Director of Mechanical Engineering

Job Summary

The Director of Mechanical Engineering is a full-time Administrative & Professional position responsible for the direction and coordination of lead all HVAC, central plant, geothermal, and utility operations, maintenance, and capital improvement programming supporting a campus of ~2.4 million square feet of buildings across over 400 acres. Reporting to the Senior Director of Facility Operations, the Director of Mechanical Engineering will ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and code-compliant mechanical and utilities systems while advancing sustainability, energy management, and long-term capital renewal goals.

This role also provides direct oversight for the recently commissioned campus geothermal system, delivered as a central element of the Sustainable Infrastructure Program (SIP), and will be responsible for integrating, operating, maintaining, and optimizing the geothermal system in coordination with Central Plant operations and campus decarbonization strategies that enabled the College to achieve carbon neutrality.

Responsibilities

The Director of Mechanical Engineering ensures that the planning, design, and construction of new buildings and modernization of the same meet established design standards, fit within the architectural design and tradition of the campus and that the planning of new facilities fits within the requirements of Oberlin's development plan. The Director of Mechanical Engineering will coordinate related project permitting and approvals with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) and local community and serve as the campus utility and Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) infrastructure facility asset manager (FAM).

Essential Job Functions

Lead, plan, direct, and evaluate all campus mechanical engineering, central plant, geothermal, and utility operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service on a 24/7/365 basis. Provide overall responsibility for boilers, chillers, geothermal/ground-source heat pump systems and well fields, pumps, cooling towers, steam and condensate, chilled water, domestic hot water, air handling systems, controls, and associated distribution networks.

Serve as the primary subject matter expert and technical authority for campus mechanical and utility systems, including planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and renewal of complex MEP infrastructure. Provide operational and technical oversight of the campus geothermal system implemented under the Sustainable Infrastructure Project (SIP), including commissioning and acceptance, preventive and corrective maintenance programs, system performance monitoring, fault detection and optimization, and integration with the central plant, distribution systems, and Building Automation System (BAS).

Manage and optimize Central Plant operations, including staffing and scheduling, boiler and chiller sequencing, load management, fuel and energy procurement strategies, and coordination with geothermal operations to maximize efficiency, reliability, and greenhouse gas reductions. Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators such as equipment availability, system reliability, energy use intensity, and maintenance effectiveness.

Guide planning, design, and construction of capital improvement and renewal projects for mechanical, geothermal, and utility systems, including HVAC upgrades, geothermal expansions, distribution replacements, plant upgrades, energy conservation measures, and renewable energy integration. Provide technical leadership in defining scopes, budgets, schedules, specifications, cost estimates, quality standards, and commissioning requirements. Review plans and specifications for technical adequacy prior to construction and ensure projects are delivered on scope, schedule, and budget.

Apply advanced mechanical engineering principles and practices to analyze, evaluate, and resolve complex issues related to facility design, construction, operation, maintenance, and repair. Conduct studies and practical research to develop criteria and solutions for field conditions, operational challenges, and system performance gaps. Monitor existing systems to verify operation within design criteria and develop and implement corrective and optimization strategies where deficiencies are identified.

Supervise, mentor, and develop a diverse team of mechanical technicians, HVAC and geothermal technicians, plant operators, and contractors. Provide guidance, technical advice, and consultation to staff and lower-grade specialists; set expectations; evaluate performance; and ensure appropriate staffing, training, and professional development.

Manage the selection, contracting, and oversight of consultants, architects, engineers, general contractors, construction managers, and service providers. Review and manage the quality, progress, and performance of external and in-house resources; draft and administer AIA and related contracts; and ensure compliance with contractual…