Project Engineer

About SAIC

For more than 150 years the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAICs undergraduate graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the worldas seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner David Sedaris Elizabeth Murray Richard Hunt Georgia OKeeffe Cynthia Rowley Nick Cave and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The Department of Instructional Resources and Facilities Management consists of five divisions: Campus Security Media and Instructional Resources Facilities Engineering and Construction Facilities Services and Instructional Fabrication. Our primary responsibilities include ensuring campus safety and security managing facility operations and overseeing key academic resources including Media Centers Instructional Shops and specialized academic facilities. We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the built environment of the campus. Collectively these functions create a cohesive team focused on the effective planning operation and delivery of essential support services within our specialized educational institution. The Department employs approximately 100 full-time staff 110 contracted staff and 300 student employees. We serve a 1.3 million-square-foot campus across nine buildings.

Position Summary

The Project Engineer supports the planning coordination and execution of construction and facilities projects from initial planning through completion. Working closely with Project Managers architects engineers contractors and campus stakeholders the Project Engineer helps ensure that projects are delivered safely on schedule within budget and in accordance with institutional standards. The position is responsible for day-to-day project coordination documentation cost tracking schedule management submittals RFIs change orders inspections quality control and closeout activities. The Project Engineer will manage smaller projects independently and provide technical and administrative support on larger capital projects

Responsibilities

• Supports Project Managers in planning and executing construction renovation infrastructure and facility projects across campus and manage smaller capital projects independently from pre-construction through contract closeout under the supervision of the Executive Director.
• Monitors project schedules tracks progress identifies potential delays and coordinates resolutions to minimize impacts on operations including coordinating site access utility shutdowns building inspections and material deliveries.
• Reviews construction drawings specifications contractor submissions and shop drawings to verify compliance with institutional engineering standards and assists with the interpretation of construction drawings and technical specifications for project team members and contractors.
• Manages and tracks technical project documentation including Requests for Information (RFIs) submittals Architects Supplemental Instructions (ASIs) change orders and punch lists.
• Participates in site observations and field inspections to monitor workmanship quality and ensure alignment with contract documents.
• Manages annual building envelope reporting programs covering campus facades roofs structural vaults and architectural ironwork; analyze engineering inspection data to identify structural vulnerabilities and draft recommendations for future maintenance projects.

• Organizes detailed contract documentation and scope packages for specialized envelope remediation contractors with leadership support.
• Assists with the development maintenance and forecasting of comprehensive project budgets; track commitments invoices allowances contingencies and change orders; and review contractor payment applications and supporting documentation to verify completed work against expenditures.
• Supports procurement activities including bidding scope reviews and contractor selection.
• Serves as a technical liaison between project managers internal academic stakeholders operations teams and external engineering consultants; communicate disruptions shutdowns and schedule changes to affected departments.
• Promotes safe construction practices and enforce compliance with building codes regulations and campus safety requirements partnering with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and security teams when projects involve hazardous materials specialized equipment or unusual construction conditions.
• Maintains organized complete and auditable records within the institutions project and document management systems; prepare regular project status reports; and oversee project closeout including the collection of contracts insurance certificates permits meeting minutes official correspondence warranties operation and maintenance manuals as-built drawings and final inspection certificates.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in construction management engineering architecture facilities management or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• One to three years of experience in construction project engineering facilities architecture engineering or a related field. Relevant internship or co-op experience may be considered.
• Experience working with construction drawings specifications schedules budgets and contracts.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills including the ability to organize work establish priorities track progress and follow projects through completion.
• Ability to interpret architectural engineering and construction documents and understand building systems and construction practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with contractors consultants staff faculty and administrators.
• Ability to identify problems early and work collaboratively to develop practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate project documentation budgets schedules and records.
• Accountability for assigned responsibilities and the ability to follow through on commitments.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and with external project partners.
• Sound judgment and the ability to understand when issues can be resolved independently and when they require escalation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel) Google Workspace or similar productivity tools and the ability to manage multiple projects priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience with institutional higher-education commercial or complex renovation projects and experience working in occupied buildings and environments with ongoing operations are preferred.
• Experience with Procore or other construction management project management or Facility Management systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of building systems including HVAC electrical plumbing fire protection and building envelope systems is preferred.
• Experience with estimating scheduling change orders and construction administration and familiarity with applicable building codes accessibility requirements and construction regulations are preferred.
• LEED OSHA PMP CCM EIT or other relevant certification is preferred

Physical Requirements

The position requires regular movement between office and active construction environments. The employee may be required to access mechanical rooms construction areas rooftops basements and other areas of campus that may involve uneven surfaces noise dust temperature variations and other construction-related conditions

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range:$70000 - $85698 annually.
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Exempt
• Employment Category: Full time
• Grade Level:8

If you are accessing this listing from a third party not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/ for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Union

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the Department of Human Resources at .

Required Experience:

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