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Mechanical Engineering Associate Jobs in Tennessee

Associate/Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology or related field and / or equivalent experience * 3+ years of mechanical design experience * Good Mechanical ...

Associate/Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology or related field and / or equivalent experience * 3+ years of mechanical design experience * Good Mechanical ...

Mechanical Engineer

Chattanooga, TN ยท On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Associate/Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology or related field and / or equivalent experience * 3+ years of mechanical design experience * Good Mechanical ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Memphis, TN ยท On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology and 5 years' industry experience, or an Associate's degree and 10 years' industry experience. Knowledge, Skills, and ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Memphis, TN

$73K - $100K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology and 5 years' industry experience, or an Associate's degree and 10 years' industry experience. Knowledge, Skills, and ...

Safety We hold paramount the safety and health of our associates, our customers, the public, and ... Perform engineering calculations, stress tests, thermal analyses, and fluid dynamics simulations.

Safety We hold paramount the safety and health of our associates, our customers, the public, and ... Perform engineering calculations, stress tests, thermal analyses, and fluid dynamics simulations.

Safety We hold paramount the safety and health of our associates, our customers, the public, and ... Perform engineering calculations, stress tests, thermal analyses, and fluid dynamics simulations.

Safety We hold paramount the safety and health of our associates, our customers, the public, and ... Perform engineering calculations, stress tests, thermal analyses, and fluid dynamics simulations.

Safety We hold paramount the safety and health of our associates, our customers, the public, and ... Perform engineering calculations, stress tests, thermal analyses, and fluid dynamics simulations.

Showing results 21-40

Mechanical Engineering Associate information

See Tennessee salary details

$41.3K

$93.4K

$151.1K

How much do mechanical engineering associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical engineering associate in Tennessee is $93,374.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $114,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mechanical engineering associate?

Mechanical Engineering Associates are early-career professionals who support engineering teams in designing, testing, and improving mechanical systems and products. They typically assist with creating technical drawings, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and solving engineering problems under the supervision of senior engineers. This role is often a starting point for recent graduates in mechanical engineering, offering hands-on experience and opportunities to learn industry practices. Mechanical Engineering Associates may work in various sectors, such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or energy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mechanical engineering associate?

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineering Associate, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, CAD design, and problem-solving, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation tools, as well as exposure to industry standards like ASME, is often required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate and convey technical concepts clearly. These capabilities ensure high-quality project outcomes and efficient integration within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineering Associate vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectMechanical Engineering AssociateMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or equivalentBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supporting roles in design, testing, and manufacturingDesign, analysis, and project management responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, product development, and technical supportDesign firms, industrial companies, and R&D departments

The Mechanical Engineering Associate typically holds an associate's degree and performs support tasks in engineering projects, while the Mechanical Engineer has a bachelor's degree and takes on more complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles are essential in engineering teams, but the associate role is more entry-level and supportive in nature.

What are the most common challenges faced by mechanical engineering associates when transitioning from academic projects to real-world engineering tasks?

One of the most common challenges Mechanical Engineering Associates encounter is adapting to the pace and complexity of real-world engineering projects compared to academic assignments. In industry, projects often involve tight deadlines, multidisciplinary teams, and the need to balance technical accuracy with practical constraints like budget and manufacturability. Associates must also become proficient in using industry-standard software and tools, and learn to interpret and apply company-specific standards. Effective communication with senior engineers and other departments is essential for success in this collaborative environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineering jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineering jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Mechanical Engineering Associate jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Mechanical Engineering Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Mechanical Engineering Associate job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,374 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Nuclear

Mesa Associates Inc.

Chattanooga, TN โ€ข Hybrid

$95K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

GIG Nuclear / Generation Industrial & Government

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our โ€œmesainc.comโ€ domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

Mesa Associates is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership for design, analysis, procurement, construction, and implementation of modifications at commercial nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. The successful candidate will lead mechanical engineering scopes, serve as a technical point of contact, perform and oversee engineering analyses, and ensure that project deliverables satisfy applicable codes, standards, procedures, quality requirements, and client expectations.

This position is intended for an experienced engineer who can independently manage complex mechanical work, provide technical direction to engineers and designers, perform qualified reviews and checks, support proposals and project planning, and mentor less-experienced staff. The Senior Mechanical Engineer may act as the Mechanical Project Engineer for discipline-specific work and may support broader multidiscipline projects under an assigned Project Manager or Project Engineer.

