Senior Mechanical Engineer, Energy Planner
Yale University· Higher Education· Sep 3, 2026 · 2mo ago
New Haven, Connecticut
In office
Full-time
Senior
$90K–$166K
Job description
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Overview
The Senior Mechanical Engineer, Energy Planner provides direction, technical and analytical expertise, planning and project management for energy management projects in support of Yale University’s many goals. The Senior Mechanical Engineer, Energy Planner shall collaborate with a team of internal and external partners, including Yale’s capital planning and project management staff, operations personnel, and outside design professionals, to conceive and implement highly successful projects.
The Senior Mechanical Engineer, Energy Planner leads the planning, development, analysis, and management of energy conservation and transition initiatives across the University. This role identifies and evaluates opportunities to reduce energy use, operating costs, and emissions; develops energy-saving projects and supports them through planning, implementation, and results monitoring. The position conducts energy analysis, develops utility and energy-use projections, evaluates building and campus energy performance, and translates data into actionable recommendations and investment strategies. The role may also provide specialized expertise in utility incentive and rebate programs, identify opportunities to leverage available funding, and coordinate incentive applications to maximize the financial return of energy projects.
Required Skills and Abilities
1. Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills. Strong verbal and written communications skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills with willingness to establish productive rapport with staff and teams throughout the University who contribute to, and benefit from, a team environment.
3. Ability to adapt to changing priorities, programs, and organizational goals, while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
4. Ability and enthusiasm to learn and lead over time, stay informed of industry best practices, training, and new technical approaches to the most complex building and campus system challenges.
5. Ability to promote proactive energy management and climate action strategies on projects of all scale and scope at the University.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
1. PE, CEM or LEED AP
2. Experience with building system design and operation including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building automation systems and equipment, energy performance modeling, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
3. Experience with central utilities and cogeneration plants including plant equipment, distribution, metering, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
4. Experience with commissioning processes and principles from project formulation through turnover, and performance diagnostics.
5. Experience with managing projects and teams of consulting design professionals.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Participates in the formulation, design, construction and commissioning of projects overseen by the University's capital projects group. Reviews the work of design professionals with respect to University objectives and design standards, operability and maintainability and cost-effectiveness. Provides feedback and assistance to project managers and design professionals regarding all aspects of engineering design. 2. Facilitates commissioning of new and renovated mechanical systems including review of functional acceptance test scripts, participation in field testing of systems, interfacing with operations personnel with respect to operability and maintainability of systems, and participating in systems training 3. Directs complex engineering projects by retaining qualified outside engineering consultants and contractors. Prepares work scopes and/or requests for proposal to support project execution. Oversees engineering consultants and contractors to ensure high quality project delivery as well as conformance to established schedule and budget. Maintains a high level of involvement in and/or directly oversee project execution and represents findings in oral and/or written format as needed. 4. Assists University operations staff (Campus Operations and Utilities) in troubleshooting mechanical systems. Provides solutions to operational problems. 5. Formulates projects for the replacement, upgrade or enhancement of mechanical systems. 6. Reviews and suggests improvements to campus automation systems as appropriate. Formulates projects to improve building performance as needed. 7. Participates in budget development for projects and capital spending. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Engineering and eight years of related experience in engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
Required License(s) or Certification(s):
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements:
Job Posting Date
09/03/2026
Job Category
Professional
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Senior Manager; Senior Program Leader (P6)
Salary Range
$90,000.00 - $165,750.00
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
On-site
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
Application prep
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