Power Plant Mechanical Engineer – CHP & Utilities

Laseagrant; 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

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.