Sr/ Staff Mechanical Engineer

About Alkalinea

Alkalinea places technical roles on key industrial construction and manufacturing projects nationwide, with a focus on building teams for electric vehicle manufacturing, battery manufacturing, critical minerals, and data centers.

Role Overview

Alkalinea is looking for a highly motivated Sr./Staff Mechanical Engineer to support our client, a vertically integrated critical minerals company, in building the critical minerals supply chain behind the world's energy transition.

In this role, you will lead the development and deployment of first-of-its-kind chemical refining processes, while also supporting development of software for project execution and plant optimization. You will design, build, and commission mineral processing and metallurgical refining equipment, develop first-principles-based models of refining equipment and processes, and lead equipment scopes from concept through to design, installation, commissioning, ramp, and handover to the operations team. This is a hands-on, first-principles role for an engineer who wants to help build the world's most advanced minerals refining facilities.

What You'll Do

Lead mechanical engineering scopes across project phases—from concept and feasibility through detailed design, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning

Manage vendors throughout the equipment lifecycle—from specification, RFQ, and technical bid evaluation through drawing review and approval, fabrication expediting and inspection (ITP/FAT), delivery, installation and commissioning support, and warranty close-out

Develop site-wide and area-level plant layouts, optimizing equipment arrangement, maintainability access, constructability, safety, and integration with other disciplines

Prepare mechanical equipment specifications, data sheets, and requisition packages for a range of process and solids-handling equipment, and support technical bid evaluations and vendor selection

Perform static equipment design of tanks, silos, bins, pressure vessels, and other stationary equipment, including mechanical sizing, wall/shell thickness, and structural load calculations ensuring code compliance

Conduct finite element analysis (FEA) to validate equipment and component designs for stress, fatigue, thermal, and operational loading conditions

Design, evaluate, and integrate solids-handling and material-conveyance systems, including silos, bins, hoppers, feeders, conveyors, bucket elevators, chutes, and dust-control systems

Support development of 3D models and piping/mechanical interface layouts, ensuring alignment with process, structural, civil, and electrical engineering requirements

Review vendor drawings and calculations, ensuring mechanical design compliance with project requirements, codes, standards, and operability/maintainability expectations

Collaborate with multidisciplinary EPC teams—including process, structural, piping, electrical, instrumentation, and construction management—to deliver cohesive and constructible engineering packages

Provide mechanical engineering support during construction and commissioning, including responding to RFIs, reviewing field changes, and assisting with equipment installation and start-up

What You'll Bring

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to leverage that understanding to solve challenging problems

Experience preparing and reviewing mechanical equipment specifications, vendor documentation, and engineering deliverables for both brownfield modifications and greenfield facilities

Demonstrated ability to complete static equipment design of tanks, silos, bins, vessels, and other stationary equipment, including code-based mechanical and structural calculations

FEA capabilities—proficiency with finite element analysis tools to validate equipment and component designs for stress, fatigue, and thermal/operational loading

Working knowledge of relevant industry standards and codes, such as ASME and API

Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality engineering packages under schedule constraints

Proficiency in mechanical design software such as AutoCAD

Preferred

Hands-on experience with solids-handling and conveyance equipment, including: Silos, bins, hoppers, chutes, and bulk storage systems | Feeders (vibratory, belt, screw, rotary, apron) | Conveyor systems (belt, screw, drag/chain, pneumatic, bucket elevators) | Screens, crushers, and material-transfer equipment

Experience with pyrometallurgical processes and equipment, such as rotary kilns, electric arc furnaces, converters, dryers, and flash kilns

Familiarity with industrial and process-industry environments, such as: Mining and mineral processing | Cement, aggregate, or bulk-materials handling | Chemical or industrial manufacturing facilities | Power generation or heavy industrial sectors

Experience with fluids, thermal, and Multiphysics CFD simulations

Why Work With Alkalinea

Weekly pay with full HR, payroll, and benefits support

Access to large-scale industrial projects with high technical standards

Direct support from a team that stays with you after placement

Alkalinea is focused on building teams for electric vehicle manufacturing, battery manufacturing, critical minerals, and data centers.