Mechanical Engineer

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer who will be responsible for assisting the Associate Director for Engineering and Utilities (ADEU) for engineering design efforts related to building systems and campus infrastructure and assisting in developing guidelines and standards that produce efficient energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Mechanical Engineer strives to ensure these tasks are executed in a collaborative fashion between Design and Construction (D&C), Facility Operations, Planning and Architecture (P&A) and with the Office of Sustainability in an effort to achieve the University’s overarching design, operational, energy, and environmental goals.

The Mechanical Engineer reports to the Associate Director of Engineering and Utilities (ADEU) and supports the ADEU in representing the Office of Mechanical and Real Estate in planning efforts for major and minor design and renovation projects on the historic Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Homewood campus with occasional oversight for Capital Projects on the East Baltimore campus, the Peabody campus, Washington DC, Montgomery County, international, and lease locations.

The Mechanical Engineer will support the ADEU with planning efforts and engineering and design solutions (materials, systems, coordination, project delivery, commissioning, etc.) for university Facility Operations and Design & Construction units, division representatives, other stakeholders, and with outside consultants to ensure design and construction work conforms to university standards, sound engineering practice, and the university’s sustainability and environmental goals. Responsibilities include advisory participation throughout the planning and design process; review and analysis of design and construction documents prepared for the university by outside consultants; participation in construction oversight; and assistance to the development of policies, procedures, standards and process improvements. The Mechanical Engineer will work directly with the JHFRE/D&C department's project managers who are typically responsible for overall project management.

The Mechanical Engineer will provide technical assistance to the Office of Sustainability in evaluating energy strategies to help with achieving the University’s climate change initiatives.

From time to time, where the utilization of internal resources is merited, the Mechanical Engineer will assist the ADEU with design and construction documents, and construction administration efforts.

University project clients include a broad constituency of JHU Senior Leadership, JHU Deans, Department Chairs, Faculty, Researchers, Senior Administrators, and Trustees.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs analyses of existing building systems to makes recommendations regarding design, functionality, and performance. This may include engaging outside consultants for testing, planning or design studies, and engineering support. Systems to be evaluated include heating, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing, and controls.
• Participates and makes technical recommendations in design and construction progress meetings to help ensure adherence to university standards and contract conditions.
• Reviews, and evaluates Capital Project designs in support of the university’s standards, guidelines, and policies. Provides technical recommendations.
• Participates in educational programs aimed at furthering Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate (JHFRE)'s and JHU staff's awareness of building systems issues.
• Supports the ADEU in developing and documenting design standards for renovation and new construction that support the Capital and Campus Plan goals and objectives, are durable and financially appropriate, and reflect sound engineering practice. Training of staff, monitoring the use and success of the policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, and revising them from time to time will also be the responsibility of this individual. Provides oversight and review of consultant’s documents for design and construction projects in the area of campus and building systems engineering and design, detailing, conformance with JHU standards, and appropriateness of systems and product specification.
• Interfaces with JHFRE departments in recommending the most appropriate design solutions, addressing durability, financial sustainability, and engineering appropriateness. Reviews construction work progress on construction sites for quality assurance and conformance with contract documents. Assist in resolving discrepancies and disputes that arise during the construction process.
• Works with the ADEU to formulate and implement policy and process improvements for design and construction project development process and management.
• Assists the ADEU and participates in the training of staff in operation of the building systems and proper protocols for ensuring occupant comfort and energy savings.
• Participates in the systems commissioning process to monitor appropriate and thorough startup and testing of systems performance to ensure the university is receiving systems that comply with contractual requirements. Assists the ADEU with ongoing systems operation, re-commissioning, continuous commissioning and troubleshooting efforts.
• Provides technical engineering assistance to the Office of Sustainability for the continuing development and implementation of the University’s climate change initiative, which guides the university's overall environmental efforts by prioritizing projects, strategies, and programs to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Scope of Responsibility

• Identify, develop, and implement strategic engineering planning initiatives in the context of the Capital Plan, evolving regulatory requirements, and market conditions.
• Guide and review campus and building engineering efforts in support of the university’s Capital Plan.
• Guide and manage development of Capital Project engineering standards and deliverables requirements, and project management policies and processes.
• Guide and review Capital Project design and construction services.
• Provide technical assistance for the Office of Sustainability.

Decision Making

• Carries out duties and responsibilities with limited supervision.
• Makes decisions and establishes work priorities on complex, problem-solving operations.

Authority

• Does not direct the activities of staff.
• Influences the mechanical and electrical designs implemented in capital projects.

Communication

• Exchanges routine and non-routine information with leadership, staff, colleagues at peer institutions and vendors using effective oral and written communication skills, tact, and persuasion as appropriate.

• Builds camaraderie and alliances with a wide range of JHU constituents, and has a collaborative, inclusive, mentoring style of working well with others.
• The candidate must have the ability to communicate graphically through sketching, drafting and marking up drawings.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer license in the State of Maryland or a state with reciprocity preferred.
  
• Successful candidates will have at least seven years’ experience or a Master’s Degree in an associated field with five years’ experience in building MEP systems engineering and design work.
  
• Experience with construction and renovation of a broad variety of building types and construction methods. Experience with working with MEP sustainable concepts.
  
• The ability to use MS Office and AutoCAD and a thorough understanding of architectural and engineering drawings.
  
• Use of BIM software and other graphics programs is desired.
  

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, collegial, and consensus-building relationship with colleagues based on competence, trust, and respect.
  
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex material in a useful and understandable fashion to diverse audiences.
  
• Strategic thinker with proven analytical and organizational skills.
  
• Committed to the mission of the University, customer service, and best practices in planning, design, and construction.
  
• Knowledge of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, controls, and plumbing systems and/or power, electrical, lighting, and low-voltage systems.
  
• Knowledge of commissioning process and operation of mechanical systems.
  
• Knowledge of sustainable concepts and greenhouse gas generations.
  
• Knowledge and experience with developing accurate project cost budgets and cost impact reports. Ability to build comprehensive reports for data within spreadsheet and database systems.
  
• Ability to produce accurate, timely delivery of complex materials. Flexibility to work with last minute changes.
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods of time.
  
• Ability to climb ladders, move around construction sites, and navigate tight spaces typically found in mechanical, electrical, and utility rooms.
  
• Ability to operate a computer and other equipment on a frequent basis. Ability to frequently communicate with coworkers.
  
• Ability to move about.

Classified Title: Mechanical Engineer 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF  
Starting Salary Range: $85,500 - $149,800 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick 
Department name: Plant Operations  
Personnel area: University Administration