Duke Utility & Engineering Services

HVAC/Mechanical Engineer

Position Description

BACKGROUND

As part of the Facilities Management Department, Duke Utility & Engineering Services (DUES) includes the following operating units that provide the full range of utility services to the Duke Campus and Medical Center:  Chilled Water, Steam, High Voltage, Water, Sanitary Sewer, Stormwater, Energy Management and Engineering.  The Engineering unit provides strategic, capital and financial planning; engineering evaluation, operational assistance and design services to campus utilities & building projects.  This position reports to the Assistant Director, Engineering & Planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The HVAC Mechanical Engineer will assist with the design of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Manage the design of assigned university building projects at Duke University; perform related engineering analysis to assist in planning and ensure efficient operations; assist in the development of design standards; provide design review for both utility and building projects.

Typical Duties

• Participate in the design, planning, evaluation, construction, operation, and maintenance of University HVAC systems as well as other mechanical systems such as cooling and heating plants, refrigeration, plumbing, fire protection and associated distribution systems to ensure that the needs of the University are met in the most economical and effective manner.
• Review engineering plans, specifications and equipment for both utility and building projects; inspect projects during and following installation and advise as to compliance with specifications prior to University acceptance; provide feedback on maintainability and conformance to standards.
• Assist in project quality assurance, commissioning and optimization of HVAC systems, performing building audits, designing components of new programs, researching new energy efficiency measures.
• Develop scope of work, balancing stakeholder needs and budgetary restraints, for small-to-medium HVAC issues that arise on campus (work orders).  Collaborate with consultants and contractors to determine feasibility, basic schedule, and rough order of magnitude pricing, for stakeholder decision. 
• Assist in the continued development of University standards to provide guidelines for future project planning, design, construction and maintenance.
• Determine fiscal requirements for mechanical systems and submit budgetary recommendations.
• Advise and assist with problems involving mechanical maintenance, such as, but not restricted to, psychrometrics, fluid flow and mechanical control systems.
• Prepare reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
• Support the staff responsible for multi-year financial planning, particularly including identifying risks and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor, examine and verify expenditure of funds to established project budgets.
• The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3 years’ experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• HVAC system design
• Building commissioning and audit performance
• Excellent understanding of HVAC mechanical equipment operation.
• Ability to assist with field inspection and control, including start-up and commissioning of HVAC equipment.
• Strong background in designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing functions of systems serving laboratories, cleanrooms, and critical spaces.  
• Knowledge of the NC Building, Mechanical and Energy Codes, Life Safety Code and ASHRAE Standards.
• Ability to create and maintain positive customer and stakeholder relationships.
• Microsoft Office skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• CAD drafting skills utilizing AutoCAD
• HVAC load calculation and analysis experience (TRANE TRACE, Carrier HAP, or similar program experience)
• Experience in the controls and instrumentation for building and central plant systems

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.