Utility Performance Engineer 1 or 2 or 3

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Tuition assistance

LinkedIn Learning access

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plan with employer matching

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin’s Utilities and Energy Management department seeks a Utility Performance Engineer I-III in Austin, TX. The role applies data analytics, performance modeling, and commissioning to improve energy and water performance across campus utilities and building systems.

You will collaborate with campus teams, perform system assessments, and support the development of energy and water improvement projects to enhance reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze technical information and develop recommendations.
• Ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate building and utility system performance through data analysis and commissioning.
• Translate analytics into actionable recommendations for operations and projects.
• Lead or support performance optimization, commissioning, and verification activities.
• Identify and support energy and water performance improvement projects.
• Provide technical input on design, standards, and operation of campus systems.
• Collaborate with Utilities, Facilities and campus partners on performance objectives.
• Support benchmarking, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends and contribute to program development.

Skills

Strong written and verbal skills

Ability to analyze technical data

Stakeholder communication

Experience with building systems or/in

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Utility Performance Engineer 1 or 2 or 3

Hiring Department:

Utilities and Energy Management

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

General Notes

Who We Are

We are “the power behind UT”.

Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) provides reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services for The University of Texas at Austin. We have more than 170 employees in five divisions: Utilities Operations; Utilities Distribution; Controls and Operating Technology; Finance: Technical Programs and Services; Sustainability: and Engineering and Performance Management.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking candidates who share the following core values:

Safety : Commitment to the well-being of our fellow employees, ourselves, and the campus community.

Respect : Treating everyone with fairness and dignity.

Integrity : Transparency, honesty, trust and ethics in our work and our relationships.

Reliability : Delivery of consistent, dependable, and uninterrupted services.

Teamwork : Working together through cooperation, contribution, and the sharing of our knowledge.

Excellence : Setting the highest standards through innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking, and stewardship.

As a member of our team, you will be part of a globally recognized district energy system that serves a top-tier research university. We strive to provide a positive workplace culture that welcomes ideas, talent and perspectives – and we look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about Utilities and Energy Management.

Your skills will make a difference.

You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of Campus Operations staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has earning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employee without sponsorship.

Purpose

Support campus energy and water performance outcomes by providing engineering analysis, performance modeling, commissioning expertise, and technical recommendations for building and/or utility systems. This role evaluates demand- and/or supply-side utility performance, translates analytics into actionable operational and project recommendations, and collaborates with Utilities, Facilities, and campus teams to improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance of campus energy and water systems.

Responsibilities

• System Performance Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluate the performance of building systems, utility systems, and associated equipment through data analysis, trend evaluation, commissioning activities, field observations, and performance modeling. Identify operational inefficiencies, performance gaps, anomalies, and opportunities to improve energy and water performance.
• Analytics Translation and Technical Recommendations: Apply analytics outputs, operational data, and performance trends to support engineering evaluation and decision-making. Translate technical findings into actionable recommendations that inform operating strategies, optimization efforts, project development, and utility management priorities.
• System Optimization and Commissioning: Support and lead performance optimization initiatives through existing building commissioning (EBCx), system assessments, operational reviews, control strategy evaluations, and verification of system performance. Assess building and utility system operation to ensure intended energy and water performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Project Development and Performance Improvement Support: Identify, evaluate, and support development of energy and water performance improvement projects. Assess technical feasibility, lifecycle performance, expected savings, operational impacts, and implementation considerations to inform project prioritization and development.
• Design Review, Standards, and Technical Guidance: Provide technical review and input on design, construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects to ensure alignment with energy and water performance objectives. Contribute to development and refinement of performance-based design criteria, engineering standards, operational guidelines, and sequences of operation.
• Cross-Functional Coordination and Operational Support: Collaborate with Utilities, Facilities and external partners to align technical solutions with performance objectives. Support troubleshooting, operational planning, and implementation follow-up through engineering analysis and performance evaluation.
• Performance Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: Support benchmarking, performance monitoring, measurement and verification activities, and reporting efforts. Assist with development of performance indicators, operational procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance energy and water performance.
• Industry Best Practices and Program Development: Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices related to building performance, utility systems, commissioning, and performance management. Contribute to development and refinement of utility performance management strategies, programs, and technical approaches.
• Performs other related functions as assigned. Attends staff meetings, safety training or meetings. Attends plant operation and maintenance training courses. Required to carry University cell phone during work hours. Adheres to Utilities and University policies and procedures. Drive university vehicle or cart. Maintain acceptable driver rating as established in Policy: UTS157 Section 2.5.4.

Required Qualifications

Engineer I:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 0 to 4 years of experience in one or more of the following: Building systems engineering, Energy management, Commissioning, Central utility plant operations, District energy systems, Building automation systems, Utility engineering, Facilities engineering, Performance optimization.
• Basic knowledge of HVAC, chilled water, steam, heating, cooling, electrical, water, or related building and utility infrastructure systems.
• Ability to analyze technical information and develop recommendations to improve system performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Engineer II:

• All qualifications listed under Engineer I, plus:
• 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating the performance of building and/or utility systems through engineering analysis, operational data, commissioning activities, troubleshooting, or performance monitoring.
• Experience identifying and developing recommendations for operational improvements, optimization opportunities, or capital improvement projects.
• Experience performing technical reviews, performance assessments, or commissioning-related activities.
• Ability to independently manage projects, analyses, and technical assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical findings and recommendations to operational and management audiences.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Engineer III:

• All qualifications listed under Engineer II, plus:
• 8 or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Advanced experience evaluating and optimizing complex building systems, utility systems, or campus infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant performance improvement initiatives, commissioning efforts, engineering studies, optimization projects, or performance management programs.
• Experience developing technical standards, operational guidelines, design criteria, or engineering best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers, analysts, and operations personnel.
• Experience influencing operational strategy, project prioritization, and long-term performance improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex assignments while balancing operational, technical, and organizational priorities.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineer-In-Training (EIT), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP), Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP), Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP), or similar credential.
• Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Experience with Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx), retro-commissioning, or ongoing commissioning programs.
• Experience with central utility plants, district energy systems, chilled water systems, steam systems, power generation systems, water systems, or campus utility infrastructure.
• Experience with building automation systems, controls optimization, HVAC sequences of operation, or operational analytics.
• Experience with measurement and verification, energy modeling, performance modeling, benchmarking, or utility system optimization.
• Experience reviewing construction documents, technical standards, design submittals, or engineering specifications.
• Experience supporting sustainability, decarbonization, energy conservation, or water conservation initiatives.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, research, government, or other large institutional environments.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, commissioning practices, energy codes, utility operations, and resource management best practices.

Driving Required

This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary Range

Engineer I: $90,000+ depending on qualifications

Engineer II: $105,000+ depending on qualifications

Engineer III: $115,000+ depending on qualifications

Environmental Demands:

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment.
• May work in all weather conditions.
• May work in extreme temperatures.
• May work around chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• May work around chemicals.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards.

Physical Tasks:

• Use of a keyboard and personal computer
• Fine manual dexterity
• May be required to perform elevated work.
• Occasional work from ladders and/or scaffolds.
• May be required to lift up to 50lbs.
• Often required to twist, grasp, push, pull and bend.

Additional Working Conditions:

• May be required to work in confined spaces, manholes, tunnels, elevated work, extended shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be exposed to loud noise, high dust and allergen levels.
• Drive University vehicles.
• Maintain acceptable driver rating as established in Policy: UTS157 Section 2.5.4.
• Participate in on-call program.

Work Shift

40 Hour Work Week Schedule; Monday – Friday, 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

This role does not provide sponsorship.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee, log-in