Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Energy, Utilities & Sustainability, the Principal Energy Engineer provides campus leadership related to the optimization, planning, design and commissioning of energy systems, including the campus central heating and cooling plant and two satellite heating plants. The incumbent will manage the DEEP Energy Fund, a green revolving fund, designed to drive cost-effective investments in building HVAC and lighting systems.  

The incumbent will develop and manage a small trade shop focused on energy optimization of building heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) and lighting systems, and will serve as the campus lead on all Building Automation System expansion efforts, including managing vendor relationships.

Department Summary

Facilities Management and Development (FMD), a unit within the Administration and Finance Division (A&F), is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and repair of university facilities, grounds, and infrastructure. FMD consists of four critical and interdependent support departments, including Customer & Business Services; Facilities Planning & Capital Projects; Facilities Operations; and Energy, Utilities & Sustainability. In support of the Cal Poly mission, the Facilities Management and Development department is committed to sustainability, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and promoting an inclusive culture that values individual and organizational integrity, civility, equity, and diversity.

Key Qualifications

• In close coordination with the Director of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, manage the newly established multi-million-dollar DEEP Energy Fund, including the planning, prioritization, execution and annual accounting of key energy efficiency projects on campus.
• Serve as the campus lead and administrator of campus building automation system (Siemens and otherwise) including managing support contracts, key upgrades and driving key investments to fully leverage these systems.
• In close coordination with the Director of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, lead long-range planning efforts for the retrofit, and/or replacement of the main campus heating and cooling central plant and two satellite heating plants to optimize carbon reductions in alignment with campus goals.
• Oversee campus building commissioning (new construction and retro-commissioning of existing buildings) including supervision of the campus in-house commissioning agent and any contracted commissioning agents.
• Develop and manage a small trade shop focused on energy optimization and upgrades of building HVAC and lighting systems across campus. This trade shop may include Maintenance Mechanics, Building Service Engineers, Control Specialists and/or Electricians.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering or related field AND eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in design, construction, operation, commissioning and/or maintenance of mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

• LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, DEGREES, CREDENTIALS: Possession of (or ability to obtain by date of hire) a valid California Driver’s License. 

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $122,000 - $153,000 per year. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.