Lead Mechanical Engineer

Gradiant is a different kind of water company, offering a full suite of proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment. Serving mission-critical operations in essential industries—semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium, critical minerals, and renewable energy—Gradiant reduces water use, reclaims valuable resources, and renews wastewater into freshwater. Founded at MIT and headquartered in Boston, the company employs over 1,400 people worldwide.

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Operations team to execute local projects in the USA. The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of relevant experience, with a preference for those who have worked in the water/wastewater treatment industry, EPC environments, and international projects. The role requires exceptional engineering skills, including the ability to review documents and drawings from Gradiant’s Global Engineering Center in India or outsourced consultants, interface with all disciplines, coordinate with the Project Engineering Manager, and lead design reviews with clients.

Responsibilities

• Engineering execution for water and wastewater treatment projects in the USA.
• Act as Lead Engineer in the engineering department, performing mechanical engineering tasks under the direction of the Project Engineering Manager.
• Apply procedures and protocols to enhance the quality, efficiency, and repeatability of engineering activities.
• Ensure engineering is completed accurately within schedule and budget.
• Receive basic process design from the proposals/sales team.
• Support P&ID preparation based on customer requirements.
• Supervise and review basic and detailed engineering based on customer and other disciplines’ design requirements.
• Be responsible for the design and technical support of all mechanical elements as part of an integrated system.
• Confirm compliance with customer specifications and requirements.
• Submit designs to relevant authorities and follow up for approval (e.g., PE approval for tanks and vessels).
• Coordinate with various disciplines to ensure mechanical engineering meets process, civil, structural, piping, electrical, and instrumentation requirements.
• Oversee review of vendor quotations and selection of vendors.
• Review Equipment lists, datasheets, line lists, valve lists, general arrangement drawings, and fabrication drawings prepared by mechanical engineers and vendors.
• Familiarity with engineering and interface requirements for tanks, vessels, pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, mixers, and package equipment (e.g., RO, UF, clarifiers, filter presses, centrifuges, crystallizers, chemical dosing).
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) activities.
• Collaborate with QA/QC and Construction Manager.
• Liaise with clients on technical aspects, providing justifications for design direction as necessary.
• Lead internal and external design reviews.
• Support commissioning activities.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental policies and regulations throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements

• BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience as a Lead Engineer.
• Water and wastewater treatment experience preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office and basic 3D model review.
• Experience in detail engineering of complex, skid-based, module-based, or stick-built treatment systems/plants.
• Familiarity with API, ASME, AWS, NACE, and AWWA codes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team and interact with all levels of management.
• Ability to travel as required for project needs.
• Experience working in a multicultural and international business environment.