Entry Level Mechanical Lead Jobs
New grad mechanical lead jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a hands-on project portfolio can carry more weight than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Education, with employers like Jobot, Cleveland-Cliffs, and Salas O'Brien hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 415+ Entry Level Mechanical Lead jobs
Mechanical Engineer
At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.
About us:
Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Job Summary:
The Mechanical Engineer/Designer serves to design HVAC systems for buildings such as K-12 schools, retail/mixed-use spaces, industrial, healthcare and commercial spaces.
In this role, you will:
- Design Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning Systems for various types of facilities
- Produce mechanical design drawings in Revit software
- Perform field investigations
- Coordinate quality control, scheduling, and programming
- Coordinate and communicate information and progress with all three disciplines (mechanical, electrical and plumbing)
You will be a great fit if:
- You have demonstrated facilitation experience
- You have 2 to 5 years of experience in HVAC design and construction
- You have a solid understanding of duct design, piping design, air handlers, chiller, and boiler systems
- You have experience with performing load calculations, equipment selection and design, hydronic and air side system design
- You have knowledge of IBC, IMC and IPC codes, DDC controls, HAP
Skills/abilities:
- Must have strong verbal and written communications skills in design and specifications
Location: Roanoke, VA
Travel: Less than 10%
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Mechanical Engineer
At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.
About us:
Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Job Summary:
The Mechanical Engineer/Designer serves to design HVAC systems for buildings such as K-12 schools, retail/mixed-use spaces, industrial, healthcare and commercial spaces.
In this role, you will:
- Design Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning Systems for various types of facilities
- Produce mechanical design drawings in Revit software
- Perform field investigations
- Coordinate quality control, scheduling, and programming
- Coordinate and communicate information and progress with all three disciplines (mechanical, electrical and plumbing)
You will be a great fit if:
- You have demonstrated facilitation experience
- You have 2 to 5 years of experience in HVAC design and construction
- You have a solid understanding of duct design, piping design, air handlers, chiller, and boiler systems
- You have experience with performing load calculations, equipment selection and design, hydronic and air side system design
- You have knowledge of IBC, IMC and IPC codes, DDC controls, HAP
Skills/abilities:
- Must have strong verbal and written communications skills in design and specifications
Location: Roanoke, VA
Travel: Less than 10%
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 415+ Entry Level Mechanical Lead Jobs
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Find JobsEntry Level Mechanical Lead Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Jobot13
- Cleveland-Cliffs10
- Salas O'Brien9
- Affiliated Engineers9
- HDR8
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services98
- Manufacturing81
- Education33
- Technology & Software31
- Construction & Real Estate25
Entry Level Mechanical Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level mechanical lead job?
Focus on demonstrating hands-on mechanical knowledge through internships, school projects, or technical coursework rather than years of experience. Employers at this level look for candidates who understand mechanical systems, can read technical drawings, and show comfort coordinating with a small team. Certifications in CAD software or relevant technical tools give entry level applicants a concrete edge over candidates with only classroom backgrounds.
Which companies hire entry level mechanical leads?
Companies hiring entry level mechanical leads right now include Jobot, Cleveland-Cliffs, and Salas O'Brien, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring comes from a mix of manufacturers, engineering services firms, and industrial contractors that build junior mechanical lead roles into their staffing pipelines.
Are there remote entry level mechanical lead jobs?
Yes, though most mechanical lead roles require some on-site presence given the hands-on nature of the work. About 13% of entry level mechanical lead openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common than fully remote positions at this experience level.
Are these new grad mechanical lead jobs?
Yes, many of these openings are new grad and junior roles that welcome recent graduates and candidates with limited professional experience. A new grad friendly posting typically states that zero to two years of experience is acceptable, or explicitly counts internships and co-op work toward the requirement. If a listing mentions a portfolio or coursework as a substitute for experience, it is a strong signal the role is open to new graduates.
Which industries hire the most entry level mechanical leads?
Entry Level mechanical lead roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors tend to hire at the entry level because they maintain large mechanical teams where junior leads can develop technical oversight skills alongside experienced engineers and senior staff.