Job Description

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Engineering Services, the Mechanical Engineer will serve in a dual capacity as a member of the Engineering Services team.

This position serves as one of the University's representatives for review and acceptance of Capital, Renovation, and operational projects. The engineering team will provide project engineering support through review, research, analysis, design, communication, coordination, and field observation/inspection activities and prioritize the facility needs of Virginia Tech from an owner's perspective. The engineer will assist to ensure the project scope is executed successfully and translate customer needs into engineering solutions that align with the University's standards. They will collaborate with University Building Official regarding code issues/interpretation. The team will work with all members of the project team through planning, design, construction, and warranty induction providing post-project facility engineering consultation. They will analyze and prioritize major maintenance projects versus recapitalization; and provide design, analysis, and field engineering support of select projects and Facilities Operations programs. The engineering team will provide facilities engineering support to operations and maintenance staff and other departments upon request in addition to providing condition assessment support for the building condition assessment program.

This position also leads a strategic, collaborative effort within the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities to establish engineering and technical standards for materials, processes, methods, designs, and engineering practices for use by stakeholders of university design and construction projects. The comprehensive program maintains and continuously updates a singular guideline document referred to as the Virginia Tech Design Standards (Orange Manual).

The incumbent will document and communicate the resulting standards portfolio (Orange Manual) thoughtfully and effectively that is used by architects, landscape architects, and engineers involved in the preparation of design and construction documents for Virginia Tech. The standards are also a reference for university project managers, construction administration managers, and other personnel whose responsibilities relate to design, construction, and renovations. The standards are meant to apply institutional lessons learned through design, construction, and in-house services.

As part of the contractual agreement between the design professional and the university, conscientious application of the standards is a tool to expedite the design and construction process in a cooperative, partnering effort. It is intended that the standards be incorporated into the design documents. The Construction Standards Official examines all factors involved to confirm that the standards will result in the most economic use of material and labor consistent with the safety and durability of the final product.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or directly related field; OR B.S. in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or directly related field with relevant experience equivalent to an advanced degree.
• Current registration as a professional engineer or architect, with the ability to obtain a Virginia license within one year of employment.
• Experience in design, analysis, condition assessment, project engineering, and facilities engineering in the field of electrical building systems.
• Thorough knowledge of engineering principles and techniques of engineering planning; of equipment and materials used in engineering operations; of specialized subjects used in the fields of engineering, such as mathematics, statistics, mechanics, power, physics, and chemistry; and of the strength of materials.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to practical engineering problems; to use engineering equipment and tools, including computer applications; to make, read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Working knowledge of engineering practices and procedures.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities; manage contracts; analyze problems and negotiate positive solutions; make defensible, unsupervised administrative decisions and recommendations; and provide technical and policy support.
• Ability to relate abstract ideas to actual needs and adopt a well-reasoned course of action.
• Highly competent in the technical aspects of the International Building Code (IBC) and the other codes and standards referenced by the IBC.
• Must also have the ability and willingness to work creatively with the intent of the code in solving difficult code problems.
• Substantial professional experience where duties demonstrate the following:
o Thorough knowledge of the enforcement of the IBC as a whole, including referenced ICC, NFPA, and other codes and standards, covering all key elements of design and construction.
o Must be capable of competently discussing all key elements with designers, contractors, and university staff.
o Understanding of general building construction including basic design elements, building systems, and construction processes.
o Understanding of typical design processes from design concept through construction documents.
o Understanding of major construction work, having onsite experience with contractors, and a basic understanding of building construction.
o Some familiarity with the basic trades and building systems including foundations, structure, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Knowledge of accessibility issues and planning mechanisms specific to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Universal Design.
• Excellent communication skills with a highly diverse audience including design professionals, contractors, and others.
• Experience researching and analyzing highly technical issues, preparing written reports, and making presentations to upper management.
• Significant experience working with personal computers and software related to typical business applications.