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Professional Engineer Jobs in Athens, TN (NOW HIRING)

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Professional Engineer information

See Athens, TN salary details

$39K

$81.3K

$114.3K

How much do professional engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional engineer in Athens, TN is $81,312.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $92,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional engineer?

Professional Engineers (PEs) are licensed engineers who have met the education, experience, and exam requirements established by their state or country. They are legally authorized to sign off on engineering projects, offer their services to the public, and take responsibility for the safety and integrity of engineering work. Becoming a PE typically involves earning an accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, gaining relevant work experience, and passing the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. The PE license signifies a high standard of competence and ethics in the engineering profession.

What does a professional engineer do?

A professional engineer uses mathematics and science to create safe and efficient buildings, machines, and applications. Engineers typically specialize in a particular field, such as aerospace, mechanical, or structural engineering. Your job duties vary depending on your area of expertise and employer but may include creating plans, designing machinery, or building skyscrapers. This career often involves a combination of office and field work. Frequent travel is an additional job requirement for many professional engineering jobs. Long hours and overtime work are also expected to meet deadlines.

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

To thrive as a Professional Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and a degree in engineering, typically complemented by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or project management tools, along with ongoing continuing education, is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and project management abilities help engineers deliver effective solutions and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure engineers can design safe, efficient systems and maintain high professional standards in complex technical environments.

What are some common challenges professional engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Professional Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritizing tasks, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Effective time management and clear communication are essential to handle shifting deadlines and resource allocation. Collaborating closely with project managers, clients, and other engineers helps maintain project momentum and quality, while regular progress reviews ensure that no critical detail is overlooked.

What is the difference between Professional Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectProfessional EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsRequires PE license, degree, work experience, examRequires degree, possibly fundamentals exam, but not license
Work EnvironmentDesign, review, sign off on projects, often in consulting or engineering firmsDesign, analysis, manufacturing, and testing in various industries
Industry UsageLicensed in engineering projects, legal responsibilityCommonly employed in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and more

The main difference between a Professional Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer is that the PE is licensed and authorized to sign off on engineering projects, ensuring legal and safety standards are met. Mechanical Engineers typically hold the necessary education and experience but do not have licensing requirements unless they pursue PE licensure. Both roles work closely in engineering fields, but the PE designation signifies a higher level of responsibility and legal accountability.

What can professional engineers do?

Professional engineers design, develop, and evaluate systems, structures, and products across various engineering disciplines. They apply technical knowledge, use tools like CAD software, and often require licensure to approve projects and ensure safety standards are met.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Athens, TN?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Athens, TN are:

What cities near Athens, TN are hiring for Professional Engineer jobs?

Cities near Athens, TN with the most Professional Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Engineer job openings in Athens, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,312 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Engineering Services Professional II

Milliken and Company

Cleveland, TN • On-site

$69K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Milliken & Company rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 62 rated fashion and textile manufacturers


Job description

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and  LinkedIn.

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and  LinkedIn.

SUMMARY: 

The Engineering Services Professional is responsible for ensuring optimal performance of all mechanical and electrical equipment to include continuous improvement, downtime reduction, energy consumption reduction, measurement, and environmental impact.  The Engineering Services Professional is responsible for creating standard process instructions, maintaining appropriate performance reports (building, production, environmental), and developing, evaluating, and maintaining preventative maintenance processes.  The Engineering Services Professional acts to establish collaborative internal and external relationships between engineering services team members, plant departments, and outside contractors and vendors.  The Engineering Services Professional assists the Engineering Services Manager in training, developing, and coaching team members by fostering a working environment that promotes open communications, teamwork and individual engagement to accomplish goals and objectives, by ensuring that work is properly allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner, by that written performance evaluations of associates are completed as required; provide continuous feedback on personal performance issues; take immediate action to recognize achievements, and by safety rules are clearly understood and followed.

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Textile Engineering or related field or equivalent education and/or experience
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Responsibilities:

•          Ensure optimal performance of all mechanical and electrical equipment to include continuous improvement, downtime reduction, energy consumption reduction, measurement, environmental impact:

            -digital drive, PLC, and process control systems

            -plant computer systems and networks

            -electrical power distribution and systems

            -motor, gearbox, belt and pulley mechanical power transfer

            -compressed air generation and transfer

            -steam generation and transfer

•          Create standard process instructions

•          Maintain appropriate performance reports (building, production, environmental)

•          Establish collaborative internal and external relationships:

            -engineering services team members

            -plant departments

            -outside contractors and vendors

•          Develop, evaluate, and maintain preventative maintenance processes

•          Understand and effectively participate in the plant safety process

•          Assist the Engineering Services Manager in training, developing, and coaching team members:

          -Foster a working environment that promotes open communications, teamwork and individual engagement to accomplish goals and objectives

          -Ensure that work is properly allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner

          -Ensure that written performance evaluations of associates are completed as required; provide continuous feedback on personal performance issues; take immediate action to recognize achievements                 and address deficiencies or problems

          -Ensure safety rules are clearly understood and followed

Other skills/desired attributes:

  • Communication skills – verbal, written, and group presentations
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment
  • Analytical/problem-solving skills
  • Leadership skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:                                                          FREQUENCY, AMOUNT, OR DESCRIPTION

  1. Standing:     Ability to stand operating equipment:                                                                     25% of day
  2. Sitting:          Ability to sit down for a meeting or work at a computer                                         25% of day
  3. Moving:       Ability to move throughout plant:                                                                             50% of day
  4. Lifting:          Ability to lift up to 50lbs:                                                                                          10% of day
  5. Climbing:     Ability to climb machine catwalks and stairs, etc. while walking in plant                 10% of day
  6. Push/Pull/Reach: Ability to push/pull cabinet drawers, reach for documents                              15% of day
  7. Bending:      Ability to pick up objects from the floor                                                                     25% of day
  8. Visual Acuity: Ability to read documents, computer screens, and SPIs                                       100% of day
 

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.


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