Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry Level) - Energy & Industrial

Location

Chicago, IL

Wage

$62,998 – $90,586/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on October 13, 2026

Job Description

Overview

The Mechanical Engineer 1 (Entry Level) position at Sargent & Lundy offers an opportunity to apply knowledge in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics within power plant and oil & gas engineering. The role involves working on mechanical systems design, analysis, and project deliverables in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

  • Involved 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.
  • Responsible for preparation of Piping & Instrumentation drawings and equipment lists.
  • Coordinate with mechanical system designers to develop physical design and piping drawings.
  • Potential travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and 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 project execution excellence.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO
  • 401k
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Additional Information

  • Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office work 3 days per week.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO
401k
Life & Accident Insurance
Disability Coverage
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Back-Up Daycare
FSA & HSA
Merit Scholarship Program
Employee Discount Program
Corporate Charitable Giving Program
Tuition Assistance
First Professional Licensure Bonus
Employee Referral Bonus
Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Bereavement Leave
Flexible Work Arrangements

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $37/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $38/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL, whose middle half runs $30–$50/hr across 79 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 46% 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 108 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 62 different employers. 50 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 368 other active welding openings from 212 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 10 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 Gerber Collision & Glass (18), Staff on Site (13), and S&C Electric Company (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 Downers Grove at $44/hr, Chicago at $38/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 figures were last recalculated when this page was built.