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Chief Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GRW

Chief Mechanical Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site

GRW has a career opportunity available for Chief Mechanical Engineer at our Lexington, KY headquarters. GRW is a full-service engineering, architectural, and geospatial consulting firm. The company ...

Allen Control Systems

Chief Mechanical Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$245K - $315K/yr

About The Role We are looking for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to serve as the highest-level technical authority on mechanical engineering and product architecture at ACS. This is a senior individual ...

Allen Control Systems

Chief Mechanical Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$245K - $315K/yr

About The Role We are looking for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to serve as the highest-level technical authority on mechanical engineering and product architecture at ACS. This is a senior individual ...

AECOM

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

Resource Management: Assist the Chief Mechanical Engineer with workload distribution for junior engineers and manpower loading plans. * Mentorship: Provide feedback, mentorship, and leadership to ...

Watco

Chief Mechanical Officer - Owosso, MI

Owosso, MI · On-site

Chief Mechanical Officer - Owosso, MI Job Location: GLC - Owosso, MI Office Location: Onsite ... engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center • Leadership and ...

AECOM

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Houston, TX

$99K - $131K/yr

Resource Management: Assist the Chief Mechanical Engineer with workload distribution for junior engineers and manpower loading plans. * Mentorship: Provide feedback, mentorship, and leadership to ...

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Chief Mechanical Engineer information

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$62.5K

$104.1K

$162K

How much do chief mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief mechanical engineer in the United States is $104,066.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief mechanical engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Chief Mechanical Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in mechanical engineering principles, project management, and a degree in mechanical engineering, often supported by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for overseeing complex projects, ensuring technical excellence, and leading engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions.

What does a chief mechanical engineer do?

A Chief Mechanical Engineer leads and oversees the design, development, and implementation of mechanical systems within an organization. They manage engineering teams, set technical standards, and ensure projects are completed efficiently, safely, and within budget. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments, troubleshoot complex engineering problems, and stay updated on industry advancements to maintain competitiveness. Their role is critical in ensuring the quality and reliability of mechanical products and systems.

What is the difference between Chief Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, professional licensure often preferredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in project management, overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign, analysis, and development tasks within engineering projects
ResponsibilitiesManaging mechanical projects, ensuring compliance, coordinating teamsExecuting technical tasks, creating designs, testing components

The main difference between a Chief Mechanical Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Chief Mechanical Engineer typically holds a leadership role, overseeing projects and teams, while Mechanical Engineers focus on technical design and analysis. Both roles require a strong engineering background, but the Chief Mechanical Engineer's position involves strategic planning and management.

What are some common challenges chief mechanical engineers face when leading multidisciplinary engineering teams?

Chief Mechanical Engineers often encounter challenges when coordinating diverse teams that include professionals from electrical, civil, and software engineering backgrounds. Effective communication is key to aligning project goals, schedules, and technical requirements. Balancing resource allocation, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that all team members adhere to industry standards can be complex. Additionally, Chief Mechanical Engineers must stay updated on technological advancements to ensure their teams deliver innovative and competitive solutions.
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Chief Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Mechanical Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,066 per year, or $50 per hour.

Chief Mechanical Engineer

GRW Engineers, Inc.

Lexington, KY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Are you a motivated Mechanical Engineering graduate with a passion for innovation, sustainable design and environmental responsibility? GRW has a career opportunity available for Chief Mechanical Engineer at our Lexington, KY headquarters.
GRW is a full-service engineering, architectural, and geospatial consulting firm. The company was founded in 1964 by Mr. G. Reynolds Watkins to provide engineering services to federal, state, municipal, and private industry clients. Since that time, GRW has grown to become a national design firm with offices in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia.
As a mechanical design engineer, you will work closely with architectural, electrical and structural department colleagues on various projects. GRW offers a wide variety of engineering services for our clients' infrastructure and building design needs. Our multidiscipline personnel function as a cohesive design team to create local and regional utility systems, energy-efficient buildings, environmentally sensitive site developments, and safe, modern transportation facilities. GRW provides comprehensive technical resources for all types of infrastructure designs. GRW's assignments range in scope from planning studies to projects with construction costs more than $985 million. GRW's teams have designed projects ranging from a few thousand square feet to campuses with gross building area over 600,000 SF. Experienced and accomplished in their own fields, GRW's mechanical, electrical and structural engineers are an integral part of our projects. These multidisciplinary design team members apply their expertise to deliver a project that is structurally sound, mechanically complete from heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), to plumbing and fire protection, and electrically designed to handle the project's needs. Because of our in-house team, GRW has capability to successfully plan, design and deliver large, complex projects, as easily as smaller projects. In addition, these professionals support our water resources engineers by providing expertise with the code specific mechanical, electrical, and structural systems design of wastewater and water facilities.
GRW offers a challenging work environment combining the latest in engineering concepts with career development to keep personnel up to date with the latest technologies and advancements. The right candidate will become the Chief Mechanical Engineer with potential to become a company stockholder. Your personal capabilities, interest, aptitude, and motivation will determine your professional growth.
GRW is seeking the following qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution
  • Professional Engineer (PE) certification, in at least one State in the US and must be able to get registered in KY within 6 months and in other States by comity
  • 10 to 20 years' experience designing mechanical building systems in a consulting environment
  • Advanced knowledge of mechanical system design including plumbing, fire protection, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and temperature controls
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and Revit
  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with team members and other disciplines
  • High level of organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Marketing, sales and business development experience
  • Client and Project Management experience
  • Ability to manage a staff of up to 10 other engineers and designers
  • Ability to plan project resources, maintain schedules and stay within budget
  • Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
  • Knowledge of life cycle costing, computer HVAC modelling and simulation programs
  • LEED accreditation
  • Desire, motivation and ability to exceed the firm's and clients' expectations
  • Dedication and willingness to continue professional growth
  • Desire in becoming an owner of the company and protecting financial interests of the firm

We are looking for individuals eager to develop their soft and technical skills and work on teams with other dedicated employees to complete the projects our clients need. Hiring the most qualified employees is important to us and the success of our company.
When you join GRW you'll be working for an award-winning, full-service design consulting firm with a history of more than 60 years serving our regional, national, and occasionally international clients. Our objective is simple. We value our employees and take pride in providing them with the proper resources and tools to help them achieve professional excellence.
This type of opportunity does not become available often! We invite you to apply to join our team!
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