Working/Functional Title

Mechanical Designer

Position Summary

Salary: $85,100 - $104,000 annually depending on experience.  MSU Benefits - Free comprehensive health care for you and your family as well as a 10% contribution toward your retirement; Generous sick, vacation, personal and holiday time; Eligible to work a partial remote schedule.

The Mechanical Designer works as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop mechanical plans and specifications for new construction, renovations, and equipment improvements across Michigan State University's campus. This role develops design documents, reviews field work to confirm adherence design standards, ensures code compliance, and coordinates with other trades and stakeholders to produce comprehensive designs. Other responsibilities include guiding outside consultants, supporting long?range planning efforts, and updating mechanical technical standards. The Mechanical Designer also provides technical assistance to maintenance teams and contributes discipline?specific expertise to project planning and execution. This position will provide mechanical support and apply intensive and diversified principles and practices and makes independent decisions that apply to large academic institutions. The position will use CAD, and reference ASHRAE, and SMACNA standards. The position will have to effectively communicate and coordinate mechanical engineering efforts with multiple engineering/arch disciplines and campus stakeholders.

Visual inspection of construction work as necessary, analysis, and support of maintenance operations. Duties associated with this position involves working at construction sites, access to work areas by ladder, scaffold, hatchways, ramps, and similar means; outdoor work on a variety of floor and ground surfaces including climbing and entry into confined spaces; visual inspection of construction work as essential elements of construction inspection, analysis, and support of maintenance operations functions. A successful candidate must be innovative and communicate well in a team environment and with campus stakeholders. 

The position will be on-call for emergencies on projects they are assigned outside of normal working hours. 

Further breakdown of job responsibilities is as follows: 

• 40%: Develops plans and specifications for new construction, alterations, and improvements to campus facilities and equipment. Evaluates field work to ensure alignment with design intent and communicates findings and recommendations during project execution. Engages collaboratively with project managers and other discipline experts to support coordinated project outcomes.
• 40%: Integrates discipline?specific requirements into project designs to ensure functionality, constructibility, and coordination with other trades. Identifies and incorporates innovative products or methods into project designs when appropriate. Serves in an advisory capacity by providing technical assistance to maintenance staff and other IPF departments related to campus facilities and equipment. Completes Facilities Asset Data Exchange FADE requirements and directs outside consultants to ensure compliance with asset data standards.
• 10%: Provides technical direction and oversight for outside consultants’ design work related to new construction, alterations, and improvements to campus facilities and equipment, with support from senior?level discipline experts as needed. Performs detailed plan reviews of consultant deliverables and recommends necessary revisions or enhancements prior to projects proceeding to competitive bidding.
• 10%: Reviews projects for code compliance, interprets appropriate building codes and coordinates with the other team members to insure the project design meets the applicable standards, and codes. Identifies capital renewal projects and participates in long range planning activities. Oversees and directs disciple specific studies. Updates Mechanical technical standards and details.

This position will engage in high performing, leading edge practices, valuing people, partners and stewardship.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in an appropriate field of engineering; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in the assigned field of mechanical engineering; including design, methods, materials, maintenance, and operation of appropriate systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Successful candidate must have the ability to develop and interpret project documents (prints, specifications, contracts, etc.) and applicable fire, safety, building, mechanical, electrical, and health codes; must be experienced in typical engineering software such as: CAD and/or Revit, load calculation programs, or equivalent, as well as Microsoft office suite.

Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license will be required for this position. Must drive University vehicle to perform the duties of this classification and meet the Universities rigorous safe driving standards.

Desired Qualifications

Engineer in Training (EIT) certification; Five years of mechanical design experience of building systems such as fire suppression, HVAC, plumbing and controls including cross discipline coordination. This position includes the oversight of capital projects; direct experience in all aspects of planning, design, and construction of commercial and industrial building systems; knowledge and experience developing construction specifications and maintaining their compliance and adherences; experience in construction costs and scheduling; experience in the maintenance of building systems. Experience as an owner’s representative or consultant for planning, design and construction projects in an University setting is desired. Experience using construction management software and processes is desired.  

A lifelong learner and problem solver with strong technical and communication skills, who focuses on innovative solutions aligned with University goals; ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; ability to understand different perspectives while utilizing expert knowledge of the technical operations of the job. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter.

Work Hours

May be required to be on-call for emergencies related to their projects outside of normal working hours.

Website

ipf.msu.edu

Summary of Health Risks

Duties associated with this position involves working at construction sites, access to work areas by ladder, scaffold, hatchways, ramps, and similar means; outdoor work on a variety of floor and ground surfaces including climbing and entry into confined spaces.

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends April 28, 2026, 11:55 PM

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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