Mechanical Engineering New Graduate | Rock Island, IL

100% employee-owned firm offering big-firm resources with local-team relationships and a unified culture. This posting is for Summer 2027 New Graduate opportunities in Rock Island, IL.

About the role

Join IMEG as a Mechanical Engineering New Graduate and work closely with experienced engineers and consultants to deliver engineering solutions and advice that support positive client outcomes. This entry-level role provides hands-on design, analysis, and project execution experience with mentorship, training, and growth opportunities from day one. You will support the analysis, design, and implementation oversight of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for vertical building projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams and working within project budgets. The team specializes in education and campus settings, with additional experience in healthcare, civic lighting, aviation, and facility assessments, advancing high-performance, energy-efficient design aligned with MEP2050 and AIA2030.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and analysis of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems, utilizing engineering software and tools to create detailed designs, specifications, and calculations according to code requirements and IMEG standards.
• Interact with clients to understand their needs, gather project requirements, and communicate technical information effectively while building and maintaining client relationships.
• Work as part of a project team to support the execution of consulting projects, assisting in project planning and scheduling tasks to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Assist with documenting design decisions and instructions from clients while monitoring project design progress.
• Analyze low to medium complexity engineering tasks and propose innovative solutions, collaborating with senior engineers and consultants to develop practical and efficient solutions.
• Participate in IMEG quality control processes to ensure engineering designs and solutions meet IMEG quality standards, industry standards, and client requirements.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in mechanical engineering, and contribute to research, development, and innovation efforts within IMEG.
• Prioritize safety in all aspects of engineering work and identify and mitigate potential safety risks associated with mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including other engineers, architects, and project managers, to deliver integrated solutions that meet project goals while working within the project's monetary budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and concepts involved in the production of technical plans and specifications.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, including knowledge of principles relating to thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics as they apply to mechanical systems design in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for buildings.
• Knowledge of industry-standard engineering software and tools, including HVAC load calculation software.
• Basic knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information orally and in writing to individuals or groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to new challenges.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel up to 5% with occasional overnight stays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior internship experience in the building design consulting industry.
• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification.

About the Team

The Rock Island MEP team focuses primarily on education and campus projects, including higher-education labs, libraries, and facilities for institutions such as Valparaiso University and the University of Illinois. The team also works on healthcare additions, civic lighting, airport/aviation projects, commissioning, facility assessments, and technology systems. Recent projects include the University of Illinois Lab & Library (Education), Riverside Medical Center Additions (Healthcare), and Eastern Iowa Airport Terminal (Aviation).

Benefits

• Consultancy 101: A structured development program building your consulting and technical foundation from day one.
• Assigned mentor to guide your growth from day one.
• IDEA Program: A firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees develop and scale new tools, including VR, AI, and carbon-reduction technology.
• MEG: An in-house AI platform to help employees find information and streamline project workflows and calculations.
• Employee ownership (ESOP): Fully vested at all times, with a 3% to 6% company contribution plus year-end profit sharing.
• PE, SE, and other license exam preparation, with a clear path from EIT to PE.
• Dress for Your Day flexibility (wear what fits your day).
• Generous time off, including 6 paid holidays and 3 additional floating holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one, with preventive care at 100%, a $50/month wellness credit, and a Calm subscription.

Pay

State of Illinois Pay Range: $36.00–$38.00 per hour. The range represents the base pay IMEG reasonably expects to pay for this position in Rock Island, IL at the time of posting. Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure. Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options.

Schedule

Full-time, in-office position with up to 5% travel.