Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry Level) - Energy & Industrial (Summer 2027)

Location

Chicago, IL

Wage

$62,998 – $90,586/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on September 12, 2026

Job Description

Overview

This entry-level Mechanical Engineer position at Sargent & Lundy, targeting a start date in Summer 2027, involves applying knowledge in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics within power plant and oil & gas engineering projects. The role includes preparing engineering deliverables and collaborating with project teams to design and analyze mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

  • Apply knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
  • Involve in system engineering aspects of power plant and oil & gas engineering.
  • Prepare calculations to size equipment, piping, valves, and in-line piping components.
  • Prepare technical specifications and perform technical bid reviews.
  • Prepare technical studies and reports for client reviews.
  • Prepare Piping & Instrumentation drawings, equipment lists, line lists, valve lists, and material lists.
  • Coordinate with mechanical system designers for physical design and piping drawings.
  • Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and construction coordination.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering.
  • Strong academic background with interest in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
  • Experience with CAD software, such as AutoCAD.
  • Knowledge of mechanical engineering applications and design techniques.
  • Strong interest in numerical computations and problem-solving.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize workflow, multitask, and meet deadlines.
  • Customer service oriented with a passion for customer satisfaction.

Benefits

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

Additional Information

  • This position is based on a hybrid work schedule requiring in-office work 3 days per week.
  • Sargent & Lundy does not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO
401k

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $37/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $36/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL, whose middle half runs $28–$47/hr across 79 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 53% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 96 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 53 different employers. 30 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 374 other active welding openings from 234 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.

Sargent & Lundy currently has 7 other openings live in Illinois, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are S&C Electric Company (15), Gerber Collision & Glass (14), and Staff on Site (13). 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 $36/hr, Itasca at $36/hr, and Elk Grove Village at $34/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. Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry Level) - Energy & Industrial (Summer 2027) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.