Department Manager - Mechanical

Build your future on our foundation of excellence!

Are you looking for a rewarding career opportunity that also gives you a stake in a company's performance as an employee-owner? Larson Engineering, Inc. has a long-standing record of success since its establishment in 1979 and is a recipient of the PSMJ A/E/C Employer of Choice award.

Larson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and wants to remove any barriers to employment, so if you have any accommodation needs as part of the application or interview process, please let us know.

Larson is seeking an experienced, licensed Professional Engineer to lead our Mechanical Engineering Department, managing front-end engineering and detailed design projects across diverse process industries including pulp & paper, chemical processing, power generation, and industrial manufacturing. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape projects from concept through construction while mentoring talented engineers and driving business growth.

We are looking for a technically proficient, growth-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative, client-facing consulting environment and is passionate about delivering innovative, high-value engineering solutions.

Description

As Department Manager, you will serve as a key leader within our organization, making authoritative decisions and providing technical guidance across a wide range of complex mechanical and process projects. You will work independently and collaboratively, managing multi-discipline design efforts while directly engaging with clients, vendors, and contractors to achieve project goals. You will oversee and mentor engineers and designers while driving continuous improvement, business development, and technical excellence within the department.

This role requires a strong command of process and mechanical design in heavy industrial environments, as well as the ability to supervise, guide, and develop a team of professionals. The ideal candidate brings a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for mentoring, and a commitment to building long-term client relationships that support both immediate project success and long-term growth.

Specific Responsibilities include

• Serve as a recognized technical authority, providing guidance and oversight on all aspects of mechanical/process engineering projects.
• Lead and supervise a team of engineers and designers, providing mentorship, training, and performance development.
• Manage multi-discipline project teams, coordinating all phases of design, procurement, and construction support.
• Perform and oversee engineering analyses, including process design, piping calculations, pump and equipment sizing, hydraulic analysis, pipe stress analysis, and system balancing.
• Develop and review Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), equipment specifications, project estimates, and detailed construction documents.
• Provide technical review and QA/QC oversight to ensure design quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead business development efforts, cultivating client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and securing project work to support department growth.
• Participate in recruiting, developing, and retaining top engineering talent.
• Collaborate with clients, vendors, contractors, and internal disciplines to ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide field verification, site assessments, and construction support as needed.
• Facilitate implementation, improvement, and standardization of design processes, tools, and department best practices.
• Represent Larson Engineering at industry events and client meetings as a trusted advisor and technical leader.
• Limited travel may be required (typically less than 30%).

Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Paper Science Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive engineering experience in heavy industrial piping and process design, with at least 5 years in a leadership or department management role.
• Active Professional Engineering (PE) License required.
• Proven experience managing and developing engineering teams, with a passion for mentorship and technical leadership.
• Strong business development skills with demonstrated success building and maintaining client relationships.
• Expertise in the design and analysis of industrial process systems, piping design, fluid systems, and multi-discipline coordination.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, 3D modeling software, and process simulation tools.
• Project management proficiency with excellent organizational, budgeting, and scheduling abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a growth-oriented, client-first approach.

Benefits

Larson is a 100% ESOP company with an environment that challenges and empowers its employees, encouraging their growth while also offering flexibility for their personal lives. The full-time positions at Larson come with numerous benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, paid holidays, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional development. The firm also offers a 401(k) Plan in addition to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Please Note

This position may be subject to a pre-employment background check.

Larson is an EEO firm that uses E-Verification for employment.