Plant Optimization Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Title: Plant Engineering Technician I

Department: Plant Engineering

We are seeking a highly skilled and versatile HVAC Technician with strong cross-functional experience in electrical and plumbing systems. This role is responsible for the overall maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of campus building infrastructure. The ideal candidate will be primarily focused on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, but must be fully capable of diagnosing and resolving commercial plumbing and electrical issues to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for students, staff, and faculty.

Qualifications:

For consideration, candidates must have the following

Education & Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Completion of an HVAC trade school program, apprenticeship, or equivalent on-the-job training.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification is preferred.
• Valid state driver's license with a clean driving record.

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in commercial HVAC maintenance and repair.
• Proven, hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing commercial plumbing and electrical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Familiarity with digital work order systems and Building Automation Systems.
• Strong communication skills and a customer-service mindset when interacting with building occupants.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

HVAC Systems:

• Install, diagnose, maintain, and repair commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on RTUs, AHUs, chilled water pumps, cooling towers, and boilers.
• Monitor and adjust Building Management Systems (BMS) / Building Automation Systems (BAS) to ensure optimal climate control and energy efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and replace pneumatic and electronic controls, actuators, and thermostats.
• Manage refrigerant tracking and recovery in compliance with EPA regulations.

Electrical & Plumbing Support:

• Electrical: Troubleshoot and repair minor commercial electrical issues, including replacing breakers, fuses, switches, relays, and outlets. Maintain and repair interior/exterior lighting systems and fixtures.
• Plumbing: Diagnose and repair leaks, unclog drains, and replace commercial plumbing fixtures (toilets, urinals, sinks, shower heads). Perform maintenance on domestic water heaters and booster pumps.
• Safely use multimeters, voltage testers, and other diagnostic tools to trace electrical shorts or faults within mechanical equipment.

General Operations & Administration:

• Receive, update, and close out daily work orders using the campus facility management software.
• Maintain accurate daily logs of work performed, time spent, and materials used.
• Identify and request necessary replacement parts and materials needed for repairs.
• Respond to emergency maintenance calls during regular hours and participate in the after-hours on-call rotation as needed.
• Coordinate seamlessly with outside vendors, contractors, and other facility staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Working Environment Physical Demands:

Exposure: "Normal" working conditions for this position include frequent exposure to moving

mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed

to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals

(refrigerants/cleaning solvents), and outside weather conditions.

• Noise Level: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be loud when working near mechanical plant equipment (chillers/boilers).
• Standards: All work must be performed in strict accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards.
• Protocols: The employee is required to utilize appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, hazard communication, and confined space entry guidelines.
• Physical Requirements (ADA Compliance): The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential

functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility: Must be able to traverse the campus, climb ladders/stairs, balance, stoop, kneel,

crouch, or crawl to access equipment in tight spaces (e.g., attics, basements, crawl spaces).

• Lifting: Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally move

heavier equipment with mechanical assistance.

• Dexterity: Requires the manual dexterity to operate hand tools, power tools, and computer keyboards for BAS adjustments.

Expectations:

The incumbent is expected to have or possess: (Expectations are behaviors that should be exhibited in is essential in being successful in this position), examples below:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff, student body, alumni and community with individual differences, life experiences and unique capabilities.
• Model behavior of excellence through actions that support the university's operating principles and mission.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures established by St. Edward's University.

For detailed information, please scroll to the bottom of the page to download the job description.

The University offers an excellent TOTAL REWARDS package!

Medical & Rx Coverage (HSA Available)

Dental

Vision

Flexible Spending Accounts

Short Term Disability (STD) Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Pet Insurance

Annual Leave & Paid Sick Leave

Retirement Plan – (TIAA) Employee 5%/Employer Match 7%

Tuition Benefits

Paid Holidays

Services & Discounts

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit an online application at; https://stedwards.applicantpro.com. Please include resume, cover letter, and three employment references. No Calls Please. Applications will not be considered if it is missing any of these three items

MISSION INTEGRATION STATEMENT:

St. Edward's was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, from which it acquired distinguishing characteristics that include the courage to take risks, an international perspective and the commitment to provide educational opportunities for students of varied cultural, religious, educational and economic backgrounds. In support of the mission, the different backgrounds of St. Edward's students, faculty and staff enrich our community and represent a significant part of our culture and commitment to excellence. We value the individual differences, life experiences, unique capabilities and innovative talent that our employees and students contribute to our vibrant academic environment. St. Edward's honors and respects all members of its community by fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that respects the dignity and worth of each person and stresses the obligation of all people to pursue a more just world.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

St. Edward's University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

ABOUT ST. EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1885 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward's University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution of more than 4,600 diverse students located in Austin, Texas. St. Edward's emphasizes critical thinking and ethical practices, as well as small classes, personalized learning and exciting internship opportunities. The community atmosphere extends to the approximately 800 faculty and staff who work together to make the university a welcoming yet challenging environment for students. An overview of St. Edward's University employee benefits is available at; https://www.stedwards.edu/human-resources/benefits-summary

Sponsorship:

We are not offering sponsorship at this time.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check is required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Reference #: J2026025

Available: Immediately