Project Engineer I, Sustainability

MAAS Companies•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

LACCD is undertaking a significant initiative to reduce energy consumption across its nine college campuses, involving upgrades to lighting, central plants, solar installations, battery and microgrid systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, building controls, and the transition from gas to electric equipment. The Sustainability Team oversees these projects, and this role provides essential engineering support to keep them on track. The Project Engineer will work under the Sustainability Team Lead, assisting project managers through all project phases: planning, design, procurement, construction, performance testing, and closeout. Key responsibilities include addressing contractor inquiries, conducting site inspections to ensure work aligns with plans and state requirements, and managing project documentation for payment and closure. This position is ideal for an individual with a few years of construction experience seeking to transition from a contractor role to an owner-side position focused on energy projects. Prior sustainability experience is not required, but strong organizational skills, a reliable on-site presence, and meticulous record-keeping are essential.

Requirements

3 years of experience in a similar role performing project or construction management on commercial, public, or educational buildings, with project values exceeding $15 million.
A bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, business, construction management, or a related field.
Comfort working on an active construction site.
A habit of meticulous record-keeping and documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Familiarity with the DSA design and construction approval process.
Experience in energy or sustainability projects such as lighting upgrades, solar installations, building controls, central plants, electric vehicle charging, or commissioning.
Experience working on community college or K-12 campus projects.

Responsibilities

Provide technical and engineering support to project managers and the sustainability team throughout all project phases.
Support the District's energy-related initiatives, including efficiency upgrades, electrification, renewable power, and carbon reduction efforts.
Collaborate with project managers, architects, engineers, contractors, and District staff to resolve technical issues and respond to contractor questions promptly and accurately.
Maintain and distribute updated project plans and specifications to the appropriate parties.
Verify that contractors are maintaining current record drawings prior to the release of monthly payments.
Conduct site visits to inspect work against project plans, College standards, and Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements.
Document project progress through daily reports, photographs, and detailed notes.
Log and track change order proposals, field orders, and approved change orders.
Log and review submittals against project plans and specifications, and assist in reviewing invoices.
Manage project files and record drawings, and take minutes at project meetings.