University Engineer
Inside Higher Ed, Columbus, OH, United States
Job Title: University Engineer
Department: Administration and Planning | FOD Design and Construction
The University Engineer is a strategic, campus‑wide leadership role responsible for shaping and stewarding the university’s engineering and infrastructure vision. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Facilities Design and Construction, this position leads a team of technical experts and plays a central role in capital planning, design and construction oversight, infrastructure strategy, sustainability, and cross‑campus stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Define and lead the university’s engineering vision, integrating infrastructure planning with university‑wide strategic priorities and FDC’s mission.
Serve as a key advisor to university leadership on major infrastructure systems and long‑range planning efforts, including utilities, energy, and campus‑wide capital projects.
Represent FDC in strategic initiatives such as the Campus Master Plan, Campus Infrastructure and Utility Master Plan, Sustainability and Energy initiatives, and the Comprehensive Energy Management Project (CEMP).
Lead the development and continual refinement of the Building Design Standards for multiple campus typologies and campus advancements, a key initiative for FDC.
Drive alignment between engineering planning and other strategic areas such as sustainability, life‑cycle cost analysis, and deferred maintenance mitigation.
Project & Infrastructure Oversight
Oversee the engineering review and technical assurance process for all university capital projects (new construction and renovation).
Provide leadership and oversight for key infrastructure programs, including utility master planning, energy systems, and high‑risk/high‑impact projects.
Partner with Planning and Real Estate (PARE) and FOD‑Operations to ensure technical planning aligns with annual and long‑term capital budgeting.
Lead the technical review and guidance process for engineering variance requests and compliance with applicable codes and university policies.
Campus Systems Integration
Lead strategic coordination and collaboration with university energy partners (OSEP/ENGIE), ensuring alignment between public‑private initiatives and university planning efforts.
Coordinate closely with facilities operations, environmental health and safety (EHS), risk management, sustainability, and auxiliary units.
Act as a liaison and integrator between FDC and consigned partners such as CampusParc and OSEP, ensuring technical needs are represented and understood.
Leadership & Team Management
Lead and manage the engineering and estimating teams within FDC, promoting collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
Mentor technical staff and support succession planning and professional development within the engineering unit.
Oversee several engineering, sustainability and campus utility / infrastructure committees, including adherence to policies and steering committee participation.
Fiscal and Capital Planning
Partner in the development of university‑wide capital budgets, including support for multiple funding streams (State, POM, General Fund, etc.).
Support the deferred maintenance program by advising on infrastructure risk, prioritization and investment strategy.
Lead the estimating and cost planning process to establish and manage project budgets, ensure cost predictability, and support Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) planning.
Key Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil or related field); advanced degree preferred.
Professional Engineering (PE) license required.
Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in facilities engineering, infrastructure planning, and/or capital project management in a large institutional setting.
Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional teams and large, complex organizations such as higher education, healthcare, or public sector institutions.
Technical Competencies
Broad expertise across MEP, structural, civil and envelope systems, with a generalist mindset and ability to manage diverse technical inputs.
Deep understanding of utility infrastructure systems (high‑pressure steam, chilled water, high voltage) and associated campus distribution systems.
Proficient in relevant codes and regulations (IBC, NEC, ASHRAE, NFPA, FGI, OBC) and experience integrating these standards into complex projects.
Experience with engineering in occupied buildings and phased construction typical of active academic and healthcare campuses.
Strategic & Operational Capabilities
Proven ability to translate institutional goals into actionable engineering strategies.
Systems thinker with a proactive, long‑range planning mindset and the ability to synthesize information from multiple disciplines.
Familiarity with design and construction delivery methods (CMR, DBB, Design‑Build) and the ability to influence project outcomes from conception through closeout.
Skilled at navigating organizational dynamics, facilitating consensus, and fostering collaboration among technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
The University Engineer will be a thought partner to senior leaders, a mentor to technical staff, and a systems integrator who ensures Ohio State’s infrastructure meets the needs of its ambitious academic, research, and healthcare missions.
Performs other duties as assigned. Must be available 24/7 for emergencies or as operations dictate. Requires successful completion of a criminal background check. This position is designated as essential under the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy.
Senior leadership experience: Minimum 10 years supervisory experience in facilities management, facilities or manufacturing maintenance, or facilities project management organization.
Additional qualifications: Experience with campus‑wide utility infrastructure, district energy systems or CHP integration; demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, build consensus; prior work with OSU, the State of Ohio, or OFCC is a plus.
Professional Engineer license required. Strategic planning experience. Experience working on a large university campus. Experience working with state contracts.
Salary range: $151,300 - $197,650 annually.
