• 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

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Senior Engineer is responsible for managing large central utility projects, overseeing the design and construction process, and ensuring compliance with University standards. This includes supervising consulting engineers and contractors, reviewing projects for design performance and maintainability, and conducting field inspections to verify compliance. For smaller central utility projects, the Senior Engineer will directly oversee the design and construction of mechanical and electrical systems.

The role also involves managing the commissioning process, including coordinating with external Commissioning Agents to ensure comprehensive commissioning of building MEP and central utility projects. The Senior Engineer will represent the Facilities Operations department in project meetings, resolve operational and maintenance issues, and coordinate the training of personnel on new equipment and systems. Additionally, the Senior Engineer provides operational support, applying engineering expertise to troubleshoot central utilities and building MEP systems.

Responsibilities

• Project Management:

  • Manage large central utility projects and smaller mechanical and electrical projects.
  • Oversee the design and construction process, ensuring adherence to University criteria for performance, constructability, maintainability, and system compatibility.
  • Develop project budgets, prepare bid documents, and administer projects from conception to completion.

• Compliance and Inspections:

  • Conduct ongoing reviews to ensure project compliance with design standards.
  • Perform field inspections during construction and prior to turnover.

• Commissioning and Training:

  • Manage the commissioning process, including engaging and supervising external Commissioning Agents.
  • Coordinate timely reviews of project documents and submittals with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Organize training for operating and maintenance personnel on new equipment and systems.

• Operational Support:

  • Provide engineering expertise to troubleshoot central utility and building MEP systems.
  • Witness equipment testing as required.

• Collaboration:

  • Attend project meetings and represent Facilities Operations in addressing operational and maintenance concerns.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering (preferred).
• Professional Engineering (PE) registration (highly desirable).
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from design through commissioning and acceptance.
• Background in both design firms and facilities operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage consultants, contractors, and junior engineers.
• Proven ability to contribute effectively with minimal orientation

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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