Careers

OVERVIEW

Longenecker & Associates (L&A) seeks a motivated Electrical Engineer/Contract Coordinator to contribute to our mission supporting our work at Dune/LBNF for Fermilab in Lead, South Dakota.  

L&A is a woman-owned small business and trusted partner enabling critical missions across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex for more than 30 years. We contribute to DOE’s nuclear security and environmental remediation enterprise by providing the highest-caliber staff and experts.

L&A is unconditionally committed to mission success and the well-being of employees, the nation and the environment. Our team members are passionate about building a healthier environment for generations to come. We are a community that interfaces and effectively communicates with all levels of management and government. If you have a passion for excellence, seek opportunities to engage in mission critical work, and consistently exceed expectations, apply now to join our professional family.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE) Project seeks an Electrical Engineer/Contract Coordinator to assist with construction of facilities at the Far Site in Lead, South Dakota. LBNF/DUNE is a large multi-faceted project that will construct a new neutrino beam on the Fermilab site, a detector that will measure the properties of the neutrino beam as it exits the site, and very large detectors approximately 800 miles away in South Dakota, to measure how the neutrino beam may have changed in flight through the earth.  Fermilab has overall management responsibility for the project; however, other National Laboratories and collaborating universities also play important roles. 

The LBNF/DUNE Electrical Engineer/Contract Coordinator will be stationed in Lead, South Dakota at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).  The Sanford Underground research facility is a multi-disciplinary underground research facility located within a former gold mine, operated by the State of South Dakota, and hosting LBNF/DUNE as one of multiple experiments.  The LBNF/DUNE Electrical Engineer/Contract Coordinator reports to the LBNF Far Site Conventional Facilities (FSCF) BSI Project Manager.  Construction is ongoing and the primary phase for this position (infrastructure construction) is anticipated through at least January 2028.  Electrical construction includes installing ~10 MW power distribution (both temporary and permanent) at 12,470V, 480V, and 277/120V throughout a network of recently developed underground excavations located approximately 1 mile underground with shaft access.  Also included within this position’s oversite is a fire detection system and fiberoptic network

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct oversight of the construction contracts related to electrical and IT construction for which LBNF/DUNE has financial responsibility.
• Coordinate scheduling of contractor performance with other ongoing construction activities.  Actual schedule maintenance (P6) will be by a dedicated scheduler.
• Review and approve or negotiate changes to invoices/pay applications.
• Develop cost estimates for field changes for use in evaluating change requests from subcontractors.
• Have primary responsibility for coordinating all matters related to electrical infrastructure construction contract (power distribution up to 15 kV, fiberoptic communications distribution, networking infrastructure)
• Contractor has been working on site since July 2024 under a construction manager/general contractor.  This contract is being reassigned to Fermilab, resulting in this position.
• Individual is responsible to obtain a comprehensive understanding of all electrical and IT requirements, design, and construction documents for the LBNF/DUNE facilities at the SURF.
• IT expertise is provided by others at Fermilab off site, so the IT requirements for this role are understanding network systems well enough to coordinate with other experts and to oversee construction and requirements compliance.
• Coordination with Architect/Engineering firms that provided designs for the LBNF/DUNE project, LBNF/DUNE team responsible for the detector systems, as well as the SURF team and their facilities design contractors
• Assist with providing cost, schedule, and scope management of the Far-Site Conventional Facilities within the LBNF/DUNE Project, including earned value management, monthly reporting, and participation in LBNF/DUNE project reviews.
• Utilize the project’s Web-Based Project Management System to document and process RFI’s, submittals, change requests, etc.
• Compare contractually required submittals to contract and design documents and advise FSCF BSI Project Manager on acceptance or rejection for items like job hazard analysis (JHA), required tests and inspections, etc.
• This responsibility is primarily managed by an existing electrical engineer, while this role would provide backup for that engineer.
• Participate in review of shop drawings for compliance with design drawings.
• Support field inspections by others of completed work and compare to design drawings and record compliance or non-conformance.
• Coordinate field modifications as appropriate.
• Maintain document organization (drawings, invoices, contracts, QA/QC documentation, commissioning documentation, etc.) associated with Electrical and IT design.
• Coordinate project meetings and draft meeting minutes as needed in support of responsibilities.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health, and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution
• 6 years of relevant electrical construction oversight experience, or a Master’s degree with 4 years of relevant experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with power infrastructure at low and medium voltage (up to 15 kV)
• Willing to travel domestically and/or internationally as required (minimal travel anticipated)
• Able to work outside normal work hours as needed.  Position is normally scheduled for daytime M-F
• Able to work at heavy civil construction sites, at heights, and deep underground.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills  
• Must possess or be able to obtain a DOE Q-level security clearance
• Ability to work in a diverse work environment.
• Satisfactory results of a pre-employment screening, which includes a background check and drug screening in accordance with Federal requirements (details below),
• Ability to fulfill and promote L&A core values.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• US registration as a Professional Engineer. 
• Registration in South Dakota and/or reciprocity to obtain SD PE is additionally preferred
• Experience with fiberoptic network infrastructure for communications and controls systems
• Experience with industrial, large commercial, or government funded project construction
• OSHA and/or MSHA training
• QA/QC training
• Cost estimating experience

LOCATION

Work will be performed at the DUNE/LBNF facility in Lead, South Dakota.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Successful candidates will be able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation. This job posting reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and the descriptions listed do not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Please note that marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under Federal Law. Federal contractors must follow Federal drug-free workplace rules, which prohibit marijuana use, even if medical or recreational use is permitted under State Law.   

SALARY AND BENEFITS

As an L&A employee, you will be eligible for a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare (medical and dental), 401K plan, and paid time off. We believe in investing in our employees beyond compensation and as an L&A employee, you will have access to in-house training, career pathing, mentoring, award programs, tuition reimbursement and much more.

L&A is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran.