Electrical Project Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Projects & Infrastructure Modernization Division has an opening for an Electrical Project Engineer to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will support the Project Managers and Construction Managers in managing, coordinating, and administering a range of complex and competing projects from the Design completion phase through procurement, construction, commissioning, start-up, and project close-out.  You will work on issues in which analysis of various situations requires review of relevant factors, analysis, and recommendations based on scope, complexity, and operational needs. You will provide input to project managers to align projects within existing procedures, practices, and policies. You will support the Project Manager and Construction Manager with outage and construction activities scheduling. 

What You Will Do:

• Provide support to Project Managers and Construction managers for moderately complex and moderate to large-scale projects by co-leading/leading a team of Construction Managers, Project Coordinators, Facilities staff, and subcontractors as well as incorporating Environment, Health & Safety, and Quality input and direction as necessary to ensure project completion in a safe manner, within budget, schedule and in accordance with specifications and requirements.
• Coordinate project activities as part of a project team to work with Environment, Health and Safety input and oversight requirements to ensure accurate representation of the Laboratory on project matters with the Department of Energy (DOE) Berkeley Site Office, University of California Office of the President, the University of California and other external organizations to achieve customer needs. Coordinate client contacts, including regular correspondence with the clients, and maintain working relationships at all levels throughout the project. 
• Support the Project Manager in:
  • Managing and controlling contractual commitments, reviewing and approving project forecasts, schedules, cost estimates, and financial reports. 
  • Coordinating equipment access/shutdowns, obtaining permits, and developing project schedules to support subcontractor activities and minimize interference with others’ work. 
  • Leading the planning and scheduling of tasks that may involve complex preparations for streamlined and safe execution of work.
  • Reviewing and responding to contractor submittals, Requests for Information (RFIs), and change order requests.
  • Acting as a liaison as requested with LBNL clients to keep them informed of construction activity and ensure client needs are being met.
  • Ensuring that work controls are in place and that safety requirements are identified.
• Lead groups of cross functional employees and develop plans to perform project reviews and report-outs to assure that all work is being performed in accordance with the specifications, drawings, and terms of the subcontract.  
• Support development of organizational and project plans. Assist in project implementation and monitor performance to meet stakeholder requirements.  
• Collaborate with project managers to establish plans and objectives related to PIM Division activities. Attend management planning meetings as needed.  
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of potential construction and design contractors.
• Communicate with multiple stakeholders, including EH&S staff, building managers, Fire Marshal, Inspectors, and applicable Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), keeping them informed of work status and schedule.
• Perform “Simple But Needed (SBN)” inspections and entries as required.
• Responsible for planning and coordinating contractor’s development of equipment test plans. 
  • Provide peer review of equipment test plans and test plan reports. 

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Support multiple complex and large-scale projects facilities by collaborating with Project Managers, Construction Managers, Project Coordinators, Facilities staff, and subcontractors as well as incorporating Environment, Health, Safety, and Quality input and direction as necessary to ensure project completion in a safe manner, within budget, schedule and in accordance with specifications and requirements. 
• May develop long-range objectives and strategic plans for new Laboratory multidiscipline initiatives, project opportunities, and funding levels. 
• Decisions may have an impact at the lab-wide level. May be part of a team to identify potential funding agencies and obtain project funding and implement new projects.
• Support the planning and development of the project construction scope, procedure, budget and overall project schedule.  
• Support the Project Manager in Managing and controlling contractual commitments to assure that all work is being performed in accordance with the specifications, drawings and terms of the subcontract.   
• May participate in independent project reviews for projects at other DOE sites.
• Collaborate with project managers and leaders to establish strategic plans and objectives related to PIM  activities. Attend management planning meetings as needed. 

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or professional certification in Construction, Project Management or a related field or equivalent relevant experience and a minimum of 5 years in construction, operations, utility,  or large scale facilities.
• Proven experience managing control of hazardous energy, including developing or implementing Lockout/Tagout procedures and overseeing a highly structured sequence of energization/deenergization that complies with NFPA 70E and OSHA 1926 electrical safety regulations.
• Electrical systems background, with a proven technical understanding of electrical distribution, generation, and demonstrated ability to read and understand electrical single line diagrams, drawings, and specifications.
• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of technical scope and processes in Electrical Design Engineering. 
• Experience working with design consulting firms. 
• Experience in reading/interpreting design prints and specifications. 
• Significant experience troubleshooting and analyzing complex system problems and developing criteria and scopes of work that can be used to successfully restore the proper operation of a system.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups and individuals.  Excellent collaboration skills and ability to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization.  Ability to effectively interact, and communicate with a variety of project staff.  Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer-focus approach.  Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team. 
• Proven planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.  Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once. 
• Excellent proposal development, presentation, and client relationship skills. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with performing or developing plans for Electrical Operations. 
• Project execution experience within a Utility, large scale Facility, or Manufacturing Plant.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical acceptance testing, practices and procedures, and applicability to design scopes and design packages. 
• Experience in applying planning and scheduling principles to the design, planning, and scheduling of tasks or projects.
• Experience in developing and evaluating procedures, analyzing work requirements, and developing effective and collaborative solutions applying advanced technological skills and knowledge.
• Experience in Electrical Testing organization at an Electrical Utility or similar role/experience. 
• Experience developing performance tests and validating equipment test results. 
• Knowledge of Corrective and Preventative Maintenance practices of electrical equipment. 
• 8 years of experience in construction facilities, electrical operations, or other related fields.
• Detailed knowledge of applicable standards, codes methods, and practices unique to areas of expertise. 
• Working knowledge of the regulations associated with asbestos abatement (EPA & CAL OSHA).  Working knowledge of the UBC and Fire Code as related to commercial and industrial buildings.  Understanding of biological and chemical hazards.  Knowledgeable in the area of construction safety consistent with OSHA, NEC, etc. standards.  
• General understanding of major environmental mandates and regulations such as RCRA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA as well as DOE Orders pertinent to environment, health and safety protection.
• Familiar with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and applicable DOE Orders for project management, including Earned Value Management System (EVMS) concepts.
• Extensive experience developing and managing budgets and schedules, developing project scope documents, and coordinating/managing project delivery, including team assignments and technical quality. 
• Direct experience managing large outages or construction on electrical substation and distribution projects.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at Berkeley Lab. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our faculty positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."