Department Manager – Mechanical Engineering

Valdes Architecture & Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department Manager at Valdes overseeing Mechanical, Piping, and Pipe Stress teams. Leading talent development and driving technical standards for diverse industrial clients.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeLombard • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $170,000 - $225,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mechanical Engineers, Piping Designers, and Pipe Stress Engineers/Designers
Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and development plans for team members
Conduct performance reviews, career development discussions, and succession planning initiatives
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture
Manage staffing levels, resource planning, and workload balancing across projects
Support recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding efforts to attract top engineering talent
Provide technical oversight and guidance for mechanical, piping, and pipe stress engineering activities
Ensure engineering deliverables meet Valdes quality standards, industry codes, client requirements, and project objectives
Review and approve engineering calculations, designs, specifications, reports, and construction packages as required
Promote the implementation of best practices, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives
Support the resolution of complex technical challenges throughout project execution
Partner with Project Managers and Discipline Leads to ensure successful project delivery
Monitor project performance, schedules, budgets, and resource utilization
Identify and mitigate technical and staffing risks that could impact project success
Support proposal development, scope definition, man-hour estimates, and project planning activities
Participate in project reviews and client meetings as needed
Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients
Support business development efforts by identifying opportunities for new work and expanded services
Participate in proposal preparation, presentations, and technical interviews
Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and professionally represent Valdes
Develop and maintain departmental procedures, standards, and workflows
Track key performance indicators related to utilization, project execution, quality, and employee development
Support strategic planning initiatives and department growth objectives
Collaborate with company leadership to align departmental goals with organizational priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution
12+ years of mechanical engineering experience within industrial, manufacturing, chemical, energy, life sciences, or related industries
5+ years of leadership or supervisory experience managing engineering teams
Strong understanding of mechanical systems, piping systems, and pipe stress analysis principles
Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering projects and teams
Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Ability to balance technical leadership with people management responsibilities
Professional Engineering (PE) License
Preferred experience leading both mechanical engineering and piping design organizations
Experience with industrial facility design, plant modifications, and capital projects
Familiarity with industry codes and standards, including ASME, ANSI, API, and related design standards
Experience with resource planning, budgeting, forecasting, and department operations
Proven success in business development and client relationship management.

Benefits

Comp & perks

At Valdes, you'll do more than lead projects—you'll help shape the future of industrial engineering.
Join a collaborative team of talented engineers, designers, and industry experts who are passionate about delivering innovative solutions for some of the nation's most complex industrial facilities.
You'll have the opportunity to mentor and develop high-performing teams, influence technical strategy, and make a lasting impact across diverse markets including energy, chemicals, life sciences, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
With a culture that values innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and continuous professional growth, Valdes empowers you to build a rewarding career while delivering projects that matter.

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Mechanical Systems UnderstandingPiping Systems AnalysisPipe Stress Analysis PrinciplesMultidisciplinary Project ManagementResource PlanningBudgeting and ForecastingEngineering Calculations ReviewQuality Standards ComplianceCapital Projects ExperienceDepartment Operations Management

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationLeadership SkillsOrganizational SkillsInterpersonal Skills

Certifications

Professional Engineering (PE) License