Senior Engineer, Operations - The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $140,000 - $159,000

Position Summary

The Senior Engineer, reporting to the Associate Director for Commissioning, will lead critical engineering and project management initiatives across central utility and building MEP systems. This role encompasses the oversight of design, construction, commissioning, and operational support to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of installed systems. The Senior Engineer will liaise with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects aligned with university standards.

Responsibilities

• Project Management & Engineering
  • Oversee large-scale central utility projects, managing the design and construction process.
  • Coordinate consulting engineers and contractors to ensure alignment with design criteria, performance metrics, maintainability, and compatibility with existing systems.
  • Conduct field inspections during construction and prior to turnover to verify design compliance.
  • Prepare bid documents for consulting services and project construction.
  • Develop project budgets and oversee project administration.
  • Independently manage the design and construction of smaller mechanical and electrical utility projects.
  Commissioning
  • Direct and manage external commissioning agents for building MEP and central utility projects.
  • Represent the Facilities Operations department during project meetings to resolve operational and maintenance issues.
  • Oversee the timely review of project documents and submittals by engineers, commissioning agents, and internal staff.
  • Coordinate the training of personnel on newly installed systems and supervise equipment/system testing.
  Operational Support
  • Apply engineering expertise to troubleshoot central utility and building MEP systems, supporting operational personnel.
  • Contribute to enhancing system performance and operational efficiency.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned to meet departmental needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years in engineering, with a focus on central utility (e.g., power, CHP, steam, chilled water, compressed air) and building MEP project design and management.
• Proven ability to manage projects from conception through acceptance, including the oversight of consultants and contractors.
• Experience with commissioning and operational support in facilities settings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering (PE) license is highly desirable.