Independent Contractor Researcher Jobs in Minnesota

Estimated Starting Salary Range: USD $115,000.00/Yr. - USD $191,650.00/Yr. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. 

Seeking an experienced Project Engineer for Facilities & Infrastructure to provide oversight of the design, construction, and integration of all conventional utility and building systems for a new hypersonic wind tunnel campus.

The Department of War (DoW) Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) plays a critical role in ensuring our warfighters have a decisive edge.  TRMC ensures that the DoW components have the appropriate test and evaluation (T&E) infrastructure required to develop and field military systems. Scientific Research Corporation supports TRMC with contractor Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support staff to advise and support expeditious delivery of necessary test infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will be an industrial and commercial facility design-build and construction subject matter expert with strong collaboration and communication skills, personal accountability, and a desire to work as part of a collaborative team. This role is a critical part of the government's oversight team, serving as the Owner's Representative and trusted technical advisor for a cutting-edge hypersonic T&E infrastructure project. You will be responsible for the government-side oversight of all campus buildings and support infrastructure (MEP/central utilities, office space, maintenance shops, etc.).

Under the oversight of the Program Manager and Chief Engineer and in coordination with each Test Facility Lead Engineer, the candidate will:

• Technical Oversight and Contractor Accountability
  • Serving as the Owners Representative and primary technical advisor to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), overseeing the design-build prime contractor's design and execution of the campus buildings and support infrastructure (MEP/central utilities, office space, maintenance shops, etc.) supporting new hypersonic test equipment
  • Leveraging knowledge and experience with industrial and commercial facility design-build construction to identify, manage, track, and communicate technical, cost, and schedule risks, anticipating constructability challenges and supply chain disruptions before they impact the critical path
  • Driving contractor accountability by rigorously tracking deliverables, managing action items to closure, evaluating performance, and ensuring strict compliance with government standards and the federal acquisition lifecycle
• Technical Design and Execution Evaluation and Project Management
  • Conducting detailed reviews of contractor-developed architectural, civil, structural, and MEP designs, ensuring compliance with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) for secure and classified facilities and local building codes in Rosemount, MN
  • Representing the government program office while attending contractor-chaired Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings, Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), technical design reviews, and milestone reviews applying subject matter expertise to provide insights on facility design and constructability and communicate government questions and concerns to the contractor
  • Driving the resolution of contractor Requests for Information (RFIs) and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) by providing timely technical recommendations
  • Translating complex project data into decision-ready insights; preparing monthly status reports, financial and schedule analysis, technical summaries, and executive briefings to support government action and decisions
  • Performing on-site construction surveillance, walk-downs, and safety audits to monitor construction progress, quality control, and adherence to rigorous safety standards
  • Contributing to programmatic planning by developing Statements of Work (SOW), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and facility requirement documentation
  • Collaborating seamlessly within a highly matrixed team of mechanical, electrical, aerothermal, controls and instrumentation, and systems engineers, program management, program controls, physical security, and cybersecurity professionals

#LI-##1

• Bachelor's degree in civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related discipline
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in engineering large-scale industrial, military (MILCON), federal, or research facility construction projects
• At least 3 years of experience functioning in a government oversight (SETA) role, Owner's Representative, or similar consultative capacity
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive multidisciplinary design reviews, resolve complex technical issues, and oversee project phases from initial design through closeout
• Deep understanding of complex MEP systems, high-capacity utility distribution, and design standards (e.g., UFC, GSA, NASA)
• Experience with Minnesota state building codes and standards
• Proven tactical project management skills with a demonstrated ability to drive contractor accountability, manage action plans, and maintain project momentum
• Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to translate complex engineering data into decision-ready briefings for government and contractor stakeholders
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office 365 suite of software
• Must possess an active SECRET security clearance

• Master's degree in engineering or architecture.
• One or more of the following certifications:
• Experience managing complex MEP designs including high-temperature or high-pressure systems, specialized environmental controls, and/or high-voltage power in advanced R&D or industrial testing facilities
• Experience with design and construction of aerospace test and evaluation infrastructure
• Familiarity with the design and construction of secure and classified facilities (e.g., SCIFs/SAPFs)
• Familiarity with DoW weapon acquisition programs and their T&E needs
• Proficiency with scheduling software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6) and familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, or other BIM software

SRC IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AS WELL AS, A U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITY CLEARANCE AT THE SECRET LEVEL

• Travel approximately 20% of the year (~ 10 non-consecutive weeks) for meetings, project updates, and strategic planning

Scientific Research Corporation is an advanced information technology and engineering company that provides innovative products and services to government and private industry, as well as independent institutions. At the core of our capabilities is a seasoned team of highly skilled engineers and scientists with multidisciplinary backgrounds. This team is challenged daily to provide cutting edge technology solutions to our clients.

SRC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with a company match, life insurance, vacation and sick paid time off accruals with amounts increasing based on role and years of service, 11 paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and a work environment that encourages excellence and more. For positions requiring a security clearance, selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Scientific Research Corporation is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law.

Scientific Research Corporation endeavors to make www.scires.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact jobs@scires.com for assistance. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.