SENIOR ENGINEER, MECHANICAL

Code: 16893 State Competitive Range: P23 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $72,896.47 - $106,798.07/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the limited supervision of a Principal Engineer, Mechanical or other supervisory official in a State department or agency, takes the lead and performs complex field and/or office work in mechanical engineering design, inspection, and/or survey of the various types of State buildings; and/or performs complex work in mechanical engineering design and development of equipment, equipment specifications, and shop equipment of various types, or of equipment operations, methods, and preventive maintenance; and/or performs complex phases of mechanical and electrical engineering design, inspection, review of plans, and/or survey of various types of facilities; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Performs independent assignments on complex or technically difficult field and/or office engineering work.
• Reviews architectural and mechanical drawings submitted on boiler design, boiler installation, power plant design, and the water treatment for power plants and air-conditioning equipment within State buildings.
• Evaluates proposed special mechanical equipment; prepares plans, specifications, and cost estimates for special mechanical equipment.
• Develops and reviews specifications, cost estimates, and work plans for plumbing and drainage, heating and boiler installation, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, noise and vibration control, equipment design and fabrication, and sprinkler and fire protection systems for various types of State buildings.
• Reviews bid contracts.
• Reviews the design and development of equipment and shop operations methods with other Divisions or Bureaus.
• Develops and reviews the specifications, cost estimates, and work plans for designated vehicular equipment, road equipment, shop equipment, equipment modifications, and shop layout projects.
• Conducts complex mechanical engineering and related studies, surveys, inspections, and investigations.
• Gathers field data concerning the physical features of the site of proposed mechanical projects; makes complex field inspections of the condition and functioning of mechanical installations.
• Takes the lead in performing varied field and/or office engineering work involved in the measurement and determination of quantities and costs of structures and facilities, or study of utility services, rates, and safety.
• Takes the lead in reviewing submissions of equipment and machinery designs for compliance with applicable standards.
• Takes the lead in performing field inspections of equipment and machinery for compliance with approved plans and specifications.
• Performs complex physical and chemical tests in the field and laboratory of all types of materials and products used in the construction and maintenance of highways and public transportation facilities.
• Prepares and interprets computer data related to individual engineering projects.
• Develops in-house engineering-oriented programming.
• Utilizes computer applications in engineering problem-solving.
• Assists in developing and preparing the Equipment Additions and Replacement Schedule for the Equipment Bureau budget.
• Confers with architects, contractors, mechanical and electrical engineers, and other persons submitting blueprints and plans of proposed new construction or renovation work; reviews such plans from a functional and mechanical point of view, and recommends approval or disapproval of the proposed work.
• Inspects completed construction and renovation to ensure compliance with Department regulations and recommends final approval or disapproval.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative mechanical engineering and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Prepares detailed correspondence.
• Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering work.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle rather than employee mobility is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, procedures, techniques, and applications of mechanical engineering.
• Knowledge of the preparation and specifications of projects, plans, designs, and calculations for heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning, and fire protection systems for various types of State buildings.
• Knowledge of equipment design and stress analysis for all types of equipment.
• Knowledge of engineering mathematics, including applied trigonometry and calculus.
• Knowledge of boiler design and installation, and water treatment for such installations.
• Knowledge of the construction, operation, and maintenance of mechanical, heating, electrical, hydraulic, gas, and refrigeration machinery and other equipment.
• Knowledge of the methods used to prepare detailed specifications for mechanical engineering projects, including the calculation of stress, heat losses, costs of materials required, and other basic calculations.
• Knowledge of the principles involved in calculations for vehicular equipment, road equipment, shop equipment, equipment modification, and shop layout systems found in the Bureau of Equipment fleet or shops.
• Knowledge of the mechanical engineering problems likely to be encountered in the maintenance of large-scale equipment.
• Knowledge of the capabilities and application of computers in mechanical engineering situations and projects.
• Ability to conduct engineering studies and prepare work plans for plumbing, ventilation, heating, air-conditioning, and fire protection systems, including calculation of quantities, layout of soil, waste, vent and water lines, and calculation of cost estimates.
• Ability to work effectively with architects, engineers, and manufacturers to coordinate engineering designs.
• Ability to organize preliminary engineering studies and work plans for equipment research and specifications, shop operation methods including calculation of quantities of equipment required, layout of hydraulic systems, air lines, truck loading layout, replacement cycles, and vehicle lighting, and calculation of cost estimates.
• Ability to inspect new equipment on delivery to determine compliance with specifications.
• Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
• Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
• Ability to collect and analyze engineering data for computer processing, and to read and interpret the results.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative mechanical engineering and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all of the duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General may be substituted for the above education requirement. Applicants must submit proof of the EIT certification and the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam results. The area of discipline indicated on the FE exam results must be in Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical and Computers.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) meets the above education requirement.

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's License issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Possession of a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience.