Department Manager - Mechanical Engineering

About the role

Valdes Architecture & Engineering is seeking an accomplished Mechanical Engineering Department Manager to lead and grow our Mechanical Engineering Department, including oversight of the Mechanical Engineering, Piping Design, and Pipe Stress teams.

Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

• 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