Director of Energy and Engineering (On-site)

About the Job

The Director of Energy & Engineering serves as the university's senior engineering authority for campus energy systems, utility infrastructure, and engineering operations. Operating with a high degree of autonomy and seasoned professional judgment, the Director provides strategic leadership across energy management, engineering design, capital renewal, utilities operations, and sustainability initiatives.

This role oversees a multidisciplinary team responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-efficient operation of the campus utility enterprise—including the Central Heating & Cooling Plant, Thermal Energy Storage facility, high-pressure steam and condensate systems, chilled water distribution network, and potable water systems. The Director ensures these systems meet stringent standards for safety, efficiency, regulatory compliance, resilience, and long-term asset stewardship.

The Director establishes engineering goals, policies, and technical standards that support the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service. Responsibilities include optimizing HVAC and central plant performance; developing and implementing operating procedures; leading system diagnostics and performance analytics; and providing engineering expertise for major construction, capital renewal, and infrastructure expansion projects. The position also develops and oversees emergency response plans for energy and HVAC systems to mitigate service interruptions and ensure business continuity. The Director will be required to drive a vehicle on and off campus to UCM satellite locations to evaluate buildings, including MEP systems, meeting with contractors, stakeholders, etc.

A key leader in advancing university-wide sustainability and decarbonization objectives, the Director integrates energy strategy with facilities operations, capital planning, and academic priorities. They receive broad objectives and determine the strategies, resources, and timelines required to achieve them, while reviewing and approving recommendations for complex functional programs. Poor decisions at this level can result in significant cost impacts, operational disruptions, or schedule delays, emphasizing the importance of sound engineering analysis and management oversight.

Overall, the Director of Energy & Engineering drives a comprehensive, forward-looking engineering program that delivers reliable infrastructure, operational excellence, and measurable progress toward the university's long-term energy and sustainability goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Energy Management Strategy & Sustainability Leadership: Develops and manages the university's strategic energy initiatives, including decarbonization, electrification, and renewable energy integration. Monitors and analyzes energy consumption, utility emissions, and budgetary performance to support energy reduction goals. Prioritizes energy‑efficient technologies and implements impactful projects with minimal disruption to campus operations. Stays current with evolving policies, codes, and technologies affecting energy management and sustainability, adapting university processes accordingly.
2. Engineering Operations, Oversight & Technical Compliance: Ensures all energy and engineering operations comply with internal standards, regulatory requirements, building codes, and reporting mandates. Provides oversight to central utilities, building automation systems, and major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Leads engineering support for campus departments, providing expertise in design reviews, system optimization, and infrastructure performance. Identifies and mitigates engineering and operational risks, safeguarding university assets and ensuring resilience of critical systems.
3. Infrastructure Planning, Engineering Studies & Capital Project Support: Conducts and oversees engineering feasibility studies, condition assessments, life cycle cost analyses, and utility master planning. Develops short‑ and long‑term solutions to system deficiencies and campus utility needs, including site utility feasibility studies during capital project development. Works closely with Capital Projects to plan, scope, and review facility and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with university standards and long‑range campus plans. Participates in design phases, reviews budgets, approves engineering components, and attends key meetings with contractors, architects, and project teams.
4. Utilities Management, Procurement & Financial Stewardship: Serves as lead for procurement, monitoring, recharge, and reconciliation of all utilities purchased and distributed on campus. Oversees budget planning for energy and utility operations, evaluating long‑term financial impacts of infrastructure decisions. Reviews departmental expenditures and makes strategic decisions regarding resource allocation and cost optimization.
5. Stakeholder Collaboration, Representation & External Partnerships: Represents the unit, department, and/or AVC at meetings and conferences related to engineering, utilities, sustainability, and financial planning. Cultivates relationships with utility providers, regulatory agencies, architects, consultants, researchers, faculty, and students. Serves as a technical expert on committees and external working groups related to utilities and energy management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related area (required)
• 5 years of related experience (required)
• Professional Engineering License – Mechanical – CA (required)
• Driver's License required under SB1100
• Deep knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering principles related to central plants, HVAC systems, chilled water/steam distribution, thermal energy storage, and building automation systems
• Ability to analyze complex energy and utility data, identify efficiency opportunities, model system performance, and implement strategies that reduce consumption, costs, and carbon emissions
• Skill in developing and evaluating capital renewal plans, assessing deferred maintenance, and providing technical leadership for major construction, renovation, and system replacement projects
• Thorough understanding of relevant codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., ASHRAE, NFPA, Title 24, Cal/OSHA, EPA) and their application to campus utilities, engineering systems, and construction programs
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering, utilities, and energy teams; provide mentorship; set clear performance expectations; and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
• Skill in diagnosing system failures, evaluating technical risks, modeling operational impacts, and developing sound engineering solutions for infrastructure and building systems
• Ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects, manage budgets and schedules, oversee consultant and contractor work, and ensure alignment with campus priorities and long‑term infrastructure needs
• Knowledge of business continuity planning, utility outage response, and resilient system design, including ability to lead emergency engineering operations and quickly restore critical services
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively partner with faculty, researchers, students, senior leadership, agencies, vendors, and campus operations teams
• Knowledge of campus sustainability frameworks, carbon reduction strategies, and long‑term energy planning, including ability to lead efforts toward electrification, renewable energy integration, and climate resilience

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

How to Apply: An online application is required for each position. The University of California, Merced is aware that some web‑based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy: The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at

E-Verify: All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts require UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California, visit

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