Function: Facilities, Engineering and Acquisition
Sub Function: Facilities Engineering
Band: People Leader
Level: M5 Senior Director
Location: Enarson Classroom Building (0072)
Position Type: Regular
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: First Shift
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
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Department: Administration and Planning | FOD Design and Construction
The University Engineer is a strategic, campus‑wide leadership role responsible for shaping and stewarding the university’s engineering and infrastructure vision. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Facilities Design and Construction, this position leads a team of technical experts and plays a central role in capital planning, design and construction oversight, infrastructure strategy, sustainability, and cross‑campus stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Define and lead the university’s engineering vision, integrating infrastructure planning with university‑wide strategic priorities and FDC’s mission.
Serve as a key advisor to university leadership on major infrastructure systems and long‑range planning efforts, including utilities, energy, and campus‑wide capital projects.
Represent FDC in strategic initiatives such as the Campus Master Plan, Campus Infrastructure and Utility Master Plan, Sustainability and Energy initiatives, and the Comprehensive Energy Management Project (CEMP).
Lead the development and continual refinement of the Building Design Standards for multiple campus typologies and campus advancements, a key initiative for FDC.
Drive alignment between engineering planning and other strategic areas such as sustainability, life‑cycle cost analysis, and deferred maintenance mitigation.
Project & Infrastructure Oversight
Oversee the engineering review and technical assurance process for all university capital projects (new construction and renovation).
Provide leadership and oversight for key infrastructure programs, including utility master planning, energy systems, and high‑risk/high‑impact projects.
Partner with Planning and Real Estate (PARE) and FOD‑Operations to ensure technical planning aligns with annual and long‑term capital budgeting.
Lead the technical review and guidance process for engineering variance requests and compliance with applicable codes and university policies.
Campus Systems Integration
Lead strategic coordination and collaboration with university energy partners (OSEP/ENGIE), ensuring alignment between public‑private initiatives and university planning efforts.
Coordinate closely with facilities operations, environmental health and safety (EHS), risk management, sustainability, and auxiliary units.
Act as a liaison and integrator between FDC and consigned partners such as CampusParc and OSEP, ensuring technical needs are represented and understood.
Leadership & Team Management
Lead and manage the engineering and estimating teams within FDC, promoting collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
Mentor technical staff and support succession planning and professional development within the engineering unit.
Oversee several engineering, sustainability and campus utility / infrastructure committees, including adherence to policies and steering committee participation.
Fiscal and Capital Planning
Partner in the development of university‑wide capital budgets, including support for multiple funding streams (State, POM, General Fund, etc.).
Support the deferred maintenance program by advising on infrastructure risk, prioritization and investment strategy.
Lead the estimating and cost planning process to establish and manage project budgets, ensure cost predictability, and support Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) planning.
Key Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil or related field); advanced degree preferred.
Professional Engineering (PE) license required.
Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in facilities engineering, infrastructure planning, and/or capital project management in a large institutional setting.
Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional teams and large, complex organizations such as higher education, healthcare, or public sector institutions.
Technical Competencies
Broad expertise across MEP, structural, civil and envelope systems, with a generalist mindset and ability to manage diverse technical inputs.
Deep understanding of utility infrastructure systems (high‑pressure steam, chilled water, high voltage) and associated campus distribution systems.
Proficient in relevant codes and regulations (IBC, NEC, ASHRAE, NFPA, FGI, OBC) and experience integrating these standards into complex projects.
Experience with engineering in occupied buildings and phased construction typical of active academic and healthcare campuses.
Strategic & Operational Capabilities
Proven ability to translate institutional goals into actionable engineering strategies.
Systems thinker with a proactive, long‑range planning mindset and the ability to synthesize information from multiple disciplines.
Familiarity with design and construction delivery methods (CMR, DBB, Design‑Build) and the ability to influence project outcomes from conception through closeout.
Skilled at navigating organizational dynamics, facilitating consensus, and fostering collaboration among technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
The University Engineer will be a thought partner to senior leaders, a mentor to technical staff, and a systems integrator who ensures Ohio State’s infrastructure meets the needs of its ambitious academic, research, and healthcare missions.
Performs other duties as assigned. Must be available 24/7 for emergencies or as operations dictate. Requires successful completion of a criminal background check. This position is designated as essential under the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy.
Senior leadership experience: Minimum 10 years supervisory experience in facilities management, facilities or manufacturing maintenance, or facilities project management organization.
Additional qualifications: Experience with campus‑wide utility infrastructure, district energy systems or CHP integration; demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, build consensus; prior work with OSU, the State of Ohio, or OFCC is a plus.
Professional Engineer license required. Strategic planning experience. Experience working on a large university campus. Experience working with state contracts.
Salary range: $151,300 - $197,650 annually.
Function: Facilities, Engineering and Acquisition
Sub Function: Facilities Engineering
Band: People Leader
Level: M5 Senior Director
Location: Enarson Classroom Building (0072)
Position Type: Regular
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: First Shift
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr