Electrical Engineer

Summary/Objective

Flatter, Inc. (Flatter) is seeking an Electrical Engineer to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in implementing requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). The Electrical Engineer will provide technical and administrative support to assist USDA Department- and Agency-level policy development, program implementation, and decision-making related to BABAA requirements at the program, project, and product levels.

The position will gather and analyze technical and market data; conduct market research regarding domestic product availability; evaluate waiver and non-availability requests; support informational site visits; assess manufacturers and domestic production capacity; and provide technical analyses related to infrastructure products, materials, equipment, and construction costs.

The Engineer will also assist USDA in evaluating processes and workforce requirements associated with long-term BABAA implementation and provide recommendations concerning permanent staffing, technology, and operational needs. BABAA was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, establishes domestic content requirements for iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in federally funded infrastructure projects. This position supports USDA's efforts to comply with BABAA requirements while minimizing adverse impacts on program delivery, constituent relationships, and deployment of critical infrastructure and services.

Essential Functions

• Gather and analyze technical and market data; conduct market research regarding domestic product availability; evaluate waiver and non-availability requests; support informational site visits; assess manufacturers and domestic production capacity; and provide technical analyses related to infrastructure products, materials, equipment, and construction costs.
• Provide technical engineering support to assist USDA decision-making related to implementation and compliance with BABAA requirements. 
• Provide expertise in electric power systems engineering, infrastructure construction, engineering standards, standards compliance, market research, and BABAA compliance evaluations. 
• Support utility, telecommunications, broadband, and other infrastructure projects subject to BABAA requirements. 
• Provide technical expertise concerning construction industry materials, equipment, products, manufacturing capabilities, and related technical subjects requested by USDA. 
• Apply knowledge of materials and equipment used in industries supported by USDA programs and assess manufacturers' ability to produce required materials and products domestically. 
• Conduct market research regarding manufacturers, suppliers, industry sectors, product availability, production capacity, lead times, and other factors affecting BABAA compliance. 
• Support USDA requests for technical, economic, manufacturer, supplier, and industry information related to BABAA. 
• Assist USDA in responding to technical information requests from external parties concerning BABAA compliance and compliant products. 
• Maintain an accurate and current database of product research, industry-sector research, site visits, technical inquiries, and related requests. 
• Prepare monthly summary reports documenting market research activities, site visits, technical analyses, and other assigned activities for submission to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). 
• Assist USDA with administrative and program reporting requirements. 
• Prepare a project closeout report identifying considerations for staffing, technology, processes, and other resources necessary to support USDA's continued BABAA compliance. 

Project-Level Technical Support

• Provide technical assistance supporting Government evaluation of project requests involving the non-availability of BABAA-compliant products or potentially excessive project costs resulting from BABAA requirements. 
• Evaluate infrastructure products and their availability within U.S. markets to assist USDA in determining whether compliant versions of required items are commercially available. 
• Compare project costs associated with domestically manufactured products against products of non-domestic or unknown origin. 
• Evaluate construction cost estimates and, when required, develop detailed independent construction cost estimates. 
• Prepare written reports for project-level technical support requests assigned by the COR documenting methodologies, research, analyses, findings, and steps taken to evaluate each request. 
• Maintain an up-to-date database of project-level requests and provide the database to the COR monthly. 

Product-Level Technical Support

• Provide technical support to assist USDA in assessing manufacturers' capacity to produce individual products or classes of products. 
• Evaluate new and existing products and product classes and determine their availability within U.S. markets for infrastructure construction projects based on specifications provided by USDA. 
• Identify and contact manufacturers of similar products to assess their capability to manufacture products needed for USDA-supported projects. 
• Evaluate manufacturer production capacity and anticipated lead times for delivery to project locations. 
• Review market research performed by other federal agencies, industry organizations, and other entities to determine whether domestic manufacturing capacity exists for specified products or classes of products. 
• Research whether other federal agencies have issued BABAA waivers for products or product classes under evaluation. 
• Participate in informational site visits, technical discussions, meetings, and other activities necessary to validate market and      manufacturing information. 
• Provide clear, technically sound documentation and recommendations supporting USDA decision-making. 

Competencies

• Problem Solving/Analysis 
• Engineering Analysis 
• Electric Power Systems 
• Construction and Infrastructure Knowledge 
• Technical Research and Market Analysis 
• Regulatory and Standards Compliance 
• Cost Estimating and Cost Analysis 
• Data Management and Documentation 
• Project Management 
• Technical Writing 
• Communication Proficiency 
• Stakeholder Coordination 
• Ethical Conduct 
• Time Management 
• Attention to Detail 
• Integrity and Commitment 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility unless specifically assigned by program or corporate leadership. The Engineer may provide technical guidance, coordinate activities with project stakeholders, and support multidisciplinary project teams.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office, client, project, and government environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing equipment. Work may also include visits to manufacturing facilities, infrastructure project locations, construction environments, utility facilities, or other sites necessary to conduct market research and technical evaluations.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum 3 years of experience in:
• Electric power systems design, or
• Electric power systems construction. 
• Engineer in Training (EIT) registration required/preferred qualification.

Preferred qualifications: 

• PE license is preferred. 

Security Requirements:

· U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required

· Ability to obtain and maintain NACIC background investigation