Mechanical Engineering Graduate - Designer 1
This entry-level Mechanical Engineering role at Confidential Client in Naperville, IL offers new graduates hands-on experience in designing, analyzing, and overseeing mechanical systems for vertical building projects, with a focus on HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection. The position emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, client interaction, and adherence to energy-efficient design standards, supported by mentorship and professional growth opportunities within a 100% employee-owned company.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Mechanical Engineering / Building Design Consulting (Education market).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
You will join a project team supporting building design projects (primarily education and healthcare markets) and assist with mechanical systems design, analysis, and project delivery. Typical responsibilities include:
- Assist in the design and analysis of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems using industry software and standard engineering methods.
- Prepare calculations, equipment selections, design specifications, and construction documents that meet codes and project requirements.
- Support project planning, scheduling, and budget tracking as part of a consulting team.
- Interact professionally with clients, gather project requirements, and communicate technical information clearly.
- Document design decisions and track progress; support quality control and review processes.
- Analyze low- to medium-complexity engineering tasks and propose practical, code-compliant solutions with guidance from senior engineers.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and project managers to deliver coordinated, high-performance designs aligned with energy and sustainability goals.
- Keep current with industry trends, tools, and best practices; contribute to innovation initiatives and team learning.
- Prioritize safety by identifying potential risks and design mitigations.
- Travel occasionally (up to 5%), including occasional overnight stays.
What You’ll Bring
Required
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
- Working knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals: thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics as applied to HVAC and plumbing systems.
- Familiarity with HVAC load calculation software and other industry-standard engineering tools.
- Basic experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Attention to detail, analytical problem-solving, and eagerness to learn.
- Ability to travel up to 5% for project work.
Preferred
- Prior internship or co-op experience in building design consulting.
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
- Regular ability to sit, walk, stand, communicate, see and hear; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Occasionally required to drive, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, or pull.
- Typical office and occasional jobsite exposure to weather and noise.
- Work schedule: Full-time, hybrid (office + remote as defined by the client).
Compensation & Benefits
State of Illinois Salary Range: $76,000–$78,000 per year.
This range represents the base pay the confidential client reasonably expects to pay for this role in Naperville, IL. Final compensation will be determined by job-related factors such as experience, education, skills, and certifications.
Benefits highlights (provided by the confidential client)
- Employee ownership program (ESOP) and potential profit sharing.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one; preventive care covered at 100%.
- Structured development program and assigned mentor to support early-career growth.
- Exam prep support (EIT → PE) and professional development.
- Paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible "dress for your day" policy.
- Access to in-house tools and innovation programs that support productivity and technical development.
Location & Sponsorship
- Location: Naperville, IL (hybrid work model).
- Sponsorship: Not available for this role.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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