Manager of Mechanical Maintenance

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Mechanical Maintenance provides leadership, guidance, and development for maintenance personnel and programs serving the Power Plant and Chilling Stations, under the supervision of the Associate Director of Plant Maintenance. The role supports reliable operation of the University of Texas at Austin’s district energy assets and systems, including power generation, chilling stations, and distribution infrastructure. It develops and administers condition-based, predictive, and preventive maintenance programs; supports personnel training and development; and uses plant metrics to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

The position also provides technical expertise to Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) and campus stakeholders. It may oversee construction management for large capital projects, review project drawings and specifications for compliance with UEM standards, and contribute to infrastructure and building-system projects. The manager works with maintenance supervisors and campus partners on asset maintenance planning and scheduling, supports safety and quality programs, and contributes to strategic planning and reliable operations.

This is a regular staff position scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The employee must carry a University cell phone during work and on-call hours and respond to plant events outside scheduled hours, including weekends and holidays. The job involves work in varied weather and temperatures, around electrical and mechanical hazards, and potentially in confined spaces, elevated areas, and other demanding conditions. A Class C operator’s driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a similar discipline and four years of equipment-reliability experience; four additional years of experience in electricity, steam, chilled-water generation, and distribution systems may be credited in place of an Engineering degree.
• Ability to communicate principles of condition-based maintenance, including vibration and oil analysis.
• At least four years of experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Ability to foster a safe and cooperative work environment.
• Demonstrated experience in decision-making, budget management, and environmental stewardship.
• Proven leadership and ability to create an environment of employee involvement and continuous improvement.
• Class C operator’s driver’s license; selected applicant must provide a current three-year driving record from their state of residence. A non-Texas resident must obtain a Texas driver’s license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
• Maintain an acceptable driver rating as established by Policy UTS157.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Engineering.
• Five years of experience in energy management, engineering, power plant or similar operations administration, supervision, and operations.
• Experience using multiple condition-based maintenance programs and methods.
• Ability to communicate in ways that effectively motivate and influence others and to work effectively with diverse groups and cultures.
• Experience with environmental compliance programs.
• Experience operating and maintaining a combustion-turbine-based power plant and managing a district energy system.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide maintenance actions for the Power Plant and Chilling Stations to reduce equipment downtime.
• Develop and pursue maintenance strategies appropriate to asset criticality.
• Review and support users of maintenance programs, and develop new programs as needed.
• Administer and develop a comprehensive condition-based maintenance program to preserve district energy assets.
• Train employees to gather information on vibration, oil analysis, vessel integrity, and other maintenance indicators.
• Lead predictive and preventive maintenance programs in cooperation with department supervisors.
• Report plant metrics on maintenance program effectiveness and recommend areas for improvement.
• Provide input to safety and quality programs, and assist with other plant programs as assigned.
• Provide direct support to maintenance departments in the Power Plant, Chilling Stations, and distribution systems.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Drive University vehicles and maintain an acceptable driving record under UT System Policy UTS157.
• Guide departments in developing goals and long-range plans for reliable operations.
• Communicate effectively with various groups and serve as a technical resource and mentor.
• Support UEM and University core values, mission, policies, and procedures.
• Provide construction management oversight for large capital projects as needed.
• Serve as a UEM subject matter expert for campus and departmental infrastructure and building-systems projects.
• Review drawings and specifications for major construction projects to ensure adherence to UEM standards.
• Recommend improvements to UEM specifications to enhance asset reliability and maintenance.
• Support strategic planning, preventive maintenance development, and internal documentation practices for the Power Plant and Chilling Stations.
• Develop and maintain utility preventive maintenance standards.
• Coordinate with departmental and campus stakeholders on major asset maintenance scheduling and execution.
• Work with maintenance supervisors to recommend and investigate training programs, assess personnel skills, and interview applicants and make hiring recommendations.
• Attend staff meetings, safety training or meetings, and plant operation and maintenance training courses.
• Carry a University cell phone during work and on-call hours, participate in the on-call program, and respond to events outside scheduled work hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits, with employee premiums covered at 100% and family premiums at 50%.
• Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Teacher Retirement System of Texas defined-benefit retirement plan with employer matching funds.
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and Deferred Compensation 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
• Free access to LinkedIn Learning and professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee discount program, including athletic tickets.
• Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums with a staff ID card.
• Free rides on UT shuttles and Austin CapMetro buses with a staff ID card.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager