Power Plant Construction Site Manager – Mechanical Trades

Location

Chicago, IL

Wage

$170,400 – $260,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on September 3, 2026

Job Description

Overview

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Construction Site Manager to provide on-site leadership for mechanical and process trades in the construction of large-scale thermal power generation facilities. This role is essential for ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality installation of major mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily field execution for all mechanical and process trades.
  • Oversee installation of major equipment such as gas turbines and steam turbines.
  • Manage subcontractors performing various piping and mechanical system installations.
  • Ensure compliance with project specifications and industry codes.
  • Conduct field inspections to verify quality and completion documentation.
  • Coordinate with engineering teams to resolve design issues and technical challenges.
  • Maintain strict adherence to safety protocols.
  • Track progress and provide accurate reporting on productivity and field risks.
  • Support commissioning and startup activities.
  • Build strong working relationships with subcontractors and client representatives.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent field experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in mechanical construction on thermal power generation projects.
  • Strong knowledge of thermal power plant mechanical systems.
  • Ability to interpret mechanical drawings and specifications.
  • Experience managing multiple mechanical subcontractors.
  • Strong understanding of mechanical safety practices and applicable codes.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Location – Greenville, South Carolina preferred, but any Jacobs office location nationwide will be considered.
  • Hybrid working policy allows splitting work between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k
PTO

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $103/hr, this posting sits about 172% above the $38/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL — toward the top of a $31–$45/hr middle band drawn from 90 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 100% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 104 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 65 different employers. 44 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 371 other active welding openings from 240 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Chicago, or widen the search to Illinois.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Staff on Site (13), S&C Electric Company (12), and Gerber Collision & Glass (11). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Chicago at $38/hr, Itasca at $36/hr, and Downers Grove at $36/hr. Chicago is among them.

Similar openings near Chicago, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Power Plant Construction Site Manager – Mechanical Trades figures were last recalculated when this page was built.