FRIB Project Controls Engineer III

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose: 

The Project Controls Engineer III defines, develops, implements, and maintains project controls (primarily cost and schedule) for large technical government-sponsored projects.

Major Position Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement effective solutions to cost engineering and planning/scheduling problems and provide cost engineering/planning and scheduling guidance to project and sub-projects.
• Perform work according to an established schedule database for the Earned Value Management System (EVMS), provide monthly earned value progress reports, and analyze schedule performance (including schedule variances) to develop remediation strategies.
• Provide technical team leadership for Project Controls Engineer levels I and II over earned value certification and master schedule development and serve as Project controls technical expert.
• Facilitate and direct the development of a cost estimating database; analyze and review cost/budget expenditures, implement cost control processes; report on cost status for management reporting and earned value tracking; and prepare formal budget requests.
• Facilitate and direct bottom-up Estimate-to-Complete (ETC) exercises.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Project Controls Expertise – knowledge and understanding of the regulatory and legal framework (including but not limited to federal, state, local, and MSU policies, processes, and regulations) and methodology of Project Controls, and sound judgment regarding their implementation to contribute to organizational performance and success.
  • Proficiency with COBRA, Primavera P6 software, or other project controls system used for earned value management and project tracking, including custom reporting, data management, and analysis.
  • Possess advanced competence in Microsoft applications, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and working knowledge of Outlook and SharePoint.

• Thorough understanding of the project lifecycle and the operational needs necessary to support through various stages.

• • In-depth knowledge and proven experience in Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) in compliance with ANSI 748, with a proven ability to manage, interpret, and integrate performance data into strategic decision-making processes.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical details to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Technical aptitude to quickly learn and update complex, custom project management software tools with minimal training.
• Business Acumen – the ability to create, establish, and disseminate strategies, analyses, and information to significantly contribute to the organization.
• Communication – the ability to effectively articulate and exchange information with stakeholders at all internal and external levels to align Project Controls activities and organizational performance.
• Service Focus – the ability to identify and meet appropriate client expectations by offering high-quality services and solutions tailored to diverse client and stakeholder needs and expectations and to seek continuous feedback from client and stakeholder groups.
• Analytical Skills – the ability to create, develop, analyze, and promulgate the financial, managerial, technical, and/or technological implications of project controls actions or changes at an individual, departmental, or organizational level.
• Management and Leadership—the ability to ensure that the organization