Mechanical Engineer Rotational Program Jobs in Chicago, IL

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be working with in-house Development, Architecture, and Construction teams to provide Mechanical HVAC Design and Quality Assurance on projects for our nationwide clients.

Projects will consist of distribution, industrial manufacturing, life sciences, food and beverage, or other industrial process markets for existing building improvements and new construction.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead mechanical HVAC engineering design and analysis including conceptual and schematic design, feasibility studies, and full construction documentation (drawings and specifications).
• Design mechanical systems including water, chilled water, HVAC, wastewater, cooling towers/condensers, boiler/steam, hot water, compressed air, and plumbing.
• Lead and mentor junior level Mechanical Engineers and Designers.
• Coordinate with equipment vendors, Procurement, and Preconstruction groups throughout the design process to support target-based value designs.
• Senior Mechanical Engineer is involved from the beginning to foresee preliminary design challenges.
• Review shop drawings and submittals to ensure compliance with scope of work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited university or college.
• PE License is required to seal engineering documents, with the ability to attain licenses in multiple states.
• Minimum of 10 years of related HVAC design experience, and knowledge of HVAC Systems Applications and Implementation.
• Knowledge of building mechanical codes and building material thermal values along with the ability to perform accurate load calculations.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD required, Revit experience preferred.

Some Things You Should Know

• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders - Data Center Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $120,000 – 155,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).