Facade Engineer

Company Description

Inhabit is a unique, multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are passionate about making a positive contribution to our built environment.

We are a collective of experienced architects, designers, engineers and detailers who work both independently and in partnership to form a holistic approach to the services that we offer. We believe that our respective areas of expertise can be integrated to allow seamless interdisciplinary synergy to create buildings that are more relevant to our evolving society.

We are focused on design-led engineering, providing technical and comprehensive solutions that thoughtfully and creatively consider aesthetics, engineering, cost, procurement, and sustainability driving towards a building that is sensitive and inspirational within its socio-cultural context.

Job Description

The Facade Engineer forms part of the engineering team within the global structure of the company and assumes general responsibilities that pro-actively contribute to the growth of Façade/Structural engineering capabilities and all other disciplines across the globe. 

This includes responsibility for all design, engineering, documentation, administration and compliance with project constraints undertaken for Façade and all other disciplines.

The following is an overview of responsibilities and performance standards required of the Façade Engineer:

• Major Function
• Project Operation / Management
• Customer / Client Service
• Marketing and Business Development
• Technical Quality Control
• Mentoring, Training and Personal Growth

List of Responsibilities

The Facade Engineer forms part of the engineering team within the global structure of the company and assumes general responsibilities that pro-actively contribute to the growth of Façade/Structural engineering capabilities and all other disciplines across the globe. 

This includes responsibility for all design, engineering, documentation, administration and compliance with project constraints undertaken for Façade and all other disciplines.

The following is an overview of responsibilities and performance standards required of the Façade Engineer:

• Major Function
• Project Operation / Management
• Customer / Client Service
• Marketing and Business Development
• Technical Quality Control
• Mentoring, Training and Personal Growth

Major Function

Duties include but not limited to:

• Perform design engineering for façade and build-ability consultancy, including material knowledge and installation techniques as per the relevant building codes, standards and legislative requirements
• Provide detailed engineering computations and structural façade analysis and advice for report submissions
• Develop knowledge in various façade systems e.g. Unitised Curtain Wall, Glass Wall, Window Wall, Balustrade, Skylight, Point fixed glazing, Sliding doors, Canopy, Rainscreen cladding, Secondary steel, Precast panel, GRC, GRP, Double Facade etc. to improve the most relevant solution for a given project
• Provide design sketches and reports required for schematic, design development and constructions phases of projects
• Coordinate with client consultants such as architects, structural, ESD and acoustic engineers in other practices to determine best façade design outcomes
• Responsible for attending meetings with Clients and Architects to discuss Project and Design details, contribute to discussions/design process and project time frames
• Responsible for liaising with the Detailers about updating documents as per engineering requirements
• Responsible for checking the engineering comments from the Architects on the shop drawing review package
• Review shop drawings and calculations from contractors
• Attend site/factory/mock-up test inspections and produce detailed reports
• Run projects as the main contact for the project design team and ensure project deliverables are met
• Develop strong relationships with existing clients to ensure repeat business as well as pursue new business opportunities
• Carry out research on potential facade materials and share knowledge/update technical library
• Keep up to date with engineering software new to the market that will help develop our business
• Evaluate opportunities for improved efficiencies and effectiveness in consultation with management including identifying, developing and implementing standards, systems, tools and processes to support continuous improvement within the business
• Take an active interest in the other disciplines (BMU, Lighting, Acoustics, Building Physics, Logistics etc..) in order to further develop your specialist skills

Project Operation / Management

You shall be responsible for efficient and profitable completion of all projects and tasks under your control whilst maintaining excellent technical standards and client satisfaction.

