Engineer 2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an Engineer 2 to lead commissioning activities within the Energy Management unit on capital projects. You will define scopes, select commissioning agents, negotiate contracts and oversee work across campus buildings, including complex lab facilities and BSL-3 spaces.

You will drive retro-commissioning for smaller projects, develop control sequences, perform testing, and train staff while coordinating with UNC Facilities, end users, and project

Qualifications

• Ability to troubleshoot and optimize complex mechanical systems for efficiency and maintainability.
• Knowledge of control system sequence of operations and ability to read and comply with university standards for mechanical and control systems.
• Experience with commissioning and retro commissioning of HVAC and building systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop commissioning scope of work for capital building projects and qualifications-based selection of 3rd party commissioning agents.
• Coordinate testing, system training and ongoing commissioning activities with project teams, Facilities and end users.
• Provide technical support for EMCS systems and energy management, including BAS testing and wiring drawings.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Control systems

HVAC knowledge

Reading plans/drawings

NC building codes

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Invensys

Johnson Controls

Vista

MS Excel

Job description

Department

EM-Commissioning-247101

Career Area

Engineering and Architecture

Posting Open Date

10/09/2026

Application Deadline

10/22/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Position Type

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title

Engineer 2

Appointment Type

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number

00055923

Vacancy ID

NF0010108

Full Time/Part Time

Full-Time Permanent

FTE

1

Hours per week

40

Position Location

North Carolina, US

Proposed Start Date

11/23/2026

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world‑class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Engineering Services Department (ES) within Facilities Services provides engineering services to the UNC Chapel Hill campus, a highly complex campus with a large number and variety of buildings and structures. ES provides engineering expertise for all engineering facets for the campus. ES is responsible for project development for all University Engineering led projects including repair, renovation and new construction; management of capital budgets and administration of design contracts associated with these projects. In addition, ES is responsible for development of high functioning campus engineering design standards, design of engineered systems, inspection of all projects implemented within campus buildings, engineering support of Building Services personnel, leads energy management and water conservation efforts, and building commissioning services.

Position Summary

A SIGN-ON BONUS OF $7,500 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE:
$3,750 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & $3,750 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.
The Engineer-2 position has a comprehensive commissioning and energy management role in the UNC’s Energy Management unit. This position is responsible for multiple facets of commissioning work on capital building projects, including development of commissioning scope of work, qualification-based selection of the 3rd party commissioning agents, contract negotiation, and oversight of the work. Related tasks on capital building projects include review of plans from designers, equipment submittals, assisting with development of basis of design documents, coordination of functional testing and system training, along with general coordination between project team, UNC Facilities, and end users. The position will provide direct commissioning services and retro commissioning services for smaller capital building projects (customer funded or otherwise) to include control schematic development, BAS functional testing, troubleshooting, and training. Position will interface with complex mechanical and control systems supporting research lab space, including high-containment (BSL-3) labs and lab animal vivaria. This position will be involved with implementation and management of a continuous commissioning program for various building automation systems across the campus. Tasks include creation of appropriate rules, identification of control points, integration of control points with the software, and review of effectiveness of the program.
As part of energy management unit, this position is responsible to identify and analyze new energy and water conservation projects (scoping and life cycle cost analysis), building audits and drawing reviews to develop the energy conservation projects with fundable cost estimations and savings calculations. Familiarity with building energy modeling software like Trane Trace and Bin data calculations is a plus. This position will partner with engineering services and other units within UNC facilities department during implementation of energy conversation measures, new strategies for optimizing HVAC systems to improve operational efficiencies while considering O&M concerns and ensuring projects are completed under budget and on schedule. Tracking issues encountered during each project in an Issues Log to ensure discrepancies are addressed properly and timely and project share lessons learnt with the team to improve internal processes. This position will also provide technical support for building control technicians and EMCS system operators and will provide support on technical, process and other aspects related to energy management unit ’s responsibilities, as needed by the supervisor.
This position is neither remote nor hybrid. Position is located in Chapel Hill, NC and will require the incumbent to be present at the office and work on the UNC campus buildings during the work week.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in the engineering discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience Some positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Ability to troubleshoot and optimize complex mechanical systems for efficiency and maintainability. Knowledge of control system sequence of operations and able to read, understand and comply with the university’s standards for mechanical and control systems. Knowledge of efficiency strategies for HVAC control systems such as discharge air reset, air side economizer, discharge static pressure reset, and heat recovery systems. Demonstrated experience programming HVAC control systems and experience with commissioning and retro commissioning of HVAC and building systems. Ability to read and comprehend complex mechanical, electrical and architectural plans and specifications. Working knowledge of current NC building codes. In-depth knowledge of commercial, institutional and laboratory heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing complex technical concepts to trades staff, engineers, and management. A valid NC driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Progressive experience with energy conservation methods for electrical and mechanical systems including lighting, HVAC, chilled waters systems, compressed air systems, building envelopes, and building pneumatic and digital building control systems. Advanced knowledge of building automation systems specifically Invensys, Johnson Controls, and Vista. Strong knowledge of maintenance requirements for HVAC systems. Cost estimating for design and construction projects. Adept at MS Work, MS Excel. Ability to participate in the development of long-range strategic goals. Knowledge of Continuous Commissioning.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

ELIGIBILITY FOR SIGN-ON BONUS
The selected candidate for this position may be eligible for a sign-on bonus. Qualified applicants must apply and be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements:
To be eligible for a Sign-on bonus, an individual must not have worked in a probationary, permanent, or time-limited appointment in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including but not limited to the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system in a position subject to the State Human Resources Act.
A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part-time (more than 20 hours a week) employee are eligible for a sign-on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working more than 20 hours and less than 40 hours per week).
This Sign-on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. All recipients must sign the Pay Back Agreement form. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy.