Mechanical Engineer Specialist

The Power Plant Mechanical Engineer Specialist is responsible for providing plant engineering support for the operations of the utility production and distribution systems for the F&S - Utilities Division at Urbana-Champaign.

• Provide mechanical and some electrical engineering support for operation, maintenance, and planning of campus utility production plants and distribution systems. Perform field inspection and verification of systems by entering pressure vessels, entering ductwork, climbing ladders, climbing scaffolding and climbing stairs in unconditioned and dusty environments. Use personnel protective equipment (PPE), and to enter and inspect confined spaces.
• Provide critical review of power plant, pressure vessel and piping aspects of new construction and major remodeling plans developed by architects and engineers for campus capital and facility renovation projects.
• Provide management and oversight on projects including: design of complex power plant systems, data reporting and collection systems, and utility production issues.
• Assist with the development of safe and efficient operating plans for power plant and other utility systems including system documentation and configuration control. Assist with the development of computer models, cost analysis, and engineering analysis. Provide troubleshooting support for power plant problems. Provide instruction to operators and others, on safe and efficient operation of power plant systems.
• Monitor compliance and regulatory safety requirements including Federal and State requirements for natural gas, EPA regulations for water, OSHA, and various industry and national codes for power plant systems (ASME BPVC, IEEE, NFPA, API).
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with University, campus, and departmental officials/staff to promote the success of established University and F&S objectives and goals. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Serve on University, campus, and departmental committees/teams as required. Provide training and development for others in the organization as required.
• Promote safe operations and support departmental safety initiatives and programs. Monitor personnel to assure safety and security policies are being followed.
• Able to accept occasional non-working hour call outs, for unscheduled power plant and utility outages or problems with systems. Willingness to fill in for others in the organization when needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Predominantly normal office work, walking and stair climbing. The position also requires visiting the Power Plant and Chiller plants, the use of appropriate PPE, and exposure to plant conditions. During outages be capable to be qualified to enter confined spaces in boilers, boiler ductwork, pressure vessel and scrubber vessels.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A total of one (5) years (60 months) in education, training and/or work experience in engineering in utility systems, district energy, Combined Heat & Power (CHP), power generation, and/or heavy industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with rotating equipment, steam systems, pressure vessels, piping, and/or mechanical reliability.
• Experience preparing engineering studies, calculations, specifications, and technical reports.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Illinois or ability to obtain).
• Experience with combined heat and power plants, district energy systems, or institutional utility operations.
• Experience with Maximo or comparable CMMS, AutoCAD/BIM, vibration analysis, oil analysis, infrared thermography, and reliability engineering.
• Certifications such as CMRP or PMP are desirable.

• Knowledge of ASME BPVC, ASME B31.1, NBIC, OSHA, NFPA, EPA regulations.
• Aptitude in communication, collaboration, and project management.
• Working knowledge of ASME and National Boiler Board requirements.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis.

The expected start date is as soon as possible after 12/21/2026. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

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