Utility Project Engineer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a Utility Project Engineer at multiple levels to support district energy infrastructure projects, including steam, chilled water, and medium voltage systems. You will coordinate with internal staff, design firms, suppliers, and university project managers to ensure timely, on-budget project execution.

Responsibilities span technical review, design development, and documentation, with escalating duties across Level I, II, and Senior roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience in engineering.
• Analytical acumen and ability to design efficient workflows.
• Commitment to safety and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for new installations and upgrades of district energy infrastructure (steam, chilled water, MV electricity).
• Lead design reviews and collaborate with internal stakeholders and design firms.
• Develop and review technical specifications, standards, drawings, and contracts for engineering services and construction projects.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

Working Title

Utility Project Engineer

Department

UO Husker Energy & Power-12300

Description Of Work

Ranked as one of the Best Employers in Nebraska, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success and satisfaction. We invest in our staff by offering fantastic benefits like vacation, sick, and holiday pay, a variety of insurance options, retirement plans, and numerous others. 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. 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

• 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

• 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 other staff, students, temp, and/or on-call personnel.

Equal Opportunity / Diversity Statement

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

Minimum Required Qualifications

Utility Project Engineer Level I, Level II, and Senior

• 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.

Utility Project Engineer Level II

• 3+ years of engineering experience with progressive responsibility and the design of industrial mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing systems.
• Knowledgeable of plant MEP systems and applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in delegating work assignments, setting expectations, and monitoring delegated activities.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking to develop effective strategies to meet organizational goals, assess external threats and opportunities, and adjust plans to adapt to changing conditions.
• Proactive risk identification and management skills to avoid delays and cost overruns.
• Proficient with change management including development, communicating implementation plans, and managing transitions.
• Proficient with developing strategies for cost reduction.
• Received a pass rate or higher on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

Utility Project Engineer Senior

• 6+ years of engineering experience with progressive responsibility and the design of industrial mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing systems.
• 3+ years’ experience training, mentoring, and/or providing functional supervision.
• 3+ years’ experience conducting design reviews for diverse audiences.
• Proven people management skills, including involving staff in planning, decision-making, process improvement, and facilitation.
• Strong business acumen with a thorough understanding of the market and competition, and a demonstrated ability to align work with the organization’s strategic goals.
• Advanced skills in change management including development, communicating implementation plans, and managing transitions.
• Advanced skills developing strategies for cost reduction.
• Advanced skills in business practices to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Nebraska Professional Engineer license and/or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Utility Project Engineer Level I, Level II, and Senior preferred qualifications are:

• Experience within a university facilities setting.
• Experience in the design, construction, and/or operation of thermal and electrical production and distribution systems (e.g., boilers, chillers, underground piping systems, substations, underground electrical distribution systems, and/or industrial facilities).
• 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.

Utility Project Engineer Level II

• Familiarity with project management processes.
• Commitment to enhancing knowledge of technical skills, industry trends, and best practices in utility engineering and construction.
• Effective presentation skills for conveying project updates, proposals, and findings to diverse audiences.
• Project Management Professional ( PMP )
• Certified Energy Manager ( CEM )
• Certified Industrial Energy Professional ( CIEP )

Utility Project Engineer Senior Level

• Proficiency with relevant engineering software and tools for design, analysis, and project management including Computer-Aided Design ( CAD ), hydraulic modeling, operational data historians, pipe stress modeling, and/or others.
• Familiarity with regional energy markets, trends, and regulations to anticipate risk and enhance strategic decision-making.
• Knowledge of contract administration principles, including negotiation, drafting, and management.
• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering or other related field of study.

Posted Salary

Salary commensurate upon experience