Senior Project Manager — Mechanical Engineering

APPA; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri’s Planning, Design & Construction department seeks a Senior Project Manager for mechanical engineering to lead scope and design decisions for campus projects. You will direct consultants and engineers, and serve as the owner's mechanical engineering authority on projects.

This design-focused role emphasizes design reviews, standards development, and coordination with operations staff, with no field supervision required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• PE license in Missouri or eligibility by reciprocity is preferred.
• Experience coordinating mechanical systems with architects and other disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering design from scope through design phases and consultants.
• Evaluate design options for performance, maintainability, energy efficiency, and life-cycle cost.
• Develop and maintain university mechanical design standards with operations and energy staff.
• Support construction administration on submittals, RFIs, and design changes.
• Define scope, schedule, and budget for contracted or in-house design teams.
• Coordinate with campus departments, users, and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Design reviews

Coordination

Project management

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Professional Engineer (PE) license in Missouri or reciprocity

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

e-Builder

Job description

The Role

Mizzou is looking for a mechanical engineer who has spent years designing buildings and wants to be the one deciding what gets built. As Senior Project Manager for mechanical engineering, you will lead projects from scope through design on behalf of the University, direct the architects and engineers we hire, and serve as the owner's mechanical engineering authority on those projects.

This is a design-side role. You will spend your time on scope, design reviews, and consultant direction, not on construction field supervision. Engineers coming from consulting practice are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why this role

• Be the owner, not the vendor. You set the requirements and approve the design. The consultants work for you.
• Work on systems at real scale. A campus with its own district energy system (steam, chilled water, and combined heat and power), an academic medical center, and research laboratories.
• Shape the standards. You will help write and maintain the University's mechanical design standards, working with the operations and energy management staff who run these systems every day.
• No billable hours. No utilization targets or fee pressure. Your time goes to getting the design right.
• Predictable schedule and strong benefits. Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with University retirement, health, and tuition benefits [HR to insert standard benefits summary].
• Columbia, Missouri. A college town between Kansas City and St. Louis.

What you will do

Mechanical engineering leadership

• Evaluate design alternatives for system performance, maintainability, energy efficiency, and life-cycle cost.
• Review mechanical drawings and specifications at each design phase; identify coordination gaps, constructability concerns, and departures from University standards.
• Develop and maintain University mechanical design standards in coordination with Campus Facilities operations and energy management staff.
• Support construction administration on technical submittals, requests for information (RFIs), and design-related changes.

Project management

• Define scope, schedule, and budget for projects designed by contracted or in-house architects, engineers, and interior designers.
• Select, contract, and direct design consultants: evaluate proposals, develop scopes and fee agreements, and confirm contract requirements are met.
• Track cost and schedule through design and direct corrective action when projects drift.
• Lead the bidding process and prepare project materials for Board of Curators actions.
• Coordinate with campus departments, users, and community partners.

Staff and resource management

• Plan and assign work for design staff, review work quality, and monitor progress against schedule.
• Manage departmental staff time, forecast related costs, and support monthly invoicing.

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of the University of Missouri.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary. Licensure or certification may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of professional mechanical design experience on commercial, institutional, or industrial building systems, including drawings and specifications through schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
• Experience coordinating mechanical systems with architects and other engineering disciplines.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes, mechanical design standards, and construction administration practice.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Missouri, or eligibility by reciprocity
• Experience at an architecture/engineering consulting firm providing mechanical design.
• Design experience with complex heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), hydronic, central plant, chilled water, steam, or district energy systems.
• Experience with higher education, healthcare, research, or other complex institutional facilities.
• Experience developing design scopes, schedules, cost estimates, and professional services fee proposals.
• Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam; familiarity with a project management platform such as e-Builder.
• Must possess a valid driver's license, which will allow legal operation of a motor vehicle in the State of Missouri.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Effectively communicate with people at all levels

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of the University of Missouri.

Starting Salary/Rate

$115,000 - $135,000 annually

Total Compensation and Benefits

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

About Planning, Design & Construction

PD&C manages design and construction for new buildings, renovations, repairs, and infrastructure across the University of Missouri campus. The unit provides planning, architecture, interior design, engineering, space planning, project management, and construction services.

PD&C manages design and construction for new buildings, renovations, repairs, and infrastructure across the University of Missouri campus. The unit provides planning, architecture, interior design, engineering, space planning, project management, and construction services.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.