Detailed responsibilities and/or targets include:

• Cost planning and output required to meet project budgets
• Managing clients to secure work, marketing and fee proposals
• Allocation and management of time to suit programs and project budgets
• Ensure projects are completed on-time and without cost overrun
• Ensure high technical standing on the project such that client complaints do not arise

Customer / Client Service

You shall continually strengthen client loyalty and gain repeat business by providing high quality service and creative (‘Leading Edge’) solutions to clients by way of:

• Communicate with clients to establish their needs and maintain a dialogue throughout the project
• Maintain an exceptional favourable record in client response to timeliness and quality of work provided
• Continually aim for repeat business from all clients in contact with Inhabit

Marketing and Business Development

You shall actively participate in the marketing of the practice as a multi-disciplined engineering company and shall achieve agreed targets in all aspects of practice development, including:

• Prepare project proposals including, where necessary, co-ordination of inputs from other disciplines (Acoustics, Lighting, Building Physics/ESD, Logistics etc...).
• Conduct presentations of proposals for prospective clients and/or projects
• Complete project sheets for each project undertaken by and compliance with project and office QA procedures
• Maintain regular contact with existing or prospective clients for establishing potential future work
• Active participation in a broad range of client-focused functions to enhance the professional image of Inhabit

Technical Quality Control

You shall assume full responsibility for work quality undertaken and a senior Peer Review/Checking Role on projects, including:

• Identification of technically complex projects and problems that require high level input
• Provision of concept design, peer review and checking services on international projects to assist in maintaining high standards
• Taking necessary action to prevent the occurrence of design documentation and/or quality system non-conformity
• Ensure all project documentation is maintained to a level as required by Inhabits’ QA system
• Endorse and facilitate the quality management system (QMS) and the Business’s commitment to quality
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the quality management system

Mentoring, Training and Personal Growth

• Be responsible for assisting in the professional and technical development of junior staff and assisting in the technical development of Inhabit
• Grow and develop in professionalism and job effectiveness through reading Inhabits’ technical notes and contributing to the development and improvement of the technical notes on an active basis
• Participate in learning and development and share knowledge with colleagues
• Coordinate, participate and actively contribute to design workshops, where facade solutions are explored and determined.  Workshops may be with architects, suppliers and fellow professionals and with the facade industry
• Ensure that personal goals are set and targeted for personal development

Role Capability Profile

Quality and Quantity of Work:

• Assures accuracy, thoroughness and reliability of results
• Meets the workload requirements of the job
• Is proficient in technical skills required for the job
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge required to complete job responsibilities

Decisions:

• Conducts thorough analysis before making decisions
• Makes sound, logical and timely decisions

Planning & Time Management:

• Develops & implements effective action plans
• Meets deadlines as required
• Maintains performance under pressure
• Timesheet efficiency (weekly submission)

Performance Management:

• Achieves own objectives
• Delegates appropriate tasks to appropriate people
• Gives employees adequate information & authority
• Follows up progress on delegated projects
• Provides ongoing feedback and training to employees where relevant

Initiative:

• Displays initiative in the position and does not seek unnecessary clarification or instruction
• Generates and implements worthwhile, practical new ideas and methods
• Responds effectively to changing needs of the workplace

Relationships:

• Interacts appropriately with customers/clients, both internally and externally
• Displays good interpersonal skills
• Uses appropriate style to resolve conflict with people at all levels
• Acts in best interest of the organisation

Communication:

• Listens attentively, demonstrates full understanding
• Oral and written – expresses ideas effectively
• Quality of presentations
• Preparation of internal and external correspondence

Personal Attributes:

• Attitude and participation towards project, client, team
• Motivation in role
• Sense of urgency when appropriate
• Confidence in role amongst team and clients
• Desire to achieve high standards, set goals or targets
• Overall commitment to your position
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• How you apply new skills
• Team interaction
• Willingness to help others

Other Requirements

• Correctly use and maintain Personal Protective Equipment provided
• Takes reasonable care for the safety of his/her own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace
• Seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures to ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injures are reported immediately to Management
• Participate in compliance training and other environment, health and safety activities as required
• Abide by the Inhabit Code of Conduct (as amended from time to time); this is a minimum standard of behaviour that must be upheld by all employees
• In addition to the duties set out in this Position Description, you may be expected to perform such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to you by the Employer

Other relevant information

• Travel to various work locations may be required
• Your duties as set out in this Position Description may from time to time be amended, varied, modified or reassigned by the Employer in accordance with business needs

Qualifications

Bachelor of Civil Engineering or Bachelor or Structural Engineering