Utility Performance Engineer 1 or 2 or 3

University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

3d • $90,000 - $115,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Utilities and Energy Management at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Utility Performance Engineer at Engineer I, II, or III level. The role supports campus energy and water performance through engineering analysis, performance modeling, commissioning expertise, and technical recommendations for building and utility systems. It evaluates demand- and supply-side utility performance and turns analytics into actionable recommendations, working with Utilities, Facilities, and campus teams to improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance.

The department operates a district energy system serving the university and provides electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services. The position is based in Austin, Texas, with a regular 40-hour Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The role may also require extended shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and participation in an on-call program. It requires driving university vehicles and carrying a university cell phone during work hours.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or related field and experience corresponding to the selected level: Engineer I requires 0–4 years, Engineer II requires 5–7 years, and Engineer III requires 8 or more years of relevant professional experience. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must hold a class C operator's driver's license; applicants selected must provide a current three-year driving record. A Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident if the candidate is not currently a Texas resident.

The role offers university benefits including health coverage, insurance options, paid vacation, sick time and holidays, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, training and professional conference opportunities, tuition assistance, employee discounts, and free access to university libraries, museums, and local transit.

Requirements

• 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: 0–4 years of experience in one or more of building systems engineering, energy management, commissioning, central utility plant operations, district energy systems, building automation systems, utility engineering, facilities engineering, or performance optimization.
• Engineer II: 5–7 years of relevant professional experience, plus the Engineer I qualifications.
• Engineer III: 8 or more years of relevant professional experience, plus the Engineer II qualifications.
• 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: Demonstrated experience evaluating building and/or utility system performance 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; experience performing technical reviews, performance assessments, or commissioning-related activities.
• Engineer II: Ability to independently manage projects, analyses, and technical assignments, and communicate technical findings and recommendations to operational and management audiences.
• Engineer III: Advanced experience evaluating and optimizing complex building systems, utility systems, or campus infrastructure.
• Engineer III: Demonstrated 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; ability to provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance.
• Engineer III: Experience influencing operational strategy, project prioritization, and long-term performance improvement initiatives, and managing multiple complex assignments while balancing operational, technical, and organizational priorities.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship.
• Must have a class C operator's driver's license and provide a current three-year driving record; if not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas driver's license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
• Must maintain an acceptable driver rating under Policy UTS157 Section 2.5.4.

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 inefficiencies, performance gaps, anomalies, and improvement opportunities.
• Apply analytics, operational data, and performance trends to support engineering evaluations and decision-making, and translate findings into actionable operating, optimization, project-development, and utility-management recommendations.
• Support and lead performance optimization initiatives through existing building commissioning, system assessments, operational reviews, control strategy evaluations, and verification of system performance.
• 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 align them with energy and water performance objectives.
• Contribute to performance-based design criteria, engineering standards, operational guidelines, and sequences of operation.
• Coordinate with Utilities, Facilities, and external partners; support troubleshooting, operational planning, implementation follow-up, and performance evaluation.
• Support benchmarking, performance monitoring, measurement and verification, and reporting; assist with performance indicators, operational procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices related to building performance, utility systems, commissioning, and performance management.
• Contribute to utility performance management strategies, programs, and technical approaches.
• Attend staff meetings, safety training or meetings, and plant operation and maintenance training courses; adhere to Utilities and University policies and procedures.
• Carry a university cell phone during work hours and drive a university vehicle or cart while maintaining an acceptable driver rating.
• Participate in the on-call program and work in confined or elevated spaces as required; shifts may be extended, including nights, 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.
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas defined-benefit retirement plan with employer matching funds.
• Optional voluntary retirement programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and Deferred Compensation 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training access and professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee discount program, including athletic tickets.
• Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums with staff ID.
• Free rides on UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID.

What This Job Offers

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