Work Arrangement and Travel

  • Hybrid schedule with a minimum of three days per week in the office, typically Tuesday through Thursday.
  • Ability to travel to plant sites when required, normally approximately 6-8 days per month.
  • Ability to support longer field assignments, implementation activities, or outage work when project needs require.
  • Ability to satisfy client and site-access requirements, including unescorted nuclear plant access where applicable.

Required Education and Experience

  • Active Professional Engineering registration. Candidates who are eligible and able to obtain their license within one year from active employment.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
  • Minimum of six years of relevant mechanical engineering, including at least four years supporting modifications at operating nuclear power plants.
  • Demonstrated experience independently developing and coordinating mechanical engineering calculations, evaluations, specifications, drawings, reports, and design change packages.
  • Demonstrated experience leading mechanical portions of projects, coordinating technical interfaces, and managing assigned scope, quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
  • Strong working knowledge of applicable mechanical codes, standards, regulations, licensing-basis requirements, configuration-control practices, and accepted engineering methods.
  • Experience performing or overseeing field walkdowns, evaluating existing plant configuration, defining design inputs and resolving field or constructability issues.
  • Experience independently reviewing and checking mechanical calculations, specifications, drawings, and engineering change documentation in accordance with assigned qualifications.
  • Effective technical writing, verbal communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to interface professionally with clients, vendors, project managers, construction personnel, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Experience with one or more engineering design tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, Plant3D, Inventor, ANYSYS, Solidworks, ReCap, FARO Scene, Vault, or comparable software.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master of Science degree or other advanced engineering degree.
  • Experience supporting multiple commercial nuclear clients; experience with Constellation Nuclear is beneficial.
  • Experience with Industry Standard Design Procedure IP-ENG-001 or a comparable commercial nuclear design-change process.
  • Experience performing or technically reviewing pipe stress analysis using AutoPIPE, CAESAR II or comparable software.
  • Experience with piping systems, valves, pumps, pressure equipment, HVAC, heat transfer equipment, or other mechanical plant systems and components.
  • Familiarity with applicable mechanical codes and standards, which may include ASME, ANSI, API and NFPA requirements depending on project scope.
  • Experience reviewing vendor drawings, technical submittals, equipment data, procurement specifications and commercial or technical bid evaluations.
  • Experience supporting fabrication, construction, testing, implementation, outages, and field issue resolution.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the mechanical engineering scope for commercial nuclear modification projects and support multidiscipline project execution.
  • Act as the Mechanical Project Engineer for assigned projects when required, with responsibility for technical scope, interfaces, quality, schedule, budget awareness, and client communication.
  • Serve as technical point of contact for clients and provide mechanical disciple expertise during planning, design, procurement, construction, testing and implementation.
  • Prepare, review, and coordinate mechanical calculations, evaluations, specifications, drawings, reports, and design change documentation.
  • Establish and verify design inputs using plant drawings, calculations, procedures, specifications, licensing and design-basis documents, vendor information, field data, and applicable codes and standards.
  • Prepare and coordinate engineering change packages for modifications at operating nuclear plants and associated nuclear facilities.
  • Develop scoping documents, proposals, labor estimates, schedules, assumptions, exclusion, and required-input lists for mechanical engineering and design activities.
  • Conduct and lead field walkdowns to verify plant conditions, identify interfaces, obtain measurements, evaluate constructability, and support installation planning.
  • Coordinated mechanical requirements and interfaces with civil, structural, electrical, instrumentation and controls, procurement, construction, project management, clients, and vendors.
  • Perform or oversee qualified reviews and checks of engineering calculations, specifications, drawings, and design change packages.
  • Provide technical direction, task guidance, mentoring, and constructive review feedback to engineers and designers.
  • Identify and resolve technical risks, missing information, field conflicts, design-basis concerns, constructability issues, and schedule or budget impacts.
  • Review vendor drawings, technical submittals, equipment data, and procurement documentation for compliance with design and project requirements.
  • Lead or support client meetings, design reviews, vendor discussions, constructability reviews, implementation support, testing, and outage activities.
  • Maintain complete, accurate, and traceable engineering records in accordance with company and client procedures.

Successful Candidates Will

  • Demonstrate sound engineering judgment and make technically defensible decisions using codes, standards, procedures, calculations, plant records, or field information.
  • Interpret and apply codes, standards, client procedures, design criteria, regulatory requirements, licensing-basis information, and configuration-control requirements.
  • Produce and oversee clear, accurate, organized, and traceable engineering documentation.
  • Communicate expectations, status, risks, and required decisions early and professionally.
  • Work effectively in a matrixed, multidisciplinary organization and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Adapt to changing project priorities and resolve problems in field, design, fabrication, and construction environments.
  • Take ownership of technical quality and help build the capability of the mechanical engineering team.

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs