Mechanical Engineer

Posting Number

STA00725PO26

Job Family

Campus Development

Job Function

Engineering

USC Market Title

Mechanical Engineer

Link to USC Market Title

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/213560

Job Level

P3 - Professional

Business Title (Internal Title)

Mechanical Engineer

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

Division of Administration and Finance

Department

DAF Facilities Energy Management

State Pay Range

G12

USC Market Range

MRK - $86,515 $110,307 $134,098

Anticipated Hiring Range

$86,515 - $110,307

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Trades/Maintenance

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Engineering Support, the Mechanical Engineer leads in-house mechanical engineering design efforts and performs technical management for HVAC, hydronic, steam, and plumbing infrastructure projects across the University of South Carolina-Columbia Campus. This role is responsible for executing high-quality in-house mechanical designs, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and conducting thorough technical reviews of campus central energy plants, chilled water modeling, steam distribution, and building mechanical systems.

The Mechanical Engineer coordinates mechanical designs across delivery methods to ensure overall compatibility with site and building plans, performs field investigations to refine project scopes, and exercises delegated AHJ technical review and approval authority for campus mechanical installations, energy efficiency renewals, and code compliance.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

• Driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Registered Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of South Carolina (or ability to obtain via reciprocity within 6 months of hire).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Deep knowledge of the International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), ASHRAE standards (including 90.1 and 62.1), NFPA standards, South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code, and Office of State Engineer (OSE) guidelines.
• Authority and capability to serve as a technical AHJ reviewer for campus mechanical permit approvals, field inspections, code interpretations, and system variances. Proficiency in CAD and BIM software (AutoCAD, Revit) and mechanical system modeling/energy analysis tools (e.g., Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, pipe flow/hydronic modeling).
• Skilled in leading multi-disciplinary in-house design teams and coordinating across architectural, electrical, structural, and civil disciplines. Strong project management, analytical, field-investigation, and clear technical communication skills.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Execute in-house mechanical engineering design work products and services within specified milestones and quality standards. Perform all aspects of mechanical engineering design for a wide variety of campus infrastructure projects, including HVAC systems, central chilled water, steam distribution, plumbing, and building automation controls.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

30

Job Duty

Serve as a designated Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) representative for mechanical engineering matters. Perform technical plan reviews, approve code compliance documentation, evaluate variance requests, and conduct code enforcement inspections to ensure university projects adhere to IMC, IPC, ASHRAE, OSE, and state building code standards.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

25

Job Duty

Perform technical management and engineering reviews of campus central utility plants, chillers, boilers, steam generation/distribution networks, primary hydronic pumping systems, and campus energy management systems. Evaluate plant capacity, energy efficiency, system reliability, and environmental standards to support campus operational continuity.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Job Duty

Lead multi-disciplinary in-house design teams executing campus projects. Coordinate mechanical engineering design integration with electrical, structural, architectural, and civil disciplines for different delivery methods to ensure overall compatibility, energy efficiency, and safety.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

15

Job Duty

Conduct site investigation field trips to project sites to collect pertinent data, inspect existing mechanical and plumbing infrastructure conditions, and refine or develop project scopes through direct collaboration with sponsoring campus activities, operations staff, and maintenance teams.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Job Duty

Completes work orders and safety data sheets as necessary to communicate needs and/or to indicate completed work assignments.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive

No

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

11/01/2026

Job Open Date

09/25/2026

Job Close Date

11/09/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by November 09, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213706

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.