Job Title: Owner's Side Engineering Lead for Construction Phase Location: Alajuela, Costa Rica Reports To: Director of Engineering Department: Engineering Employment Type: Full-time, Temporary (Construction Phase)
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Owner’s Side Engineering System Owner to join the team for the construction phase of a large-scale medical technology facility. This role will focus on overseeing and ensuring the successful execution of all engineering systems in alignment with the owner's requirements, regulatory standards, and the unique needs of a healthcare facility. The Engineering System Owner will collaborate closely with contractors, design teams, and the project management team to ensure that systems are installed, tested, and commissioned on schedule and meet the highest quality and safety standards.
Key Responsibilities:
• System Management & Oversight: Lead the coordination and management of all engineering systems being installed during the construction phase, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, medical gas systems, and any specialized medical technology systems. Collaborate with the project team to define detailed technical specifications and system requirements.
• Owner's Requirements & Specifications: Ensure all systems are installed according to the owner’s technical specifications, performance standards, and manufacturing facility requirements. Collaborate with the design team to resolve any discrepancies or challenges that arise during construction.
• Coordination with Construction Team: Act as the key liaison between the Business, Owner Construction project team, AE Team, and suppliers involved in the project. Monitor the progress of engineering systems installation and ensure all contractors are following the project’s technical requirements.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Conduct regular site inspections and reviews to verify that engineering systems are being installed to meet the required safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Ensure compliance with local codes, healthcare-specific regulations (e.g., NFPA, OSHA, JCAHO), and medical facility requirements.
• Risk Management & Issue Resolution: Proactively identify any potential technical or scheduling risks associated with the engineering systems and propose solutions. Resolve any engineering or systems-related issues that arise during construction in a timely manner.
• System Integration & Coordination: Oversee the integration of engineering systems with the facility’s overall design, ensuring compatibility with manufacturing equipment and IT infrastructure. This includes
coordinating with IT and Business equipment teams to ensure systems support the operation of critical technologies.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed records of engineering system installations, issues, changes, inspections, and testing. Ensure all required documentation is provided to the owner upon system completion and handover.
• System Testing & Commissioning: Oversee the testing and commissioning process for all engineering systems. Ensure that systems are fully functional, meet design specifications, and are ready for occupancy. Facilitate owner acceptance testing to ensure all systems operate as intended before handover.
• Training & Handover Preparation: Coordinate with training teams to ensure that all technical systems are fully understood by the end-users (hospital facilities, maintenance teams, etc.). Ensure that the owner’s staff is trained on the operation and maintenance of all installed systems.
• Safety & Environmental Oversight: Ensure adherence to safety standards throughout the construction phase, especially related to the installation and operation of complex medical and building systems. Promote a culture of safety on-site and conduct safety reviews specific to engineering systems.
• Post-Occupancy Support (Potential Scope): Provide post-construction support to ensure that systems operate as intended. Oversee the resolution of any operational issues that arise after project completion, ensuring long-term system performance.
Qualifications:
• Education:
o Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or related field).
o Additional certifications or training in Life Science Facility Design, Construction Management, or Project Management (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Experience:
o Minimum 10-15 years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a similar role overseeing engineering systems during the construction phase of large-scale life sciences technology projects.
o Strong experience in system integration, commissioning, and testing facility infrastructure.
o In-depth understanding of facility infrastructure, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, medical gases, and specialized life science systems.
o Experience managing contractors, vendors, and suppliers in a complex construction environment.
• Technical Skills:
o Strong knowledge of life science-specific building systems and compliance regulations (e.g., NFPA, JCAHO, ISO 13485).
o Familiarity with design software (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.) and project management software (MS Project, Procore, etc.) is preferred.
o Technical proficiency in integrating equipment technologies with building systems (e.g., IT systems, gas, life safety systems).
• Soft Skills:
o Strong leadership and communication skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams, contractors, and stakeholders.
o Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities to manage challenges and find timely solutions.
o Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
o Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Working Conditions:
• Location: On-site at the construction project location.
• Schedule: Standard construction hours with occasional overtime or weekend work depending on project needs.
• Physical Requirements: Occasional site visits may require walking through construction areas, climbing stairs, or working in confined spaces. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided and required on-site.