Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineers apply engineering techniques to ensure proper mechanical system operation of engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment; analyze and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports; confer with engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions and provide technical information; research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, and other data to evaluate design or application feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements; specify system component or direct product modification ensuring engineering design and performance specification conformance; investigate equipment failure, diagnose faulty operation, and make recommendations to maintenance crew; conduct research to produce design solutions, improvements, and new products.

• Apply engineering techniques to design, install, modify, analyze, repair, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment; ensure proper mechanical system operation
• Lead, plan, coordinate and or facilitate diagnostic efforts to resolve complex issues; analyze and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports; collaborate with team, client facility managers, operators, engineers, and others
• Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, and other data; evaluate design or application feasibility, costs, and maintenance requirements
• Specify system component or direct product modification ensuring engineering design and performance specification conformance
• Oversee and review project requirements; assess mechanical design efforts; direct/review designer and engineer technical work
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations; ensure design and equipment specification conformance; ensure operational and safety standard compliance; identify and resolve issues
• Conduct research to produce design solutions, improvements, and new products
• Participate in writing, selecting, and reviewing contract proposals for building commissioning/maintenance contracts
• Create and issue design documents, information requests, and change orders
• Maintain continued relationships with client agencies
• May train contract clients through workshops, short courses, on-site training, and certificate programs within field of expertise
• May deliver on-site training and programs for conferences, seminars, and in-service events as requested by clients

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $109,300.00
• MidPoint – $136,600.00
• Maximum – $164,000.00