Title: Director of Engineering
Position Type: Direct Hire
Location: Syracuse, NY
Key Project Requirements:
- Hands-on engineering experience supporting Combined Heat & Power (CHP), cogeneration, district energy, or central utility plant operations required.
- Strong technical knowledge of steam generation and distribution, chilled water systems, boilers, chillers, pumps, piping, controls, and thermal energy systems.
- Experience troubleshooting, optimizing, and improving the reliability of utility or industrial systems.
- Experience supporting capital projects, engineering studies, or infrastructure improvements preferred.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Director of Engineering to provide technical leadership for a district energy system serving a major university campus in Syracuse, New York. This role will oversee engineering activities related to utility systems, capital projects, energy optimization, reliability improvements, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will serve as a key technical resource and partner with operations and executive leadership to support the continued growth and performance of the system.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide technical leadership for steam, chilled water, hot water, HVAC, and CHP systems.
- Lead engineering studies, troubleshooting efforts, and root cause analysis activities.
- Manage capital projects through design, construction, and commissioning.
- Develop scopes of work, capital plans, and project budgets.
- Support operations teams with system optimization and reliability improvements.
- Ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.
- Prepare technical reports and communicate project updates to leadership and stakeholders.
Job Requirements:
- Strong understanding of utility infrastructure, HVAC systems, boilers, chillers, piping, and controls.
- Experience with energy analysis, KPI tracking, and performance optimization.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and construction documents.
- Experience managing engineering and construction projects.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project scheduling tools.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline required.
- 5+ years of engineering experience supporting CHP, cogeneration, district energy, central utility plants, or similar industrial utility systems.
- PE registration is preferred but not required.
- Experience supporting university campuses, hospitals, municipalities, or power generation facilities is highly desirable.
Compensation Range per year: $120,000 - $145,000
