Utility Project Engineer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation, sick, and holiday pay

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance (no-cost)

Parental leave

Tuition assistance for employees and+

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a Utility Project Engineer at multiple levels to help manage district energy infrastructure upgrades, plant MEP systems, and contractual documentation. The role requires coordinating with internal staff, design firms, and contractors to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

Level I–III responsibilities grow with experience, including preparing design reviews, approving drawings, and leading long-range infrastructure planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
• Analytical acumen with data collection, intuition, and efficient workflows.
• Creative design skills to generate innovative solutions.
• Commitment to safety and learning safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in design reviews with internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate engineering design, reviews, and project execution within budget and schedule.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for equipment installations and upgrades.
• Collaborate with staff, contractors, and project managers to ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Creative design

Safety commitment

Time management

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

Hydraulic modeling

Data historians

Pipe stress modeling

Job description

Ranked as one of the Best Employers in Nebraska and certified as a Lincoln Family-Friendly workplace, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success and satisfaction. By joining our team, you will be given opportunities to grow as an individual and contribute to the significant impact that we make within the University of Nebraska community and Nebraska’s economy each year.

We invest in our employees:

• Vacation, sick, and holiday pay.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• No-cost life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Parental leave.
• Tuition assistance for employees and dependents.
• Exclusive employee discounts.
• Professional development through training and education.
• And many more!!

Husker Energy & Power has three levels of Utility Project Engineers, and the level is determined by a candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and applicable licensure.

Utility Project Engineer Level I:

• Assist with providing technical support and review for new installations and upgrades of district energy infrastructure, including production and distribution systems for steam, chilled water, and medium voltage electricity.
• Provide continuous communication to internal staff, suppliers, contractors, university project managers, and design firms to ensure projects are executed on time and within budget.
• Assist with the preparation and facilitation of design reviews with internal stakeholders.
• Review and comment on drawings and submittals from design firms and contractors.
• Collaborate with contractors, design professionals, and internal staff to schedule and manage project execution.
• Develop knowledge of plant MEP systems and applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in developing and reviewing technical specifications, standards drawings, and contracts for engineering services and construction projects.
• Assist with the design and management of small to medium-scale infrastructure upgrade projects, collaborating with internal stakeholders to define the appropriate scope for repairs and upgrades.
• Manage project documentation, including operating and maintenance procedures for new equipment and updating existing technical documentation to reflect infrastructure modifications.

Utility Project Engineer Level II:

In addition to the Level I requirements, the Level II engineer will:

• Provide technical support and review for new installations and upgrades of district energy infrastructure, including production and distribution systems for steam, chilled water, and medium voltage electricity.
• Prepare and facilitate design reviews with internal stakeholders.
• Review and approve drawings and submittals from design firms and contractors.
• Assist with the development of departmental standards, processes, and tools for the design and review of new equipment, replacements, repairs, and upgrades.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and review technical specifications, standards drawings, and contracts for engineering services and construction projects.
• Design and manage small to medium-scale infrastructure upgrade projects, collaborating with internal stakeholders to define the appropriate scope for repairs and upgrades.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop operating and maintenance procedures for new equipment and update existing technical documentation to reflect infrastructure modifications.

Utility Project Engineer Senior:

In addition to the Level I and Level II requirements, the Senior Engineer will:

• Provide continuous communication to internal staff, suppliers, contractors, university project managers, and design firms to ensure projects are executed on time and within budget.
• Lead the preparation, execution, and continuous improvement of design reviews with internal stakeholders.
• Develop departmental standards, processes, and tools for the design and review of equipment installations, replacements, repairs, and upgrades.
• Lead the development and review of technical specifications, standards drawings, and contracts for engineering services and construction projects.
• Evaluate small to medium-sized infrastructure improvement initiatives within the department to verify compliance with relevant codes and the application of proper engineering design methodologies.
• Develop and maintain processes for continual review of department technical documentation to confirm accuracy.
• Support leadership and contribute to long-range infrastructure planning efforts and the development and implementation of departmental vision and goals.
• Train, mentor, and verify work of others.

What you bring to the position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering or other related field of study or equivalent education/experience.
• Analytical acumen with the ability to collect data, apply intuition, and design efficient workflows.
• Creative design skills with the ability to apply design principles to generate innovative solutions.
• Commitment to safety and willingness to learn about safe work practices before putting them into action.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong time management skills, ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Team oriented with effective communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Familiar with change management including development, communicating implementation plans, and managing transitions.
• Familiar with developing strategies for cost reduction.
• Innovative with the ability to present new ideas and information.
• Strong reasoning skills, able to define problems, collect and analyze data, and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Knowledge of business practices to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from diverse audiences.
• Valid driver’s license and eligible to drive on University business.

Additional qualifications that support success in this position (not required):

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering or other related field of study.
• Engineering experience with progressive responsibility in the design of industrial mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing systems.
• Experience training, mentoring, and/or providing functional supervision.
• Experience within a university facilities setting and/or in the design, construction, and/or operation of thermal and electrical production and distribution systems.
• Knowledgeable of plant MEP systems and applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with relevant engineering software and tools for design, analysis, and project management including Computer-Aided Design (CAD), hydraulic modeling, data historians, pipe stress modeling, and/or others.
• Knowledge of sustainable design practices.
• Knowledge of construction processes, materials, and methods related to utility infrastructure projects.

This position is full-time and is classified as exempt.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination

Criminal history background check, driving record review, and pre-placement physical are required.