Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

About Us
The PEPM Group, based in Tulsa, OK, and Fayetteville, AR, is an award-winning and fast-growing engineering and project management company specializing in food processing facilities, oil/gas, and energy sectors. Our team of Professional Engineers (PE and Peng) is licensed in 49 states and Canada. PEPM was voted the 2024 Best Engineering Firm (Gold) in Northwest Arkansas and awarded the Oklahoma Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting 2025

Role Overview

The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer serves as a technical authority and client-facing leader for complex food & beverage facility projects. This role focuses on engineering oversight, design review, mentorship, and strategic problem-solving, rather than heavy day-to-day production.

This is an ideal role for a senior engineer who enjoys owning technical direction, supporting project teams, and partnering closely with clients, while remaining hands-on enough to stay sharp.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for mechanical, utility, plumbing, and HVAC systems on food & beverage projects
• Provide engineering oversight and review for:
• Boilers, steam & condensate systems
• Thermal fluid systems
• Compressed air and vacuum systems
• High/low-pressure water and chilled water systems
• Utility and process piping systems
• Review and approve engineering calculations, layouts, AutoCAD 2D drawings, and Revit 3D models
• Mentor and technically guide Senior and Junior Mechanical Engineers
• Support Project Managers with technical input for proposals and pursuits
• Interface directly with clients, vendors, and multidisciplinary teams
• Participate in field evaluations to validate design intent and resolve constructability issues
• Ensure designs meet applicable codes, standards, and best practices
• Contribute to continuous improvement of PEPM's engineering standards and processes

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• 10–15+ years of mechanical engineering experience, primarily within food & beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, or industrial processing facilities
• Deep working knowledge of: USDA, FDA, OSHA; ASHRAE, ASME, and applicable codes
• Strong ability to review, guide, and optimize designs, not just produce them
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to lead technically, manage priorities, and deliver within schedule and budget

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $150, $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending