Senior Facilities Mechanical Engineer

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

This position provides primarily technical Engineering support to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) while also serving as backup to the Fred Hutchinson Engineering SCCA Program Manager. The position is in the Fred Hutch Engineering Department and the incumbent reports to the Fred Hutch Engineering Staff Engineer.

The main responsibilities of the Senior Mechanical Engineer is to protect SCCA’s investment in its clinical space (both owned and leased) by maintaining facilities engineering design integrity and making improvements and energy enhancements where possible. The Sr. Mechanical Engineer provides technical engineering support to facilities operations, facilities alterations, and new capital development projects at all SCCA locations. This person will report to the Fred Hutch Facilities Engineering SCCA Program Manager and works with the Facilities Engineering Department to serve the Engineering needs of the Engineering operations and maintenance staff, Facilities Planning, Environmental Health and Safety, Construction Administration, and others in providing an effective Clinical environment in support of the SCCA mission. The Sr. Mechanical Engineer evaluates physical plant aspects of facilities alterations and new facilities construction and is responsible for Energy Management at the SCCA.

Additionally, this position will be the primary backup for the Engineering SCCA Program Manager. In this role, they will back up the SCCA Program Manager in their absence serving as the primary interface between the SCCA and the Fred Hutch Facilities Engineering Department.

The SCCA currently has 250,000 sq ft of Clinical Space on the Fred Hutch Campus in South Lake Union with another 250,000 square feet under design. Additionally it owns 33,000 square feet of office space on the Fred Hutch Campus and leases space in various locations around the Sound including Kirkland, Seattle, Issaquah and Poulsbo.

Facilities Operations:

The Sr. Mechanical Engineer supports the Facilities Engineering Department in operating and maintaining SCCA facilities. Physical plant systems include steam and hot water boilers, specialized laboratory utility systems, air handling systems, chillers and chilled water system, HVAC, power transformation and distribution, emergency generator, and building automation controls. This role will:

• Develop procedures to operate and maintain critical utilities distribution systems.
• Analyze systems operation and make recommendations for improvement. Work with Operating Engineers to establish and document effective operating procedures.
• Assist and advise Operating Engineers in troubleshooting systems operational problems. Conduct special investigations, tests, and other studies to improve efficiency and reliability of equipment and systems.
• Review and analyze equipment maintenance procedures and help establish Operating Engineer training.
• Support preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance programs. Review procedures. Analyze equipment histories and downtime records. Inspect equipment and develop renewal and replacement program.
• Investigate Indoor Air Quality complaints when HVAC design or air balancing are in question.
• Implement an energy measuring and reporting system and make recommendations for energy usage reduction.
• Coordinate with public utilities for optimum reliability and cost of service.
• Maintain drawing and document control and facilities standard specifications.
• Manage physical plant improvement projects.
• Develop engineering specifications for equipment repair, replacement, or modifications.
• Prepare spare parts and critical spares justification analysis.
• Keep current on code requirements and modern engineering techniques to support operations and maintenance programs.
• Review capital equipment purchase requisitions for compatibility with building systems.
• Assist in facilities disaster planning.
• Assist with field commissioning tests and inspections. Write or assist in writing commissioning procedures.
• Lead and assist Operating Engineers and/or outside consultants in air balancing of laboratories and other facilities.
• Support major service contracts. Develop specifications and inspect work.
• Support periodic major maintenance and overhaul of equipment including boilers and chillers.
• Support Engineering budget planning and control.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Facilities Engineering
• In the Absence of the SCCA Program Manager the incumbent will serve in his stead as the primary liaison between SCCA Facilities and the Fred Hutchinson Facilities Engineering Department

 

Alterations Support:

(Facilities alterations usually involve complex HVAC and building automation controls modifications.)

• Assist Facilities Planning in project development and budgeting.
• Review physical plant aspects of alteration projects. Develop specifications and work with consulting engineers and contractors as required by project scope.
• Prepare engineering bid packages as necessary.
• Review Submittals
• Inspect installation.
• Lead start-up and commissioning efforts.

 

Capital Development Support:

The Sr. Mechanical Engineer will represent the Engineering department in reviewing new facilities engineering design for constructability, maintainability and conformance to DOH regulations and will review all submittals.  Also, the incumbent will:

• Assist with new construction inspection and component testing.
• Actively participate in start-up and commissioning activities.
• Provide training of Operations Engineers in the operation of the new facilities.
• Develop operations manuals for use by the Department.
• Provide feedback to the design team on operational problems in existing facilities.
• Manage capital projects in progress.

 

Energy Conservation and Management

The Sr. Mechanical Engineer will also be the Lead for Energy Management and Conservation at the SCCA this will include:

• Develops Energy strategies for the SCCA
• Monitors Energy Consumption targeting unexpected usage
• Develops Energy Conservation projects and obtains the appropriate permits and rebates
• Ensures SCCA meets the Energy requirements of the City of Seattle including Energy Star reporting, Building tune up and the Sub Alteration requirements of the Clinic Expansion

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is required unless advanced skills and experience can be demonstrated as equivalent to education requirement.
• Four or more years of increasing responsibilities at the professional level in HVAC, Controls and Plumbing engineering design with knowledge of maintenance and operations for large bio-medical research or hospital facilities is required.
• Emphasis will be in the areas of Clinic/Hospital/Laboratory design, construction and operation.
• Design and field experience in HVAC, boilers, and DDC automated building control systems and experience in electrical distribution systems operation and maintenance is required.
• Project management experience in mechanical, electrical, and piping projects is preferred.
• Current Washington State Professional Engineering license is desirable.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at escmail@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.