Senior Process Associate Jobs in Waterloo, IL (NOW HIRING)

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 industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering (LJC) 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, engineering, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

The Senior Mechanical Engineer / Stress Analysis Engineer is responsible for the engineering, analysis, and design of complex mechanical and piping systems supporting industrial and process facilities. This position serves as the technical authority for piping flexibility, stress analysis, equipment loading, and mechanical integrity while supporting multidisciplinary engineering teams through all phases of project execution.

Reporting to the Associate Principal Process Mechanical, this role provides advanced engineering expertise, mentors junior engineers, and ensures mechanical systems are designed in accordance with applicable codes, client standards, and industry best practices. The position plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable, and constructible engineering solutions for industrial, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, life sciences, chemical, and advanced technology projects.

The Specifics of the Role

Mechanical & Stress Analysis Engineering

• Perform advanced piping flexibility and stress analyses using industry-standard software (e.g., CAESAR II or equivalent).
• Develop and validate piping stress models for thermal expansion, seismic loading, wind loading, pressure, deadweight, vibration, and occasional loads.
• Evaluate nozzle loads and equipment interface forces for pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, tanks, and packaged equipment.
• Perform support design recommendations and evaluate pipe support requirements, restraints, anchors, guides, spring supports, and expansion joints.
• Analyze equipment foundations, structural interfaces, and piping interactions to minimize operational stresses.
• Develop engineering calculations and technical reports suitable for client review and Professional Engineer sealing where required.
• Review vendor equipment data to ensure compatibility with piping and mechanical system designs.
• Support mechanical equipment selection, specification, and installation requirements.

Mechanical Design & Engineering

• Design industrial mechanical and piping systems supporting manufacturing and process facilities.
• Prepare engineering calculations, specifications, equipment data sheets, and design narratives.
• Review P&IDs, equipment layouts, piping arrangements, isometrics, and 3D models for mechanical integrity and constructability.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with structural, electrical, process, controls, architectural, and construction disciplines.
• Ensure compliance with client standards, project specifications, and applicable industry codes.

Project Execution

• Support projects from conceptual design through detailed engineering, construction support, startup, and commissioning.
• Produce high-quality engineering deliverables within established project schedules and budgets.
• Identify technical risks and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, constructability reviews, and interdisciplinary coordination meetings.
• Provide engineering support during construction including RFIs, field inspections, engineering evaluations, and resolution of field issues.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the department's subject matter expert for piping stress analysis and mechanical system integrity.
• Mentor junior mechanical engineers and designers in engineering principles, calculations, and code requirements.
• Review engineering calculations and deliverables prepared by other engineers.
• Assist in developing department engineering standards, calculation templates, and best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and standardization.

Client Support

• Participate in technical meetings with clients, vendors, and project stakeholders.
• Present engineering solutions and communicate complex technical information clearly.
• Support proposal development by providing engineering input, estimating effort, and defining technical scope.
• Assist with equipment procurement by reviewing vendor submittals and resolving technical issues.

Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering required.

Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• PE license required for positions responsible for sealing engineering calculations and design documents.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience.
• Minimum 5 years of piping stress analysis experience in industrial or process facilities.
• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, chemical, manufacturing, food & beverage, life sciences, semiconductor, or industrial process projects preferred.
• Experience supporting projects from conceptual engineering through construction and commissioning.

Technical Skills

Strong working knowledge of:

• Piping stress analysis (CAESAR II or equivalent)
• ASME B31.1, B31.3, and other applicable piping codes
• ASME Section VIII pressure vessel fundamentals
• Pipe support design and flexibility analysis
• Mechanical equipment installation and nozzle load evaluation
• Thermal expansion analysis
• Seismic and wind load analysis
• Expansion joints and vibration mitigation
• Pump, vessel, heat exchanger, and rotating equipment interfaces
• Industrial utility and process piping systems
• Engineering calculations and technical documentation
• 3D design platforms (Revit, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD, or equivalent)
• Microsoft Office Suite

Core Competencies

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and engineering accuracy
• Ability to independently manage complex engineering assignments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to engineering quality, safety, and continuous improvement
• Ability to mentor and develop junior engineers
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering practical, constructible solutions

Success Measures

Success in this role is demonstrated by:

• Delivery of technically sound and code-compliant mechanical designs.
• Accurate and defensible piping stress analyses.
• High-quality engineering calculations and documentation requiring minimal revision.
• Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Successful support of projects through construction and startup.
• Positive client feedback and trusted technical leadership.
• Continuous improvement of departmental engineering standards and practices.
• Development and mentoring of junior engineering staff.
  

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide
  
• 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 Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
  
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
  
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green 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. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.