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 organizational climate and practices reflect the organizational values and mission of FRIB and MSU.
• Collaboration & Teamwork – the ability to work effectively with others.
• Continuous Learning – the ability to maintain continuous improvement at an individual, departmental, and organizational level.
• Ethical Practice – supporting and upholding the organization's values while balancing and mitigating risk.
• Critical Evaluation – the ability to create, develop, analyze, summarize, and present information to make business decisions, establish performance metrics to assess the efficacy and efficiency of Project Controls programs, processes, and training, and make recommendations at a high level of quality and implementation.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally be acquired by completing a four-year degree such as a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline and eight or more years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a project controls position; experience with project management software and Earned Value Management methods and supporting systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Primavera P6 (P6) for scheduling, project controls, and reporting.
• Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) may also be required.
• Experience working within the DOE-SC, DOD, or NSF project delivery structure is a plus.
• Experience and demonstrated proficiency in Oracle Primavera P6 and Microsoft Excel, including advanced spreadsheet functions for analysis, reporting, and data management.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Please provide a cover letter and a resume. 

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

frib.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends March 11, 2025, 11:55 PM