The Opportunity

Cornell University is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Designer to join our Facilities Engineering team. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the planning, design, and improvement of campus facilities through innovative and practical mechanical system solutions.

In this role, you will design HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for maintenance, repair, and renovation projects across the university. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, and vendors to deliver high-quality designs that support the university's facilities and infrastructure needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems, including developing plans, specifications, and cost estimates for maintenance, repair, and renovation projects.
• Coordinate design and drafting activities to ensure projects are completed within established budgets and schedules.
• Support construction administration through project meetings, field inspections, vendor coordination, and technical guidance.
• Conduct facility condition assessments, asset identification, and feasibility analyses, and prepare technical reports to communicate findings and recommendations.
• Manage mechanical and multidisciplinary design projects of low to moderate complexity.
• Review consultant designs to ensure compliance with Cornell's Design and Construction Standards.
• Provide technical and financial analysis, including design reviews and cost evaluations, for projects across the university.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of university design and construction standards.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), endowed position based in Ithaca, NY. This position follows a 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid work arrangement. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time. Work hours are flexible.   

About the Division of Facilities and Campus Services

With more than 260 major buildings enhancing the magnificent landscape of the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as steward of the campus resources and operations.

What We Need

We are seeking a team member with experience in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design who demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

Additionally, you will have: 

• Minimum of an Associate’s degree (2 yrs minimum) in mechanical engineering technology, construction technology or related field, plus three years minimum design experience in in design of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Technical knowledge of design and construction industries. 
• Knowledge of building mechanical systems and construction estimating.
• Knowledge of technical specifications, and multidiscipline drawing coordination. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to cultivate interpersonal relationships, and effective organization skills. 
• Ability to participate effectively on teams, set priorities, and exercise good judgment. 
• Ability to work on multiple projects with varying scope, multiple stages of completion and/or vague requirements.
• Comfortability with working in variable conditions, awareness of associated hazards, and willingness to comply with local policies. Examples may include but not be limited to the presence of chemical odors, animals, insects, plants, dust, confined space, access by ladder or scaffolding, noise, and other physical hazards. Safety gear may be required.
• Proficiency with a variety of business and technical computer software (such as MS Word, Excel, email).
• A valid driver’s license; may be required to operate a motor vehicle (your own vehicle or Cornell-owned) to travel to/from job sites.   

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (BSME preferred).
• Successful completion of Part A of the Professional Engineers exam. 
• Working knowledge of the engineering codes and industry standards in discipline (such as NYS Building Codes, ASHRAE, ASME, NFPA).
• Experience in 3D design software such as Revit/BIM). 
• Experience in lab renovations and critical environments including but not limited to cleanrooms design, walk-in industrial refrigeration coolers, and high purity material of construction selection, as well as facilities engineering experience in sprinkler design, hydraulic calculations, controls, duct and piping design.      

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• This position is based in Ithaca, New York. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

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The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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