Development Engineer

Job Summary

Location: Detroit, MI

This position is responsible for providing technical and other project support for either a single large project or multiple smaller projects. Duties include review of plans and specifications; answering questions related to specific aspects of a project such as scope, schedule, budget, and other requirements; monitoring and reporting of costs and project progress; and special projects as assigned. 

Key Accountabilities

• Implements EPC projects, preferably from the developer/owner’s perspective 
• Performing technical due diligence activities in support of development efforts 
• Prepares and reviews EPC specifications 
• Evaluates and negotiates competitive EPC proposals including preparation of liquidated damage calculations 
• Reviews EPC project documentation including technical specifications, calculations, and drawings to ensure protection of owner’s technical and financial position 
• Screens projects from a technical perspective to determine project viability 
• Prepares performance test procedures and evaluation of performance test results 
• Manages outside contractors and consultants 
• Power industry experience and/or fossil power background in pulp and paper, steel, or other energy intensive industry 
• Cogeneration experience with engines and gas turbines and power cycles such as Simple, Combined and Rankine 
• Performs all other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or equivalent discipline 
• 5 or more years of experience in the engineering or construction fields to include experience as a Project Engineer or Project Manager 

Other Qualifications

Preferred:

• Registered Professional Engineer
• Excellent communication skills, strong presentation skills, and able to communicate effectively with people at all levels in a teamwork-based environment
• Able to develop cost estimates, manage budgets, project costs and scheduling and maintain relationships with suppliers, contractors, equipment vendors, engineering firms, EPC contractors and DTE Vantage customers
• Working knowledge of equipment such as gas turbines, steam turbines, reciprocating engines, boilers, condensers, fans, heat exchangers, compressors, chillers, piping and valves. Understanding of electrical distribution equipment such as switchgear, transformers, and MCC’s
• Able to provide functional engineering support to projects from start to finish without a significant level of supervision
• Working knowledge of computer applications, including Word and Excel, in a Windows environment
• Energy consumption and power cycle modeling experience
• Demonstrates strong working knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures related to the engineering and construction industries
• Uses knowledge to influence and direct project outcome
• Challenges status quo in new ways to solve discipline specific problems
• Requires minimal supervision of a project manager or director
• Ability to function within a matrix organization in which functional and business leaders have equal authority within the organization and employees report to both a functional leader and a business leader
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with both a functional and business leader, who collaborates on employee issues and decisions (including performance management, compensation, and development) 

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel. Frequently, the employee is required to sit  
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use wrists, hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion; and reach with hands and arms extensively 
• Occasionally lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight 
• Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment 
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus 

The employee performs job duties primarily in a work from home capacity and periodically from a climate-controlled office environment, with a moderate noise level. However, on an occasional basis the employee may be required to travel to project sites where noise levels and environmental conditions may vary. 

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.