Senior Chilled Water Systems Mechanical Engineer

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Senior Chilled Water Systems Mechanical Engineer to oversee campus-wide chilled water production, distribution, and maintenance. You will lead major capital projects, coordinate outages, and ensure reliable system performance and energy efficiency.

This role requires a strong background in thermal utilities, project management, and cross-functional collaboration with designers, contractors, and operations staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Six or more years of experience in thermal utility operations or district energy systems.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead chilled water capital projects, system upgrades, and outages with planning, coordination, commissioning, and operational integration.
• Monitor chillers and auxiliary equipment to evaluate efficiency and identify issues; develop engineering solutions.
• Collaborate with designers, consultants, and contractors to implement upgrades and ensures safe project execution.
• Provide technical direction to Chilled Water Systems staff and coordinate with control engineers for SCADA/DCS alignment.

Skills

Thermal engineering

Chilled water systems

Project management

Mechanical systems

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Senior Chilled Water Systems Mechanical Engineer

Department: ES CW-227310

Career Area: Engineering and Architecture

Posting Open Date: 11/10/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title: Senior Chilled Water Systems Mechanical Engineer

Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number: 20078669

Vacancy ID: NF0010176

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent

FTE: 1

Hours per week: 40

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Proposed Start Date: 01/04/2027

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.

Position Summary

A SIGN -ON BONUS OF $7,500 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALMENTS WITHIN TWELVE (12) MONTHS OF HIRE: $3,750 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & $3,750 12- MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

The Senior CWS (Chilled Water Systems) Mechanical Engineer is the subject matter expert for the University’s chilled water production and distribution infrastructure. This position provides engineering oversight and is responsible for the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of mechanical systems that support campus-wide chilled water service, including water- and air-cooled chillers, heat exchangers, pumps, cooling towers, distribution piping systems, controls, and related auxiliary equipment.

This position uses advanced knowledge of the complex processes associated with chilled water production and distribution systems and the operations and maintenance activities necessary to ensure reliable system performance.

The position monitors the operation of chillers and auxiliary equipment to evaluate efficiency, analyzes system performance and mechanical needs to identify and resolve complex operational and reliability issues, and develops engineering solutions to improve system performance. As the project manager and subject matter expert for chilled water capital projects, system upgrades, and planned utility outages, this position leads planning, coordination, commissioning, and operational integration efforts to ensure projects and outages are executed safely, effectively, and with minimal impact to campus operations. The position works closely with designers, consultants, and contractors to plan, implement, and oversee equipment additions, upgrades, replacements, and system improvements. The position also serves as a key technical leader during emergency response activities, directing engineering support for disaster recovery efforts and unplanned chilled water system outages.

This position provides technical direction to the Chilled Water Systems staff to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of chillers and associated auxiliary equipment. The position collaborates with shop supervisors to establish maintenance priorities, schedules, and equipment reliability improvement strategies. It collaborates with other Energy Services departments to support long-range utility planning and system development and coordinates with the Chilled Water Controls Engineer and control system programmers to ensure SCADA, DCS, and related control processes are designed and operated in accordance with engineering standards to maximize system reliability, availability, and performance.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in the engineering discipline related to the area of assignment and 6 years of related engineering experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• At least six (6) years of experience in thermal utility operations or district energy systems.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, approve, and manage large capital utility projects while maintaining budget and schedule requirements.
• Ability to analyze routine and non-routine mechanical and process systems engineering problems and develop technical recommendations and/or decisions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with management, peers, and plant personnel and to explain moderately complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• A valid North Carolina Driver’s License or ability to obtain one prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Post-bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program and/or a Professional Engineer’s (PE) license valid in the state of North Carolina.
• Extensive knowledge of hydraulics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.
• Working knowledge of electrical, civil, and structural engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of the design, operation, and maintenance of large-scale District energy systems that include multiple distributions facilities and complex operational network.
• Strong project management skills, including experience managing complex engineering projects.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Accuracy Required to Work: Provides instruction/training to ensure safety controls are calibrated to manufacturer specifications. Defective controls are replaced, calibrated, and tested. Attention to detail, and thorough documentation are essential to safe, reliable operation and maintaining efficiency across a large-scale utility distribution network.

Consequence Of Error

Errors in water treatment can cause scaling, corrosion, increased energy/chemical costs, equipment damage, and system failures. Improper TDS or chemical control can waste water/chemicals and damage cooling towers and heat exchangers. Failure to maintain efficiency and design specifications increases water production costs across the UNC campus customer base.

Instructions/Supervision

Works independently with guidance from the CWS Manager, applying technical expertise in chillers, controls, and distribution systems. Performance is evaluated through results, reports, and feedback.

References

Uses manufacturer specs, maintenance manuals, engineering plans, EPA / OSHA and CFC regulations, University policies, departmental procedures, purchasing/contracting rules, and industry standards.

Contacts

Works with contractors, vendors, construction/design teams, utilities, safety, facilities, HR, building occupants, and campuses/agencies.

Physical/Work Environment

Climbing ladders/stairs, confined-space work, hazardous material exposure, and lifting up to 50 lbs. Work occurs indoors, outdoors, and in plant environments with noise, dust, heat, humidity, cold, and changing weather.

Skills/Safety

Proficiency with computers, testing instruments, hand/shop tools, CAD , GIS , spreadsheets, and presentations. Requires strong troubleshooting, planning, prioritization, and decision-making skills. Responsible for staff safety, training, equipment monitoring, and shutdown decisions when necessary.

Emergency Duty

Must report during adverse weather, University emergencies, and communicable disease events.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

• ELIGIBILITY FOR SIGN -ON BONUS

Requirements

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 SHRA 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 SHRA Sign-on Policy can be found at https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy-1/open.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.