Design & Construction Risk Engineer

Since its inception in 1966, MassHousing has supported affordable home ownership and rental housing opportunities throughout Massachusetts. The Agency has provided more than $25 billion for affordable housing in that time.  Currently, MassHousing is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Design and Construction Risk Engineer to continue the Agency’s storied history of affordable housing funding.

The Design and Construction Risk Engineer is responsible for evaluating and commenting on construction-related proposals during the preconstruction phase, as well as providing high-level oversight of multifamily projects during construction. The Design and Construction Risk Engineer is a subject matter expert in the field of Construction Management tasked with performing complex project management during loan origination and underwriting, as well as during the construction phase. The Design and Construction Risk Engineer provides input into management objectives by making decisions and rendering informed opinions on construction-related proposals. The Design and Construction Risk Engineer is responsible for performing detailed review of architectural plans and specifications, commenting on the suitability, performance, and quality of design, evaluating cost and performing independent cost estimating, and reviewing the overall project focusing on all factors that affect cost, including materials, labor, location, duration of the project and any special conditions or requirements.  The Design and Construction Risk Engineer provides technical expertise on construction contracts and any contract exhibits, reviews environmental recommendations and requirements, and is responsible for closure on the resolution of any environmental matters in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements. The Design and Construction Risk Engineer reviews the capacity of the members of the development team, reviews and provides comments on the qualifications and assumptions of proposed construction contracts and other associated documents for conformance to industry standards, and coordinates with the underwriting team throughout the underwriting process and closing. During the construction phase, the Design and Construction Risk Engineer provides high-level oversight to ensure enforcement of construction contracts and construction loan agreements by reviewing and approving requisitions for payment consistent with estimated costs and authorizing the closeout and final release at contract completion. The Design and Construction Risk Engineer is responsible for determining the acceptability of all construction-related activities, including acceptability for resolution of environmental matters (including remediation activities) in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements, identifies issues/concerns throughout project construction and facilitates timely resolution.

More specifically, the Design and Construction Risk Engineer is responsible for the following:

1. Evaluating and commenting on construction-related proposals and providing technical guidance during the loan origination and loan underwriting phases.
2. Reviews architectural plans and specifications (commenting on the suitability and quality of design), construction contracts (including technical review of qualifications and assumptions contained therein), capacity of development team and other diligence materials related to construction.
3. Evaluates cost proposals for alignment with comparable projects and accounting for special conditions that may contribute to extraordinary costs
4. Analyzes third-party engineering reports, including environmental site assessments, and coordinates administrative reviews in compliance with various statutory and regulatory requirements, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP).
5. Oversees the administration and management of construction projects; reviewing project scope, design/construction and environmental documentation, and requisition activities.
6. Periodically make inspection of projects that are in construction; participate in virtual and on-site meetings and walk-throughs as appropriate to the stage of construction.
7. Perform other duties of a similar level and nature as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of structural and mechanical systems and building components.
• Familiarity with multi-family housing preferred.
• Experience with resolving reviewing and resolving environmental matters preferred.
• The ability to communicate clearly and professionally with all levels of MHFA staff and a wide range of professionals outside of the agency is necessary.

Minimum Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or related field; and
• Five (5) years of professional experience dealing with construction project management, building analytics and/or design and engineering review; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Salary Range: $97,353 - $126,559

All positions at MassHousing require a customer service mindset, in accordance with our values: Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, Accountability and Service.

Inherent in these values is our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for all. 

MassHousing offers competitive compensation as well as an attractive benefits package.

MassHousing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.