Utility Performance Engineer 1 or 2 or 3

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Utilities and Energy Management at The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Utility Performance Engineer at Engineer I, II, or III level to support campus energy and water performance. The department provides electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services to the university. This role uses engineering analysis, performance modeling, commissioning expertise, and technical recommendations to evaluate building and utility systems and improve their efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance. The position collaborates with Utilities, Facilities, and campus teams, translating operational data and analytics into recommendations for operating strategies, optimization efforts, project development, and utility management priorities. The engineer evaluates systems through data and trend analysis, commissioning activities, field observations, and performance modeling; identifies inefficiencies and opportunities; and supports or leads optimization initiatives, assessments, operational reviews, and verification of system performance. The role also supports energy and water improvement projects, assessing feasibility, lifecycle performance, expected savings, operational impacts, and implementation considerations. It provides technical input on design and infrastructure projects and contributes to performance-based criteria, standards, guidelines, and sequences of operation. Additional work includes troubleshooting and operational planning, benchmarking, performance monitoring, measurement and verification, reporting, and continuous improvement. The engineer keeps informed about industry trends, technologies, regulations, and best practices and contributes to utility performance management programs. Other duties include attending meetings and safety and plant operations training, carrying a university cell phone during work hours, following university policies and procedures, driving university vehicles or carts, maintaining an acceptable driving record, and participating in the on-call program. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; extended shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, may be required. The position is based in Austin, Texas, and is expected to continue. A class C driver's license is required, along with a current three-year driving record; a non-Texas resident must obtain a Texas driver's license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship. Salary starts at $90,000 for Engineer I, $105,000 for Engineer II, and $115,000 for Engineer III, depending on qualifications. Required application materials are a resume/CV, three work references including at least one supervisor, and a letter of interest.

Requirements

Engineer I: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Engineer I: 0 to 4 years of experience in building systems engineering, energy management, commissioning, central utility plant operations, district energy systems, building automation systems, utility engineering, facilities engineering, or performance optimization.
Engineer I: Basic knowledge of HVAC, chilled water, steam, heating, cooling, electrical, water, or related building and utility infrastructure systems.
Ability to analyze technical information and develop recommendations to improve system performance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Engineer II: All Engineer I qualifications, plus 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience.
Engineer II: Experience evaluating building and/or utility systems through engineering analysis, operational data, commissioning, troubleshooting, or performance monitoring.
Engineer II: Experience identifying and developing recommendations for operational improvements, optimization opportunities, or capital improvement projects.
Engineer II: Experience performing technical reviews, performance assessments, or commissioning-related activities.
Engineer II: Ability to independently manage projects, analyses, and technical assignments, and communicate findings and recommendations to operational and management audiences.
Engineer III: All Engineer II qualifications, plus 8 or more years of relevant professional experience.
Engineer III: Advanced experience evaluating and optimizing complex building systems, utility systems, or campus infrastructure.
Engineer III: Experience leading significant performance improvement initiatives, commissioning efforts, engineering studies, optimization projects, or performance management programs.
Engineer III: Experience developing technical standards, operational guidelines, design criteria, or engineering best practices.
Engineer III: Ability to provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers, analysts, and operations personnel.
Engineer III: Experience influencing operational strategy, project prioritization, and long-term performance improvement initiatives, and managing multiple complex assignments across technical and organizational priorities.
Class C operator's driver's license; selected applicant must provide a current three-year driving record from their current state of residence. Non-Texas residents must obtain a Texas driver's license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship.
Must provide a resume/CV, three work references with contact information (at least one from a supervisor), and a letter of interest.

Nice To Haves

Engineer-in-Training (EIT), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP), Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP), Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP), or similar credential.
Advanced degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
Experience with Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx), retro-commissioning, or ongoing commissioning programs.
Experience with central utility plants, district energy systems, chilled water systems, steam systems, power generation systems, water systems, or campus utility infrastructure.
Experience with building automation systems, controls optimization, HVAC sequences of operation, or operational analytics.
Experience with measurement and verification, energy modeling, performance modeling, benchmarking, or utility system optimization.
Experience reviewing construction documents, technical standards, design submittals, or engineering specifications.
Experience supporting sustainability, decarbonization, energy conservation, or water conservation initiatives.
Experience in higher education, healthcare, research, government, or other large institutional environments.
Knowledge of ASHRAE standards, commissioning practices, energy codes, utility operations, and resource management best practices.

Responsibilities

Evaluate building systems, utility systems, and associated equipment using data analysis, trend evaluation, commissioning, field observations, and performance modeling.
Identify operational inefficiencies, performance gaps, anomalies, and opportunities to improve energy and water performance.
Use analytics, operational data, and performance trends to support engineering evaluation and decision-making, translating findings into actionable recommendations.
Support and lead system performance optimization through existing building commissioning, system assessments, operational reviews, control strategy evaluations, and performance verification.
Assess building and utility system operation against intended energy and water performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Identify, evaluate, and support energy and water performance improvement projects, including assessment of technical feasibility, lifecycle performance, expected savings, operational impacts, and implementation considerations.
Review and provide technical input on design, construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects to support energy and water performance objectives.
Contribute to performance-based design criteria, engineering standards, operational guidelines, and sequences of operation.
Collaborate with Utilities, Facilities, and external partners; support troubleshooting, operational planning, and implementation follow-up.
Support benchmarking, performance monitoring, measurement and verification, reporting, performance indicators, operational procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices relating to building performance, utility systems, commissioning, and performance management.
Contribute to utility performance management strategies, programs, and technical approaches.
Perform other related functions as assigned and attend staff meetings, safety meetings or training, and plant operation and maintenance training courses.
Carry a University cell phone during work hours and adhere to Utilities and University policies and procedures.
Drive University vehicles or carts, maintain an acceptable driver rating, and participate in the on-call program.

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.
Teachers Retirement System of Texas defined-benefit retirement plan with employer matching funds.
Optional Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) retirement programs.
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
Free training access through LinkedIn Learning and professional conference opportunities.
Tuition assistance.
Employee discount program, including athletic tickets.
Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums with staff ID card.
Free rides on UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card.