Utility Project Engineer

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation pay

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance for employees and ■

Employee discounts

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln invites applications for a Utility Project Engineer level I–Senior. This role supports design, installation, and upgrades of campus utility infrastructure, including steam, chilled water, and electrical distribution.

You will collaborate with internal teams, design firms, and contractors to ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and budget. Ideal candidates hold a relevant engineering degree and demonstrate strong analytical, communication, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Management, or Geotechnical Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with design, evaluation, and upgrade of utility infrastructure is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with design, installation reviews, and upgrades of district energy systems (steam, chilled water, and medium voltage).
• Review drawings and submittals from design firms and contractors for compliance and quality.
• Lead and support design reviews, project scopes, and budget alignment with stakeholders.
• Develop engineering standards, specifications, drawings, and contracts for services and upgrades.
• Collaborate across departments to plan, schedule, and manage infrastructure projects.
• Prepare technical documentation for operating procedures and maintenance of new equipment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Creative design

Safety mindset

Time management

Teamwork

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

CAD software

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-costlifeinsurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Parental leave.
• Retirement plans.
• Tuitionassistancefor employees and dependents.
• Exclusive employee discounts.
• Professional development through training and education.
• And manymore!!

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 plantMEPsystems 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, anddecision-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 conducting design reviews for diverse audiences.

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 plantMEPsystems 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.