University of South Carolina

Mechanical Engineer

University of South Carolina • $86K — $110K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 3+ years of experience or equivalent education/experience combination.
  • Driver's license required.
  • Preferred: Active Registered Professional Engineer (PE) license in South Carolina or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Deep knowledge of mechanical and plumbing codes, standards, and guidelines.
  • Proficiency in CAD/BIM software and mechanical system analysis tools.

Responsibilities

  • Lead in-house mechanical engineering design efforts for HVAC, hydronic, steam, and plumbing projects.
  • Serve as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) representative for mechanical engineering matters.
  • Perform technical management and engineering reviews of campus utility plants and energy systems.
  • Coordinate mechanical design with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure compatibility and efficiency.
  • Conduct site investigations to refine project scopes based on existing conditions and collaboration with staff.

Benefits

  • 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
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo

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

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


Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213706

About University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina (USC) is a public research university located in Columbia, South Carolina. It was founded in 1801 and is the flagship institution of the University of South Carolina System. USC offers more than 350 programs of study, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university is known for its strong programs in business, law, medicine, engineering, and education. USC is also home to the South Carolina Honors College, which offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum to top students. The university has a diverse student body and is committed to providing access to higher education for all.
Learn more about University of South Carolina
Size
12,000 employees
Industry

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