Senior Mechanical Engineer

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Engineering (Assistant Director), through a sustainability lens, the Senior Mechanical Engineer provides the university with mechanical engineering expertise and technical evaluation; ensures that new university building systems comply with Federal, Provincial and Municipal Laws and codes relating to design, operation, maintenance, energy efficiency, health and safety; recommends and monitors the implementation standards for mechanical equipment and systems; ensures mechanical projects adhere to the University’s Design Standard.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer provides Engineering leadership participating in annual and long-term planning, policy development and has input into financial planning and resource allocation. This is a key technical role interfacing with Facilities staff, campus departments, contractors, and regulating authorities.

In consultation with the Assistant Director, the Senior Mechanical Engineer provides leadership and has management responsibility for the Engineering interns.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Ensure the Mechanical Engineering sections of the University’s Design Standard and Construction Guidelines are current, relevant, continuously improved and applied.
• Ensure Mechanical Engineering is properly represented in the kick-off, design review, construction review, commissioning and handover stages of major construction projects.
• Review mechanical engineering designs prepared by others for equipment in university buildings.
• Provide technical expertise and instruction to assist and support the operations and maintenance unit staff.
• Participate in the creation, maintenance, and prioritization of the University’s Deferred Maintenance lists.
• Design mechanically engineered systems for new projects, renovations, and maintenance problems.
• Manage projects that require mechanical engineering expertise that are exclusively mechanical or technically unusual.
• Participate in the development and ongoing review of the Engineering and Operations unit’s strategic plan having input into long-term and annual performance targets.
• Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
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• Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assess staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigate, address and resolve employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PEO) in good standing.
• Significant (>5 years) experience designing, calculating, and analyzing building mechanical systems, reducing energy consumption, and interpreting and applying building equipment codes and standards.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of Federal, Provincial and Municipal Laws and codes relating to design, operation, maintenance, energy efficiency, health and safety, including (but not limited to) the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OH&SA), Ontario Building Code), etc.
• Leadership experience in an Engineering environment.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s licence and insurable under the university’s insurance plan.
• Satisfactory criminal record check.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Solve equipment operating problems quickly by applying technical principles with incomplete information.
• Ability to resolve differences using negotiating negotiation skills with the ability to influence others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people who have a wide range of skills, experience and responsibility inside and outside of the university community.
• Ability to think strategically and communicate long term priorities to the Engineering and Operations units.
• Ability to direct, mentor, and manage interns and more junior members of the mechanical engineering team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to see implications and provide consultative solutions and recommendations.
• Strong computer aptitude and capability to learn new applications.
• Change resilient with the ability to adapt quickly and work under pressure to handle evolving priorities on an on-going basis.
• Exceptional attention to detail with superior organizational and planning skills to manage multiple priorities and make decisions regarding competing and sensitive priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to deal with sensitive issues in a confidential and / or professional manner, demonstrating tact, diplomacy and effective judgment.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, equipment and material specifications.
• Strong communication (oral and written) and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop professional working relationships across all levels.
• Ability to lead a team of professionals to ensure deliverables are met on time and within scope.
• Ability to understand and apply financial information.
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DECISION MAKING:
• Approve/improve/reject mechanical engineering designs prepared by others.
• Certify engineering drawings illustrating designs by Facilities Engineering Services staff.
• Use personal expertise and technical / professional knowledge to provide advice and direction to other professionals.
• Identify and seek resolution to unique problems / issues, involving others when required and ensuring required background information is available.
• Select methods and equipment to satisfy interests of users and the operations and maintenance unit with a sustainability focus to ensure energy conservation.
• Decide what design criteria must be implemented to meet code requirements, regulations and standards.
• Evaluate job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluate employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assess investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities.