.

The Specifics of the Role

• Work closely and coordinate with Industrial Process Engineering Management, Industrial Structural Engineering Management, and other Building Services Discipline Leads.
• Develop, Manage, and Support Building Systems Mechanical HVAC Engineers and Designers.
• Review of all mechanical HVAC and Controls Systems building design engineering work.
• Provide Mechanical Engineering leadership, review all mechanical engineering work and assure our team produces the highest quality work deliverables.
• Develop strong relationships within the Industrial Business Unit.
• Design building mechanical systems including water, chilled water, wastewater, HVAC, cooling towers/condensers, boiler/steam or hot water systems, compressed air, and other plumbing systems for custom, industrial applications.
• Completion of engineering calculations and oversight of mechanical design using Revit.
• Interface with vendors to accomplish equipment sizing, hydronic piping system design and selection of mechanical equipment.
• Develop specifications, interface with on-site project teams and inspect installations.

Requirements

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET institution required.
• 10+ years of experience in Mechanical Engineering with proven experience leading and developing a team of engineers.
• Holding a P.E. Licensure in good standing is required. The ability to obtain and hold multi-state P.E. licensure is required. Current multi-state P.E. Licensure in good standing is a plus.
• Experience in the mechanical design elements of cGMP for manufacturing and distribution facilities for Food, Beverage, and Consumer Products. Knowledge/experience in Clean Rooms, Laboratories, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, and Nutraceuticals is a plus.
• Knowledge/experience in refrigeration system design is a plus.
• Knowledge of proposals, construction contracts, AIA forms, and purchase orders.
• Strong leadership, effective communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Competitive nature/drive, looking to tackle extremely difficult challenges and find a way to succeed through any circumstance.

Some Things You Should Know

• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.