Valdes is a 200-person, multidisciplinary, engineering, architecture, and project management company with an expert focus on technical excellence. Every client project is assigned a dedicated team of professionals who provide personalized services and solutions. The Valdes success model consists of streamlined work processes, attention to detail, technical expertise, and an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction, safety and quality.

Valdes is guided by our purpose statement: We are talented people who thrive and achieve extraordinary results for our customers. 

Our core values reflect who we are, how we perform and what we aspire to:

Integrity Critical Thinking Excellence Teamwork Passion 

Valdes proudly executes all work in the United States to maintain the utmost quality for our clients. We are a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and hold the following certifications:

National Minority Supplier Development Council - MBE Certification

Illinois Department of Central Management Services - BEP Certification 

City of Chicago - MBE Certification

California Public Utilities Commission, The Supplier Clearinghouse - MBE Certification

Job Summary

• Principal Mechanical Engineer is the most advanced engineering position in the mechanical engineering department, requiring the candidate to have extensive Mechanical Engineering Experience working for a heavy industrial company, Power Generation or in the Oil & Gas industry. The Principal Mechanical Engineer’s main objective is to lead the execution of mechanical engineering design projects while mentoring young engineers on how to apply the engineering skills they learned through formal education. This individual interfaces with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers within the Valdes organization. Visit job site as required.

• Principal Mechanical Engineer’s responsibilities encompass all responsibilities indicated in the Senior Mechanical Engineer II Job Description as well as additional responsibilities listed below:

• Provide input to business development and upfront project execution efforts
• Provide consultation on mechanical/utility systems process issues and designs
• Identify a pathway to/and evaluate alternate mechanical/utility systems process technologies
• Identify department procedure requirements and help draft mechanical department procedures
• Track hours used to execute project tasks, review projects schedules, and complete efforts within allowed budget and schedule
• Manage large mechanical projects of varying complexity
• Set process design conditions and develop complicated equipment and vessel process designs/sizes for the Power Generation and non-process utility systems
• Review calculations, line lists, equipment lists, specialty items lists and equipment data sheets prepared by other mechanical engineers
• Provide assistance to mechanical engineers and designers in all aspects of mechanical design, including fixed and rotating equipment for heavy industries, Power Generation, material handling, plumbing, or HVAC
• Coordinate engineering effort with other departments to achieve project milestones
• On-site interface with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers
• Develop and review man-hour estimates and manage complicated mechanical projects
• All other duties as assigned

• Thorough knowledge within their Mechanical Engineering discipline specialty with the capability and the initiative to perform tasks without supervisory assistance
• Excellent knowledge of Mechanical Engineering discipline including understanding and ability to apply basic fundamentals in Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer in various type of Plant utility systems
• Demonstrate capability to accurately check work produced at all discipline skill levels
• Good computer skills, familiarity with common software as well as specialty mechanical engineering software such as AFT Fathom, PipeFlo, PV Elite, E-Tank 2000 and Trace 700
• Identify out of scope work on projects and resolves issues with project management.
• Demonstrate ability in applying engineering judgment
• Strong ability to think critically and logically, recommend solutions to problems that may occur
• Ability to communicate complicated issues in a simple manner
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong 2D AutoCAD experience and basic knowledge of 3D AutoCAD
• Professional Engineer Registration (PE license)

• 10 years’ experience supervising staff and managing projects from inception to completion including evaluating scope of work and assigning responsibilities
• Solid understanding of other discipline work flow and how all departments work together to complete projects
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Personable and able to work easily with others at all levels
• Comfortable working in a team environment and maintain a positive and professional relationships with co-workers and management
• Dependable self-started and self-motivated, with strong ethical principles
• Responsible and has ownership of projects and keeps management properly informed on project issues
• Strong ability to coordinate project work with other disciplines and project team to insure a quality product
• Able to initiate and follow through on assignments and coach junior staff on technical questions
• Ability to maintain good business relationships with key client contacts throughout the project
• Ability to handle difficult individuals and remain calm when employees or clients are confrontational
• Provide leadership on projects where mechanical is involved

• Must be well organized and able to prioritize work
• Ability to set and track goals
• Ability to multi-task and work on more than one project at a time
• Strong ability to commit to and meet project deadlines, and driven to provide outstanding service to both external and internal customers
• Strong ability to coordinate project work with other disciplines and project team to insure a quality product

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or above required
• 15 Years of experience working as a Mechanical Engineer 

Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement.

EEO/AAE