Mechanical Engineer Specialist

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

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a Civil Service Program Coordinator for Utilities & Energy Services. The role supports operation, maintenance, and planning of campus utility plants and distribution systems, including field inspections and compliance with safety and regulatory codes.

The position requires a Mechanical Engineering degree with several years in utility systems, experience with rotating equipment and steam/piping, and familiarity with CMMS tools like Maximo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering; minimum 5 years in utility systems or CHP facilities.
• Experience with rotating equipment, steam systems, piping, and mechanical reliability.
• Experience preparing engineering studies, calculations, specifications, and technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical and some electrical engineering support for operation, maintenance, and planning of campus utility plants and distribution systems.
• Review power plant, pressure vessel and piping aspects of new construction and major remodeling plans.
• Provide management and oversight on projects including design of complex power plant systems and data reporting.
• Assist with developing operating plans for power plant systems, computer models, cost analyses, and engineering analyses; provide troubleshooting support.
• Monitor compliance with Federal and State requirements for natural gas, EPA regulations for water, OSHA, and industry codes (ASME BPVC, IEEE, NFPA, API).
• Promote safe operations, develop working relationships with university officials, and participate in safety programs.

Skills

Rotating equipment

Steam systems

Piping

Mechanical reliability

Communication & project mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Maximo/CMMS

AutoCAD/BIM

Vibration analysis

Oil analysis

Infrared thermography

Reliability engineering

Job description

Utilities & Energry Services

• 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.

Job Summary

• 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.

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.