Mechanical Operations Engineer - Utilities

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.  BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country. Our organization fully supports service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life and pledge’s our commitment to actively hire veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Military personnel who have been formally trained or have relevant experience obtained while in service may meet educational requirements and are encouraged to apply for job opportunities at BSA.

Organization Overview

The Facilities & Operations (F&O) Directorate’s mission is to support the science and technology and environmental restoration missions of the Laboratory by providing a safe, environmentally sound, and reliable infrastructure, to provide high quality crafts and fabrication services to our customers as needed and to protect people, property, and national security.

The Energy & Utilities (EU) Division operates and maintains BNL's:

• Electric Transmission & Distribution System
• Central Steam Facility
• Central Chilled Water Facility
• Potable Water Treatment Facility
• Wastewater Treatment Facility
• Site Fire Alarm Detection Systems
• Building Electrical Systems
• Site Energy Management Control System (EMCS)
• Energy Procurement
• Energy Metering Systems

These operation and maintenance activities are performed in a manner to ensure they are always safe, reliable, efficient, green and mission ready. The EU Division oversees BNL's energy management programs including sustainability, conservation and obtaining economical electric power and fuel supplies for BNL.

Position Description

The Energy & Utilities Division (EU), within the Facilities and Operations Directorate, has an opportunity to fill the position of Mechanical Engineer which is anchored at building 749 and reports directly to Energy & Utilities Energy Manager.  The Mechanical Engineer will provide design engineering and operations support to the entire utilities division.  The ideal candidate will be familiar with the AE design process and the maintenance and operations of large-scale facilities and centralized and distributed utility systems, including but not limited to knowledge of central chilled water plants, central steam plants, and high-pressure steam/condensate distribution and return systems.  Solid time management skills and the ability to organize, prioritize, and perform multiple projects and tasks with a high level of proficiency; acute attention to detail is required. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under minimum supervision the Mechanical Engineer will assist with the engineering, design, and troubleshooting the reliable, safe, and efficient operations, including upgrades of all plant mechanical equipment and systems within the Central Steam Facility, Steam Distribution System, and Central Chilled Water Facility.
• Contributes to Utility Master Planning efforts, leverages the complete Utility Master Plan to prioritize initiatives, drive project implementation, and advance the objectives of the Energy and Utilities Division.
• Develops and maintains a ready-to-execute queue of mechanical improvement projects, including design documents, specifications, and contract bid packages, pending funding availability. Maintains as-built drawings for proper configuration management.
• Provides engineering support during construction, startup, and commissioning phases, including field inspections, review of change requests, and support of outage planning.
• Evaluates plant equipment operations, issues, and life-cycle status to support management and plant supervisors in planning and implementing operational improvements.
• Supports long-term asset management strategies, including condition assessments, remaining useful life evaluations, and capital replacement planning for utility infrastructure.
• Coordinates with controls engineers to integrate mechanical systems into the site Energy Management and Control System (EMCS), including review of sequences of operation, control points, and alarm strategies.
• Estimates materials, costs, and staffing requirements for projects.
• May supervise service, and maintenance contractors to ensure that work is performed in accordance with contract specifications.
• Approves invoices for payment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field of study from an accredited University or College.
• A minimum of 7 years’ progressively responsible experience in the design or commissioning of central chilled water facilities, central steam facilities, and steam distribution systems.
• Must have understanding of heat loss/gain calculations, equipment selection, piping design, and pump design.
• Must have a strong understanding of at least one of the following areas of plant utility operations and maintenance:
  • Chillers, cooling towers, thermal energy storage tanks, air compressors.
  • High-pressure steam boilers, deaerators, boiler feedwater pumps.
  • Steam distribution: pressure regulating valves, steam manholes, and steam expansion loop design.
• Design of hydronic pumping systems.
• Design of underground utility systems.
• Proficient in design calculation software.
• Preparation of calculations, reports, specifications, and presentations.
• Review of shop drawings and submittals.
• Must be knowledgeable in the Building Codes of NYS and ASHRAE standards.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to respond to a complex set of circumstances.
• Must have working knowledge of computers and software applications i.e., Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to read and interpret underground utility drawings, P&I drawings, architectural, and mechanical drawings.
• Understanding of and ability to oversee commissioning activities.
• Must be able to use AutoCAD to produce design drawings and sketches.
• Excellent teamwork and communications skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and verbally communicate in English.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field of study.
• Minimum of ten (10) years progressively responsible design and/or commissioning of central chilled water facilities, central steam facilities, and steam distribution systems
• Trane CenTraVac centrifugal water-cooled chillers.
• Kobelco/Scales oil-free and reciprocating air compressors.
• Various types of refrigerants, handling methods, and monitoring systems.
• Water tube steam boiler design and operations.
• High- pressure steam distribution systems.
• ASHRAE 15-2016 – Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems.
• Licensed Professional Engineer or Engineer-in-Training status in New York State.

Environmental, Safety, and Health, Considerations:

• Standing, bending, and lifting, up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders and work at heights up to 20 feet.
• Use of personal protective equipment.
• Work outdoors/cold environments or indoors/hot environments.
• Domestic travel may be required on occasion for training purposes.
• Use of private car may be required at certain times.

Other:

• This is an onsite position located at BNL.

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $113050 - $190883 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id.  This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act.  Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. 

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.  *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file