Natrium, Lead Construction Automation Engineer

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Project Overview:

Bechtel is the licensing, engineering, procurement, and construction partner on TerraPower’s Natrium team. Selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, Natrium is participating in a DOE initiative to re-establish U.S. leadership in nuclear energy that provides matching funding to industry to design and build an operational advanced reactor. TerraPower, a leading advanced generation technology company founded by former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, will be deploying its 345 MWe sodium fast reactor (SFR), called Natrium. The Natrium plant features an advanced, cost-competitive reactor design that is safer, simpler, easier, and less costly to construct, less expensive to operate, and able to provide energy that is competitive with fossil fuels. It also features an innovative molten salt energy storage system designed to be complementary to solar and wind power by evening out the peaks and valleys in production when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing. With the reactor and energy storage output combined, the plant can produce more than 500 MWe of power. 

Job Summary:

Assigned to the Construction organization in a Lead Construction Automation position. The role is accountable for engaging project management and subject matter experts and ensure a timely and successful deployment on projects. It is accountable for software meeting work-process requirements, identifying and implementing innovative concepts, work processes and tools to meet strategic project requirements, lower cost and reduce project duration. This position will be relocated to the project site in Kemmerer, WY during or after August 2025. #LI-CL1

Major Responsibilities:

• Implement and maintain construction automation tools in alignment with the Project Automation Plan and BSAP standards.
• Administer and support SQL and Oracle databases related to construction automation systems.
• Customize and support construction applications and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, SSRS, BookBuilder, ModelBuilder, Syncro4D, xFighter Suite) to meet project reporting and field execution requirements.
• Develop and maintain workflows, forms, templates, dashboards, and discipline-specific construction automation reports for multiple management levels.
• Prepare Software Quality Assurance (SQA) documentation including test plans, migration plans, job aids, and new release documentation prior to deployment.
• Serve as the construction automation superuser throughout Construction, Commissioning, and Turnover phases.
• Coordinate with functional automation teams and IT to support application compliance, system access, and user account setup.
• Provide application training and ongoing user support, responding to technical issues, questions, and enhancement requests.
• Monitor contractor and supplier compliance with construction automation tools and data standards.
• Manage automation output data and prepare construction performance reports, metrics, trackers, and performance curves using leading and lagging indicators.
• Support Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) by integrating construction data into field execution and turnover systems.
• Facilitate data flow through Construction Turnover into Commissioning and Startup systems.
• Lead or support implementation of innovative automation platforms to enable real-time logistics and construction program management.
• Maintain automation-related inputs within project plans, procedures, and execution strategies.
• Collect, analyze, and incorporate user feedback to drive continuous improvement of automation tools and processes.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships across integrated project teams, contractors, and third-party stakeholders.
• Produce regular status reports and dashboards to support project leadership and decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of new concepts, approaches, and solutions supporting digital construction execution and future digital supply chain systems.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and 8-10 years of relevant experience or 12-14 years of relevant work experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Must possess the right to work and remain in the US without sponsorship.
• Must be able to obtain a site security badge for access to the worksite.
• Must be physically able to conduct field inspections and participate in project walk-downs which may require the following activities: extensive walking in and around a construction site, climbing ladders, climbing scaffolding, using fall protection and other personal protective equipment (PPE), walking on elevated platforms, walking on uneven surfaces, and maneuvering around very small and/or confined spaces.
• A self-starter, highly motivated, requiring little supervision, and able to work well in a team environment.
• Experience in digital delivery of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Projects, and Management of Project Information in a digital delivery environment.
• Experience customizing the Bechtel Standard Applications such as TeamWorks, SetRoute, WITS, BookBuilder, ModelBuilder, xFighters, Construction Unifier, eTrack, Smart® Completions, BPS, Synchro 4D, and Navisworks to specific project requirements.
• Experience integrating and extracting data from automation tools for use by project stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication, planning, and organizational skills.
• Able to take on additional responsibilities, maximize efficiency, manage priorities.
• Sound knowledge base of environmental, safety and health compliance standards required on government projects.
• Able to provide clear and precise verbal and written communications with project teams to ensure automation tools "talk" across interfaces. Experience developing and customizing SQL, SSRS, and PowerBl reports and dashboards to support specific project needs.
• Strong ability to read, understand, and interpret structural/mechanical/electrical construction drawings.
• Strong understanding of change management and configuration control processes.
• Working knowledge of the Bechtel Nuclear Work Process Procedures (NWPPs) and the related Bechtel Standard Application Programs (BSAPs).
• Knowledge and experience of DOE, DOD, and/or commercial nuclear construction projects.
• Knowledge of Bechtel's "Zero Accidents" safety program.
• Recent experience working in a Bechtel Construction Automation role.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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