Senior Mechanical Engineer

13-Dec-2024

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Campus Services

67618BR

Job Summary

Energy & Facilities (E&F) operates and manages Harvard’s energy supplies, district energy plants, and utility infrastructures on the Cambridge/Allston campuses, as well as a 24/7 facilities-related call, alarm monitoring, and dispatch center. E&F also provides a broad portfolio of labor-based services, including building maintenance, landscaping, and custodial, to a large portion of the University, as well as engineering, technical, and sustainability services. Within E&F, Engineering & Utilities (E&U) operates and manages energy supplies, district energy plants, and utility infrastructures on the Cambridge/Allston campuses, a 24/7 facilities-related call, alarm monitoring, and dispatch center, and provides technical services.

This position provides mechanical engineering at a senior level for the planning, design, and technical support of operation, maintenance, and upgrades of the University’s utility infrastructure which includes electric, steam, hot water and chilled water as well as energy/building management and utility metering systems. This position shall also perform special short and long-range projects as directed.
 

Position Description

• Partners with E&F Leadership to develop, refine, and maintain the campus utility systems. Coordinate with the plans and needs of the University’s Schools and Units. Oversee the installation and relocation of underground utility infrastructure with minimum impact to the University’s community and its activities. Assume complete engineering responsibility for utility plant and distribution systems to ensure system capability, flexibility, reliability, safety, economic operation, and consideration for expansion. Formulate and balance long and short-range plans and budgets with respect to utility plant and distribution upgrades. Develop plant and distribution system statistics, records, and drawings, and assist in the documentation of utility infrastructure for record purposes.
   
• Maintain communications and relationships with governmental agencies/departments to ensure that the University’s interests are served in a safe, reliable, economical, and least disruptive manner. Stay current with pertinent government standards relative to employee environmental, health, and safety. Maintain knowledge of federal, state, municipal, industry, and University codes, regulations, practices, trends, and/or guidelines as well as stay current with the latest information on mechanical design and equipment.
   
• Engages and collaborates with E&F staff and partner groups to understand systems, data, and reporting that can be leveraged for use in E&F’s KPI monitoring and operational analysis/reporting.
   
• As stewards of university energy and utility systems, provide technical assistance to Campus Services operating and maintenance personnel and technical support for the operation and maintenance of central energy/utility production/distribution systems and building systems as necessary. Evaluate and provide recommendations for preventive maintenance, inspection, and testing programs for the University’s energy distribution systems, the central chilled water and steam plants, and other mechanical systems and equipment. Identify and develop cost control opportunities and system cost planning.  
   
•  Act as the University's central engineering representative by providing unbiased information to University Schools and Units based upon recognized engineering principles and sound professional judgment.  Demonstrates, promotes, and is guided by the mission, vision, and values of the organization; advancing the University’s mission of teaching and research by partnering to provide stewardship, strategies, and services that create exceptional community experiences.  Always acts in the University’s best interest.
   
• Interface with local utility suppliers. Assist in the University’s utility metering, accounting, and billing activities. Perform utility rate analyses and evaluate impacts upon the University. Evaluate and recommend appropriate action to provide alternative utility sources to or within the University whenever economically feasible or otherwise justified. Evaluate energy management system operations for improvement and enhancement possibilities for control and monitoring of the campus plant, utility distribution, and building distribution systems.
   
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently.  Must be flexible, self-motivated, possess excellent organizational and presentation skills; be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment with ability to adapt; and be able to think and work well independently with minimal supervision and as a member of a team.
   

Job-specific Responsibilities continued in Additional Information... 

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering
   
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Massachusetts
   
• Minimum of ten years of professional level experience
   
• Experience in master planning, design, installation, and operation of central utility systems
   
• Experience managing capital construction projects
   
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude, be able to think and work well independently and as a team member.
   
• Ability to respond to off-hour storm contingencies and utility emergencies
   
• Ability to work extended hours when necessary
  Excellent oral and written communication skills
   

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Institutional, industrial, or utility company experience
• Experience working with underground steam, hot water, and chilled water distribution systems
• Familiarity with combined heat and power (CHP)
• Knowledge of mechanical systems in complex buildings and labs
• Knowledge of automated meter reading (AMR) systems for buildings
• Knowledge of management information systems and asset/work management systems (Maximo).
• Experience in developing, evaluating, and managing energy conservation projects
• Experience working in a customer-oriented business unit

Technology Skills Required:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (e.g., word-processing, spreadsheets, databases), internet applications, electronic mail/calendaring, etc.
• Ability to access and modify data in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems including AutoCAD
• Familiarity with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems

Special Requirements: Must possess a valid driver’s license and must provide his/her personal vehicle to travel on and off campus.
 

Certificates and Licenses

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Massachusetts
• A valid driver’s license 

Physical Requirements

• Must always be physically fit and mentally alert. 
• Must be able to frequently walk up and down stairs, ladders, etc. on an on-going basis, in an industrial plant and/or construction site setting. 
• Must be able to utilize ladders, scaffolds, high-lifts, and enter/work in confined spaces. 
• Required to wear personal protective equipment where necessary.

Working Conditions

Work Format:  This is an on-campus position (not hybrid or remote) based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs.

Additional Information

Job-Specific Responsibilities continued...

• Coordinate with other Campus Services divisions to formulate the best delivery of services to the University’s Schools and Units. Explore with the other Campus Services divisions possible new business opportunities within the University and help formulate business strategies. Assist in the preparation and implementation of new departmental policies and procedures to improve the delivery of engineering, operational, utility accounting, and maintenance services and planning.
• Develop, negotiate, and perform project management duties and oversight of various projects relative to district energy plants and utility infrastructure. Prepare and review technical and business portions of bid and contract documents. Interface with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants and University representatives to coordinate and manage projects for best implementation and minimum disruption to the University’s community and its activities. Responsible for budgeting and monitoring the function and expenditures for the various utility projects for the Schools and Units.
   
• Study and evaluate mechanical building systems for relevant Harvard facilities and departments as needed. Provide technical support including but is not limited to the installation, operation, and maintenance of steam, hot water, and chilled water systems, and HVAC controls. Interface with representatives from the Schools and Units to coordinate their projects with campus-wide utility projects. Incorporate the impacts of School and Unit projects into the budgets and work scope of the University’s utility capital plan.
   
• Assist in the reviewing and updating design guidelines/project specifications and drawings for mechanical systems and construction work. Work with representatives, architects, and consultant engineers for the Schools and Units to develop optimum cost and benefits to the campus utility and building systems for new construction and renovation projects.
   
• Examine, evaluate, and make recommendations on energy conservation proposals and products for the Schools and Units.
   
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of utility system records/documentation, internal technical standards, guidelines, recommended practices, and other knowledge or information management initiatives.

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel (required to provide on-site support during emergency situations as determined by management).

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Technical

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

395059 Engineer

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

Energy & Facilities

Salary Grade

059

Department

Engineering and Utilities

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

DMV, Education, Employment, Identity, License/Cert.

Schedule

Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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