Job Title: Mechanical Engineer Semiconductor FacilitiesJob DescriptionThis role leads the mechanical engineering design for advanced semiconductor and mission-critical facilities, from initial concept through construction and commissioning. You will design complex HVAC, utility, and process systems that support semiconductor tool installations and high-performance cleanroom environments, while ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with industry standards and codes. The position combines technical leadership, detailed engineering analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring of junior engineers within a safety-focused culture.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead mechanical engineer on projects, providing clear technical direction and resolving design challenges from concept through construction.
- Lead the design of semiconductor tool installations, including development of utility matrices and point-of-use (POU) connections for process cooling water (PCW), exhaust, specialty gases, chemical drains, and other critical utilities.
- Design and specify complex HVAC systems for advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities, including air handling units, variable air volume (VAV) systems, chillers, boilers, pumping systems, and exhaust ventilation.
- Engineer ultra-pure water (UPW), reverse osmosis (RO), deionized water (DI), and process heating and cooling systems that meet stringent reliability and contamination-control requirements.
- Develop exhaust, chemical delivery, and waste systems for hazardous production materials (HPMs), ensuring compliance with ASHRAE, SMACNA, SEMI, and applicable regulatory standards.
- Establish and maintain engineering standards and best practices that promote safety, operational reliability, and long-term maintainability of mechanical and utility systems.
- Perform thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses to improve system efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.
- Develop detailed sequences of operation (SOO) and support integration of controls to ensure seamless interaction between mechanical systems and facility automation platforms.
- Validate designs through engineering calculations, modeling, and code compliance reviews in accordance with local, state, and industry requirements.
- Evaluate system performance and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, uptime, and overall facility effectiveness.
- Coordinate closely with electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural teams to deliver integrated facility solutions.
- Lead design reviews, constructability assessments, HAZOP studies, and technical coordination meetings throughout the project lifecycle.
- Interpret semiconductor tool vendor requirements and translate them into optimized utility designs that support successful equipment installation and startup.
- Support construction activities by responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, performing field inspections, providing site support, and participating in commissioning efforts.
- Prepare and review engineering deliverables, including drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, and as-built documentation, ensuring technical accuracy and code compliance.
- Serve as a technical mentor to engineers and designers, promoting engineering excellence and professional growth within the team.
- Review and provide guidance on design work, calculations, and deliverables produced by junior team members.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of engineering standards, design guides, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Foster a safety-first culture through proactive design decisions that protect personnel, facilities, and surrounding communities.
- Support knowledge sharing and technical training initiatives across the engineering organization.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Experience supporting semiconductor manufacturing, advanced technology, cleanroom, life sciences, or mission-critical facilities.
- Strong knowledge of HVAC systems, including air handling units, VAV systems, chillers, boilers, pumping systems, and exhaust ventilation.
- Strong knowledge of process cooling water (PCW), ultra-pure water (UPW), reverse osmosis (RO), deionized water (DI), exhaust, chemical distribution, and facility utility systems.
- Working knowledge of ASHRAE, SEMI, SMACNA, and applicable building codes and standards.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering projects from concept through commissioning.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret tool vendor requirements and translate them into optimized utility and mechanical designs.
- Experience performing thermodynamic, hydraulic, and psychrometric analyses for system optimization.
- Ability to develop sequences of operation (SOO) and support controls integration with facility automation platforms.
- Experience preparing and reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, and as-built documentation.
- Strong collaboration skills for working with electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural teams.
- Demonstrated ability to lead or participate in HAZOP studies, constructability assessments, and design-phase risk reviews.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or the ability to obtain a PE license.
- Direct experience with semiconductor fabrication tool installation design, including utility matrices, POU connections, HPM exhaust systems, and ultra-pure water infrastructure.
- Experience leading HAZOP studies, constructability reviews, and design-phase risk assessments for complex facilities.
- Familiarity with SEMI standards such as S2, S8, F15, and related semiconductor equipment safety standards.
- Track record of mentoring junior engineers or formally leading small project engineering teams through complex mechanical design challenges.
- Experience contributing to engineering standards, design guides, and lessons learned repositories.
- Interest in continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and technical training within an engineering organization.
Work EnvironmentThe role focuses on advanced semiconductor, cleanroom, and mission-critical facility projects that require highly reliable HVAC, utility, and process systems. You will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment alongside electrical, structural, process, chemical, controls, and architectural professionals. The position involves a mix of office-based design and documentation work and periodic visits to active construction sites and operating facilities for field inspections, coordination, and commissioning support. You will regularly use engineering software tools for calculations, modeling, and documentation, and you will participate in structured design reviews, HAZOP sessions, and technical coordination meetings. The culture emphasizes safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, with strong support for mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional development. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Austin, TX. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $160000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; and wellness program support. Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match. Professional Growth: Dedicated professional development funding, PE licensure and certification exam support, conference attendance, and structured career advancement programs. Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) policy plus paid holidays. Work-Life Balance: SSOE actively supports flexible scheduling within project commitments and a culture that genuinely respects your time outside the office. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Austin, TX. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Austin,TX.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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