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 17, 2026

Job Description

Overview

This entry-level Mechanical Engineer position at Sargent & Lundy, targeted for Summer 2027, involves applying knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics in power plant and oil & gas engineering. The role includes working within project teams to prepare engineering deliverables and may require travel for design reviews and construction coordination.

Responsibilities

  • Apply knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
  • Engage 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 to support client reviews.
  • Prepare Piping & Instrumentation drawings, equipment lists, line lists, valve lists, and material lists.
  • Coordinate with mechanical system designers to develop physical design and piping drawing deliverables.
  • Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
  • 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

  • Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office work 3 days per week.
  • No work authorization sponsorship available for this position.

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 $37/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL, whose middle half runs $31–$47/hr across 76 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 50% 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 55 different employers. 32 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 333 other active welding openings from 207 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 8 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 Staff on Site (13), S&C Electric Company (10), and Gerber Collision & Glass (10). 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 $37/hr, Elk Grove Village at $36/hr, and Bedford Park at $33/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.