Mechanical Engineer Specialist

Illinois International; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Mechanical Engineer Specialist to provide plant engineering support for campus utility production and distribution systems. The role involves field inspections, safety, and collaboration with campus stakeholders to maintain reliable operations.

Responsibilities include reviewing plans for power plant systems, leading projects, and developing operating plans and models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Five years (60 months) of education, training and/or work experience in engineering in utility systems, district energy, CHP, power generation, and/or heavy industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with rotating equipment, steam systems, pressure vessels, piping, and/or mechanical reliability.
• Experience preparing engineering studies, calculations, specifications, and technical reports.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Illinois or ability to obtain).
• Experience with CHP plants, district energy, or institutional utility operations.
• Experience with Maximo or comparable CMMS, AutoCAD/BIM, vibration analysis, oil analysis, infrared thermography, and reliability engineering.
• Certifications such as CMRP or PMP are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical and some electrical engineering support for operation, maintenance, and planning of campus utility production plants and distribution systems.
• Perform field inspection and verification of systems by entering pressure vessels, entering ductwork, climbing ladders, climbing scaffolding and climbing stairs in unconditioned and dusty environments. Use PPE, and to enter and inspect confined spaces.
• Provide management and oversight on projects including: design of complex power plant systems, data reporting and collection systems, and utility production issues.
• Assist with the development of safe and efficient operating plans for power plant and other utility systems including system documentation and configuration control. Assist with the development of computer models, cost analysis, and engineering analysis. Provide troubleshooting support for power plant problems. Provide instruction to operators and others, on safe and efficient operation of power plant systems.
• Monitor compliance and regulatory safety requirements including Federal and State requirements for natural gas, EPA regulations for water, OSHA, and various industry and national codes for power plant systems (ASME BPVC, IEEE, NFPA, API).
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with University, campus, and departmental officials/staff to promote the success of established University and F&S objectives and goals. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Serve on University, campus, and departmental committees/teams as required. Provide training and development for others in the organization as required.
• Promote safe operations and support departmental safety initiatives and programs. Monitor personnel to assure safety and security policies are being followed.
• Able to accept occasional non-working hour call outs, for unscheduled power plant and utility outages or problems with systems. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Rotating equipment

Steam systems

Pressure vessels

Piping

Mechanical reliability

Engineering studies

Calculations

Technical reports

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Maximo

AutoCAD/BIM

Vibration analysis

Oil analysis

Infrared thermography

Reliability engineering

Job description

Mechanical Engineer Specialist

Utilities & Energry Services

Job Summary

The Power Plant Mechanical Engineer Specialist is responsible for providing plant engineering support for the operations of the utility production and distribution systems for the F&S - Utilities Division at Urbana-Champaign.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical and some electrical engineering support for operation, maintenance, and planning of campus utility production plants and distribution systems. Perform field inspection and verification of systems by entering pressure vessels, entering ductwork, climbing ladders, climbing scaffolding and climbing stairs in unconditioned and dusty environments. Use personnel protective equipment (PPE), and to enter and inspect confined spaces.
• Provide critical review of power plant, pressure vessel and piping aspects of new construction and major remodeling plans developed by architects and engineers for campus capital and facility renovation projects.
• Provide management and oversight on projects including: design of complex power plant systems, data reporting and collection systems, and utility production issues.
• Assist with the development of safe and efficient operating plans for power plant and other utility systems including system documentation and configuration control. Assist with the development of computer models, cost analysis, and engineering analysis. Provide troubleshooting support for power plant problems. Provide instruction to operators and others, on safe and efficient operation of power plant systems.
• Monitor compliance and regulatory safety requirements including Federal and State requirements for natural gas, EPA regulations for water, OSHA, and various industry and national codes for power plant systems (ASME BPVC, IEEE, NFPA, API).
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with University, campus, and departmental officials/staff to promote the success of established University and F&S objectives and goals. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Serve on University, campus, and departmental committees/teams as required. Provide training and development for others in the organization as required.
• Promote safe operations and support departmental safety initiatives and programs. Monitor personnel to assure safety and security policies are being followed.
• Able to accept occasional non-working hour call outs, for unscheduled power plant and utility outages or problems with systems. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Predominantly normal office work, walking and stair climbing. The position also requires visiting the Power Plant and Chiller plants, the use of appropriate PPE, and exposure to plant conditions. During outages be capable to be qualified to enter confined spaces in boilers, boiler ductwork, pressure vessel and scrubber vessels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A total of one (5) years (60 months) in education, training and/or work experience in engineering in utility systems, district energy, Combined Heat & Power (CHP), power generation, and/or heavy industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with rotating equipment, steam systems, pressure vessels, piping, and/or mechanical reliability.
• Experience preparing engineering studies, calculations, specifications, and technical reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Illinois or ability to obtain).
• Experience with combined heat and power plants, district energy systems, or institutional utility operations.
• Experience with Maximo or comparable CMMS, AutoCAD/BIM, vibration analysis, oil analysis, infrared thermography, and reliability engineering.
• Certifications such as CMRP or PMP are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of ASME BPVC, ASME B31.1, NBIC, OSHA, NFPA, EPA regulations.
• Aptitude in communication, collaboration, and project management.
• Working knowledge of ASME and National Boiler Board requirements.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis.

The expected start date is as soon as possible after 12/21/2026. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .