Mechanical Engineering New Grad | Columbia, SC
This entry-level Mechanical Engineering position at Confidential Client in Columbia, SC offers new graduates hands-on experience in designing, analyzing, and executing mechanical systems for building projects, primarily in education and government sectors. The role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, client interaction, and adherence to quality and safety standards, supported by mentorship and professional development opportunities within a 100% employee-owned firm.
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, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position overview
This listing is for a Mechanical Engineering New Grad (entry-level) role based in Columbia, SC with a confidential client. The role focuses on hands-on HVAC/MEP design, analysis, and project support for education and government/municipal building projects. You'll receive mentorship, structured training, and opportunities to grow technical and consulting skills from day one.
At a glance
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Discipline: Mechanical / MEP
- Markets: Education and Government / Municipal
- Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP) — attributed to the confidential client
- Travel: Up to 5% (occasional overnight stays)
- Work schedule: Full-time, in-office
- Sponsorship: Not available
What You’ll Do
- Assist in the design and analysis of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for building projects.
- Create detailed designs, specifications, and calculations using engineering software and tools in accordance with codes and firm standards.
- Support HVAC load calculations, equipment selection, and system sizing.
- Participate in project planning, scheduling, and budget-aware execution.
- Document design decisions, client instructions, and drawings; monitor design progress.
- Work on low- to medium-complexity analysis tasks and collaborate with senior engineers to develop practical solutions.
- Join multidisciplinary teams (architects, MEP engineers, project managers) to deliver integrated, constructible designs.
- Participate in quality control and safety reviews to ensure compliance with standards and client requirements.
- Stay current with industry trends, energy-efficiency standards (e.g., AIA2030/MEP2050 goals), and emerging technologies.
What You’ll Bring
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent required.
Required skills & abilities
- Foundational knowledge of mechanical system design principles: thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics as applied to building HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection.
- Familiarity with HVAC load calculation tools and industry-standard engineering software.
- Basic experience with BIM workflows for mechanical systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication; ability to interact professionally with clients and project teams.
- Solid attention to detail, analytical problem-solving, and a willingness to learn.
- Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to travel up to 5% when projects require it.
Preferred qualifications
- Prior internship or co-op experience in building design or consulting.
- Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification preferred.
About the team & typical projects
- The team focuses on K–12, higher education, and municipal/public-sector projects across South Carolina, delivering full MEP and fire protection scopes for new schools, additions, renovations, and public buildings.
- The portfolio also includes public-safety, county, healthcare, and other civic projects when needed.
- Recent representative work includes school system upgrades, government facility mechanical system replacements, and university building additions/renovations.
Why join the confidential client
- Structured development program and an assigned mentor to build consulting and technical skills.
- Opportunities for innovation and internal projects that use AI and modern tools to streamline workflows.
- Employee ownership benefits (ESOP) and profit-sharing contributions.
- Support for professional licensure (EIT → PE) with exam prep resources.
- Flexible "dress for your day" policy and generous time-off benefits, including paid holidays.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage effective day one with wellness benefits.
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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