Mechanical Engineering Lead

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Mechanical Engineering LeadLocation: Buffalo, NY (with travel to other US project sites)Hire Type: Direct HirePay Range: $125,000 - $135,000Work Model: Hybrid/Travel as neededRecruiter Contact: Samantha Marranca | 716-256-1271 | smarranca@imaginestaffing.netNature & Scope:Positional OverviewThe Mechanical Engineering Lead serves as the owner’s technical representative responsible for mechanical engineering oversight across large-scale industrial facility projects and existing plant operations. This role ensures mechanical systems are designed, reviewed, and implemented with a focus on reliability, safety, scalability, cost control, and long-term operational success.This position blends project-based mechanical engineering leadership for new facility builds with hands-on support for reliability improvements and system enhancements at an existing manufacturing site. The role is instrumental in developing standardized, modular mechanical designs that can be replicated across multiple future facilities to support rapid portfolio expansion.Role & Responsibility:Tasks That Will Lead To Your Success

• Serve as the owner’s lead reviewer for all mechanical engineering deliverables produced by external engineering partners
• Review and approve equipment specifications, layouts, P&IDs, calculations, and datasheets to ensure compliance with codes, budget, schedule, and operational requirements
• Provide engineering direction during detailed design for material handling, grinding, drying, conveying, packaging, and related process systems
• Drive design standardization, modularity, and value engineering to enable efficient replication across future facilities
• Lead design reviews and coordinate with engineering partners, vendors, and internal stakeholders to resolve technical issues
• Oversee procurement technical reviews, vendor coordination, and factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Provide field leadership during installation, commissioning, startup, and system validation
• Support ongoing mechanical system improvements, reliability upgrades, and energy efficiency initiatives at an existing plant
• Develop mechanical engineering standards, templates, and best practices to support multi-site growth
• Promote safety and environmental compliance in accordance with OSHA and EPA standards
• Contribute to feasibility assessments and infrastructure planning for future facility expansion

Skills & ExperienceQualifications That Will Help You ThriveRequired Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience supporting industrial or manufacturing capital projects ($5M+)
• Experience acting in an owner’s representative or oversight role with EPC or engineering partners
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems including conveyors, fans, pumps, piping, HVAC, and rotating equipment
• Experience with design tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar platforms
• Strong stakeholder coordination and cross-functional communication skills
• Willingness to travel between project sites and operating facilities

Preferred Experience

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience standardizing mechanical designs across multiple facilities or projects
• Experience supporting both new facility construction and improvements within existing operations
• Familiarity with safety, sustainability, and environmental compliance standards in manufacturing environments