Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
As the leader of the planning and design team in the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Department, the Director of Planning, Engineering and Architecture (DPEA) reports to the Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction (PDC). The DPEA is responsible for the leadership, direction, and coordination of planning and design services for Caltech.
The Director of Planning, Engineering and Architecture is responsible for all long-range and short-term comprehensive space planning efforts for projects and for the campus. The DPEA leads the Renewal project planning and approval effort for Caltech’s future design and construction projects in support of the research and education mission in academic and administrative buildings. Campus is comprised of 4.5 million square feet on a 124-acre campus. For more information about PD&C and links to current projects, visit: https://dandc.caltech.edu/capital-projects.
The DPEA works closely with the Director of Project Management to collaborate with facilities leadership, divisional administrative leadership, and key Caltech stakeholders to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of projects that promote the success of academic and research enterprise. The DPEA will oversee the integration of planning, design, and engineering oversight during planning and within the project management process. The role involves leading a team that provides planning, design, and engineering expertise applicable to all projects, including space information management and integration across departments and projects.
The DPEA leads, mentors, trains, and guides a team of professionals in architecture, engineering, planning, space data, space management, interior design, inspection, and cost estimating.
The DPEA organizes and provides space management data and analysis and provides Caltech master plan information and integration. As such, the DPEA is a partner with and provides senior level support to the Executive Director of PDC.
This is an Essential Reporting position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.
Essential Job Duties
- Serve as a leader in project planning for PDC. Directly communicate with divisional and departmental administrative leadership, build relationships, and create a culture of trust and transparency.
- In close coordination with the Executive Director of PDC and the Director of Project Management, manage planning and design of design and construction projects and act as a main point of contact for project planning and facility modernization. The major focus of effort will be on space utilization, lab renovations for new incoming faculty, campus planning efforts, and new building projects.
- Hire, mentor, guide and lead the planning architecture and engineering team for PDC. Maintain a culture of collaboration within the PDC team, within facilities, and throughout the campus. Build the planning, architecture, and engineering team to provide excellent technical support for the project management team.
- Provide design guidance that ensures that projects meet the needs of the campus, align with institute goals, remain on budget, and in accordance with the City of Pasadena building codes and zoning ordinances, and industry best practice.
- Ensure projects are integrated in both the technical and the physical aspects of the campus, and that technical and architectural strategies align with the overall campus design goals, master plan, at building level, and at project level.
- In coordination with the PDC Executive Director, develop planning workflows and coordination tools that ensure the long-term success of the planning efforts. Develop processes and guidelines for planning integration in the lifecycle of projects, from planning to delivery. Lead the definition and communication of processes for collecting and analyzing essential planning information. Continuously find ways to improve processes. Lead the implementation of the GIS initiative within Facilities and as applicable with departments and divisions as a transparent and accessible planning resource.
- Lead the Renewal cycle process and ensure project definitions are optimized to meet the needs of the campus community, users, and research. Lead the coordination between PDC, Environmental Health and Safety, Operations, and Security within facilities to ensure project unknowns are minimized and all solutions are evaluated. Coordinate with the PDC Director of Project Management to manage workload efficiently with the available resources.
- Guide the internal planning architecture and engineering team, and consultants, in the preparation of feasibility studies. Provide the Executive Director of PDC with clear, well thought out recommendations, solutions, presentations and documentation of planning scenarios and options as needed.
- Collaborate on the bidding process with the PDC contracts manager and project management team for all architecture, engineering, construction, and other consultants. Advise on master planning, programming, and selection of A/E firms. Oversee design packages by external consultants, and design package reviews.
- Assist in the negotiation of planning and design contracts with the Office of General Counsel and Procurement Officer. Ensure maintenance of complete and accurate files suitable for audit purposes on all projects.
- Manage the technical team who supports the Project Management team in conducting comprehensive research on project needs, integrating project functions within the framework of ongoing activities within the Institute, with multiple ongoing projects.
- Lead the GIS initiative in Facilities, in collaboration with all Facilities departments and PDC, for the purpose of supporting informed planning decisions. Implement new tools such as GIS and space management software.
- Oversee the PDC Design Guidelines and standards updates and their coordination with relevant departments.
- The candidate must be able to walk and/or stand for long periods of time, push, pull, and stoop and bend to accomplish job duties throughout the day on a regular basis.
- Perform other related duties as assigned including Emergency Operation Center Support when required.
Basic Qualifications
- BA/BS degree in engineering, architecture, or other related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
- State of California licensed professional.
- Minimum ten years’ work experience in project management of new building and/or complex renovation projects.
- Strong knowledge of building codes, accessibility requirements, safety regulations, and sustainability principles.
- Institutional and Higher Education project experience or similarly complex organizations.
- Five+ years of experience managing a team of technical professionals.
- Complete OSHA 10-hour Construction Training within six months of employment and refresher training every four years.
- Excellent graphic representation and communication skills. Strong oral and written communication skills are required, as is the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and other professionals.
- AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe suite, Bluebeam, Office Suite experience.
- Educational and research laboratory project experience.
- Large and small project experience.
- Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs., walk half a mile unaided, climb ladders and stairs, and enter and leave excavations for the purpose of observing and planning work.
Required Documents
