Facilities Mechanical Engineer - #006508

University of North Carolina at Asheville; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 98,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Asheville is seeking a Facilities Mechanical Engineer to join the Design and Construction Department. The role focuses on energy efficiency and high‑quality campus facilities through mechanical systems design and project oversight.

The candidate will lead and coordinate with architects, engineers, and contractors, drive cost estimates, and advance sustainable building practices on a range of capital projects from small to large scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• North Carolina professional engineer’s license required or reciprocity with NC license within 6 months.
• All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance to architects, engineers, construction firms and contractors to ensure campus facilities are efficient and well‑maintained.
• Ensure projects comply with campus facility standards and state regulations.
• Assist with negotiations and selection of consulting firms.
• Offer energy‑efficient, sustainable long‑term vision and strategic planning for mechanical systems.
• Provide design reviews for HVAC, piping, fire protection and plumbing.
• Oversee cost estimates for mechanical aspects of planned projects and manage a diverse project portfolio.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Technical skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

UNC Asheville Overview

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student‑centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and a welcoming campus community. In addition to award‑winning faculty, UNCA has also ranked high in Research.com, US News & World Report and the Princeton Review in 2025. Research.com – #8 in Best Colleges, #11 Most Affordable Colleges in NC, #16 Best Value Colleges in NC. US News & World Report – #9 in Top Public Schools. Princeton Reviews – #7 in Top 50 Guide to Green Schools.

Title

Facilities Mechanical Engineer - #006508

Position Type

EHRA Staff

Position Number

006508

Recruitment Range

$98,000-$108,000

Work Schedule and Hours

Typical hours are Monday‑Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Evening and weekend work may be needed to meet the needs of the department, division and university. This position is expected to work such hours as prove necessary to complete job requirements.

Full‑Time / Part‑Time

Full‑Time

Months per Year

12 Months

Position Summary

UNC Asheville is looking for a mechanical engineer to join the Design and Construction Department. UNC Asheville is committed to energy efficiency for which the design and operational aspects of our campus facilities contribute significantly.

• Provide oversight and guidance to architects, engineers, construction management firms and general contractors to ensure our commitment to efficient and well‑maintained campus facilities.
• Ensures projects incorporate campus facility standards and compliance with university and state construction office regulations and procedures.
• Assists with the negotiations and selection of consulting firms.
• Offers innovative, sustainable long‑term vision, direction, strategic planning, oversight and consultation for mechanical systems.
• Offers expertise on design, evaluation and problem resolution for the air conditioning and ventilation systems for the university, including ground source heat pump systems.
• Assists with the UNC Asheville Energy Conservation Program.
• Provides HVAC, piping, fire sprinkler and plumbing design reviews as needed.
• Responsible for preparing cost estimates on mechanical aspects of planned projects.
• Provides project management including design and construction of a diverse portfolio of major capital projects in addition to renovation and repair projects ranging from $1 k to $45 M.
• System administrator for the building automation system, that manages the integration of control and monitoring of lighting, renewable energy, and electrical power systems.
• Position serves as university energy manager.

FLSA

Exempt

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• The candidate should hold a North Carolina professional engineer’s license. Will also consider applicants with a license in another state with reciprocity and ability to obtain a North Carolina professional engineer’s license within 6 months from date of hire.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills

The preferred candidate will be able to demonstrate practical experience of 4–6 years of mechanical project engineering experience and 10–12 years of practical experience in the construction/design engineering business. The preferred candidate will also have a minimum of 5 years of experience with the operation and programming of a building automation system, with additional preference given to familiarity with Automated Logic Corporation controls. The preferred candidate will be a LEED AP. The preferred candidate will be a certified Energy Manager, CEM.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work with a wide variety of constituents
• Knowledge of best practices in construction/design
• Strong technical skills