Utilities Distribution Engineer

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Wellness programs

Employee discounts with local and natl

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY seeks an Utilities Distribution Engineer to lead and support the steam, hot water, and chilled water distribution systems. You will apply hydraulic modeling and lifecycle cost analysis to inform operations and capital planning, including steam-to-hot water conversions.

Collaborate with operations, maintenance, project management, consultants, and campus stakeholders to renew and upgrade systems while ensuring safety and reliability 24/7/365.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in thermal distribution systems.
• Direct experience managing construction projects of any size.
• Ability to secure the New York State Professional Engineering license (after obtaining necessary experience).
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience in design, maintenance or operation of thermal distribution systems.
• Demonstrates the divisional values of truth, respect, teamwork, integrity and excellence.
• Ability to work in environments with high ambient temperature, noise and dust; safe with chemicals, steam, confined spaces; able to climb stairs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership and technical support for thermal utility distribution systems.
• Evaluate system condition and performance; develop renewal and upgrade strategies.
• Oversee design and construction activities; support repairs requiring engineering input.
• Apply hydraulic modeling and lifecycle cost evaluation for operational decisions.
• Support commissioning, documentation control, regulatory compliance, and emergency response.

Skills

Thermal distribution

Engineering design

Project management

Regulatory compliance

MS Office

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Related field or degree

Tools

DDC systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Utilities Distribution Engineer provides engineering leadership and technical support for the University’s steam, hot water, chilled water, and related thermal utility distribution systems. This position is responsible for system design, reliability engineering, asset management, and capital project leadership and support to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of utilities on a 24/7/365 basis.

Working closely with operations, maintenance, project management, consultants, and campus stakeholders, the Engineer evaluates system condition and performance, develops renewal and upgrade strategies, supports repairs and modifications requiring engineering input, and oversees design and construction activities. The role applies hydraulic modeling, system analysis, and lifecycle cost evaluation to inform operational decisions and long-term capital planning, including steam-to-hot water conversion initiatives.

This position also supports commissioning, documentation control, regulatory compliance, and emergency response.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

We require these qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, other related Engineering degree, or related field.

• 3-5 years of experience in technical roles related to thermal distribution systems or equivalent combination.

• Direct experience managing construction projects of any size.

• Ability to secure the New York State Professional Engineering license (after obtaining necessary experience).

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.

• Experience in design, maintenance or operation of thermal distribution systems.

• Is highly motivated and exhibits innovation, good judgement and reliability in the workplace.

• Demonstrates the divisional values of truth, respect, teamwork, integrity and excellence. This includes such behaviors as the demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, uses time effectively, sets priorities, and participates effectively on teams.

• Ability to work in an environment that includes high ambient temperature, noise and dust. Ability to safely work with chemicals, high temperature/pressure steam, confined spaces, and other potential hazards. Must be able to climb stairs, ladders and work with heights.

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license. Will be required to operate a motor vehicle (your own vehicle and Cornell owned) to travel to and from job sites.

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications

• Over 5 years of experience in roles related to thermal distribution systems.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• Understanding of building HVAC systems and Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems.

• Passed New York State EIT exam.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell’s impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

University Job Title

Engineer Architect I

Job Family

Facilities & Safety Services

Level

G

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$100,471.00 - $122,798.00

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

Job Titles and Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-21