Senior Electrical Engineer
Association of Old Crows, Cambridge, MA, United States
Job Description
Senior Electrical Engineer II – Engineering & Utilities (E&U) at Harvard University Central Administration (CADM). This full‑time exempt position supports the university’s campus utility systems, including electric, steam, hot water, chilled water, and building management/metering systems. The role involves engineering support for planning, design, operation, maintenance, and upgrades of the University’s utility infrastructure, along with short‑ and long‑range projects and coordinating with campus units and external partners.
Organizational Context / Position Summary
Engineering & Utilities operates and manages energy supplies, district energy plants, utility infrastructures, call and alarm monitoring, and a dispatch center on the Cambridge and Allston campuses. The Senior Electrical Engineer provides electrical engineering expertise at a senior level across the utility infrastructure, performing design, analysis, and technical support for system upgrades, capital projects, and energy management initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
Partner with E&U leadership to develop, refine, and maintain campus utility systems, coordinating with the needs of the university’s schools and units.
Oversee the installation and relocation of underground utility infrastructure with minimal impact on university activities.
Assume full engineering responsibility for utility distribution systems to ensure capability, flexibility, reliability, safety, economic operation, and expansion readiness.
Formulate and balance long‑ and short‑range plans and budgets for utility distribution upgrades.
Develop distribution system statistics, records, and drawings, and assist in documenting utility infrastructure for records purposes.
Maintain communications with governmental agencies to protect the university’s interests and stay current with federal, state, municipal, industry, and university codes, regulations, and best practices.
Engage and collaborate with E&U staff and partner groups to leverage systems data, reporting, and KPI monitoring for operational analysis.
Provide technical assistance to Campus Services personnel for operation and maintenance of central energy/utility production/distribution systems and building systems.
Recommend preventive maintenance, inspection, and testing programs for electrical distribution systems, chilled water and steam plants, and other electrical equipment.
Identify and develop cost‑control opportunities and system cost planning initiatives.
Serve as the university’s central engineering representative, providing unbiased information based on recognized engineering principles and sound professional judgment.
Interface with local utility suppliers and assist in utility metering, accounting, and billing activities, performing rate analyses and recommending alternative utility sources when economically justified.
Evaluate energy management system operations for improvement and enhancement possibilities for control and monitoring of campus utility and building distribution systems.
Work collaboratively and independently, demonstrating flexibility, self‑motivation, and strong organizational and presentation skills.
Coordinate with other Campus Services divisions to develop service delivery strategies and explore new business opportunities.
Assist in preparing and implementing new departmental policies and procedures to improve engineering, operational, utility accounting, and maintenance services.
Develop, negotiate, and perform project management duties for utility infrastructure projects, including reviewing technical and business portions of bid and contract documents and coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants.
Responsible for budgeting, monitoring, and overseeing expenditures for utility projects.
Study and evaluate electrical building systems for relevant facilities and departments, providing technical support for installation, operation, and maintenance of lighting, distribution systems, fire alarm, test equipment, and HVAC controls.
Review and update design guidelines, project specifications, and drawings for electrical systems and construction work.
Examine, evaluate, and recommend energy conservation proposals and products for schools and units.
Perform system load flow, short‑circuit/fault analysis, equipment evaluation, protective device coordination, harmonic distortion, and arc flash studies for the university’s electrical distribution systems.
Recommend settings for electronic and electromechanical protective relaying and develop protective schemes.
Maintain utility system records, internal technical standards, guidelines, and recommended practices, supporting knowledge‑management initiatives.
Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
BS in Electrical Engineering
Minimum of ten years of professional experience
Experience in master planning, design, installation, and operation of central utility systems
Experience managing capital construction projects
Special Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver’s license and provide a personal vehicle for on‑ and off‑campus travel.
Preferred Qualifications:
Institutional, industrial, or utility company experience
Experience with underground electric distribution and medium‑voltage substations
Familiarity with small‑scale power generation, CHP, distributed generation, microgrids, renewable energy, battery storage, and grid interconnection
Knowledge of electrical systems in complex buildings and laboratories
Knowledge of automated meter reading (AMR) systems
Knowledge of management information systems and asset/work management systems (Maximo)
Experience with power system analysis software
Familiarity with electrical safety regulations including OSHA Subpart S and NFPA 70E
Experience developing, evaluating, and managing energy conservation projects
Engineer in Training endorsement
Experience working in a customer‑oriented business unit
Self‑motivated, enthusiastic, can‑do attitude, independent and team‑oriented
Ability to work extended hours when necessary
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to respond to off‑hour storm contingencies and utility emergencies
Technology Skills Required:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (word, spreadsheet, database, internet, email/calendar)
Access and modify data in CAD systems, including AutoCAD
Familiarity with SCADA systems
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports a healthy work‑life balance, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage from day one, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing and mental health resources, support for families, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.
EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, striving to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
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Senior Electrical Engineer II – Engineering & Utilities (E&U) at Harvard University Central Administration (CADM). This full‑time exempt position supports the university’s campus utility systems, including electric, steam, hot water, chilled water, and building management/metering systems. The role involves engineering support for planning, design, operation, maintenance, and upgrades of the University’s utility infrastructure, along with short‑ and long‑range projects and coordinating with campus units and external partners.
Organizational Context / Position Summary
Engineering & Utilities operates and manages energy supplies, district energy plants, utility infrastructures, call and alarm monitoring, and a dispatch center on the Cambridge and Allston campuses. The Senior Electrical Engineer provides electrical engineering expertise at a senior level across the utility infrastructure, performing design, analysis, and technical support for system upgrades, capital projects, and energy management initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
Partner with E&U leadership to develop, refine, and maintain campus utility systems, coordinating with the needs of the university’s schools and units.
Oversee the installation and relocation of underground utility infrastructure with minimal impact on university activities.
Assume full engineering responsibility for utility distribution systems to ensure capability, flexibility, reliability, safety, economic operation, and expansion readiness.
Formulate and balance long‑ and short‑range plans and budgets for utility distribution upgrades.
Develop distribution system statistics, records, and drawings, and assist in documenting utility infrastructure for records purposes.
Maintain communications with governmental agencies to protect the university’s interests and stay current with federal, state, municipal, industry, and university codes, regulations, and best practices.
Engage and collaborate with E&U staff and partner groups to leverage systems data, reporting, and KPI monitoring for operational analysis.
Provide technical assistance to Campus Services personnel for operation and maintenance of central energy/utility production/distribution systems and building systems.
Recommend preventive maintenance, inspection, and testing programs for electrical distribution systems, chilled water and steam plants, and other electrical equipment.
Identify and develop cost‑control opportunities and system cost planning initiatives.
Serve as the university’s central engineering representative, providing unbiased information based on recognized engineering principles and sound professional judgment.
Interface with local utility suppliers and assist in utility metering, accounting, and billing activities, performing rate analyses and recommending alternative utility sources when economically justified.
Evaluate energy management system operations for improvement and enhancement possibilities for control and monitoring of campus utility and building distribution systems.
Work collaboratively and independently, demonstrating flexibility, self‑motivation, and strong organizational and presentation skills.
Coordinate with other Campus Services divisions to develop service delivery strategies and explore new business opportunities.
Assist in preparing and implementing new departmental policies and procedures to improve engineering, operational, utility accounting, and maintenance services.
Develop, negotiate, and perform project management duties for utility infrastructure projects, including reviewing technical and business portions of bid and contract documents and coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants.
Responsible for budgeting, monitoring, and overseeing expenditures for utility projects.
Study and evaluate electrical building systems for relevant facilities and departments, providing technical support for installation, operation, and maintenance of lighting, distribution systems, fire alarm, test equipment, and HVAC controls.
Review and update design guidelines, project specifications, and drawings for electrical systems and construction work.
Examine, evaluate, and recommend energy conservation proposals and products for schools and units.
Perform system load flow, short‑circuit/fault analysis, equipment evaluation, protective device coordination, harmonic distortion, and arc flash studies for the university’s electrical distribution systems.
Recommend settings for electronic and electromechanical protective relaying and develop protective schemes.
Maintain utility system records, internal technical standards, guidelines, and recommended practices, supporting knowledge‑management initiatives.
Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
BS in Electrical Engineering
Minimum of ten years of professional experience
Experience in master planning, design, installation, and operation of central utility systems
Experience managing capital construction projects
Special Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver’s license and provide a personal vehicle for on‑ and off‑campus travel.
Preferred Qualifications:
Institutional, industrial, or utility company experience
Experience with underground electric distribution and medium‑voltage substations
Familiarity with small‑scale power generation, CHP, distributed generation, microgrids, renewable energy, battery storage, and grid interconnection
Knowledge of electrical systems in complex buildings and laboratories
Knowledge of automated meter reading (AMR) systems
Knowledge of management information systems and asset/work management systems (Maximo)
Experience with power system analysis software
Familiarity with electrical safety regulations including OSHA Subpart S and NFPA 70E
Experience developing, evaluating, and managing energy conservation projects
Engineer in Training endorsement
Experience working in a customer‑oriented business unit
Self‑motivated, enthusiastic, can‑do attitude, independent and team‑oriented
Ability to work extended hours when necessary
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to respond to off‑hour storm contingencies and utility emergencies
Technology Skills Required:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (word, spreadsheet, database, internet, email/calendar)
Access and modify data in CAD systems, including AutoCAD
Familiarity with SCADA systems
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports a healthy work‑life balance, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage from day one, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing and mental health resources, support for families, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.
EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, striving to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
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