Lead Engineer/Project Manager

MPR Associates, Inc.; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MPR Associates, Inc. in Alexandria, VA seeks a Lead Engineer/Project Manager to apply engineering expertise and lead project teams. This full-time position involves analyzing complex issues, managing project scope, schedule, and budget while collaborating with multi-disciplinary engineering teams. Ideal candidates will have a four-year technical degree, relevant experience in project management, and strong communication skills. The role may require travel of 10-20% for project assignments, including client interactions and meetings.

Qualifications

• At least four years of relevant experience in engineering roles.
• Experience managing technical projects across disciplines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, execution, and delivery.
• Apply engineering principles to solve complex problems.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships.

Skills

Technical problem solving

Project management

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Minimum of a four-year technical degree

FE and/or Professional Engineer's license

Navy Nuclear Power Training

Tools

Design and analysis tools

Job description

Overview

As a Lead Engineer/Project Manager at MPR, you will serve as both an engineer and project leader, applying engineering expertise to solve complex challenges while managing project scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships. Consulting means no two projects are the same: different clients, different challenges, different problems to solve. It's the kind of breadth that keeps the work engaging and your skills continuously growing.

MPR solves complex problems across power generation, federal services, and life sciences by applying engineering first principles and leveraging a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on problem-solving rather than repetitive, “turn-the-crank” work. In this context, engineers at MPR engage in diverse and challenging projects involving aspects of design, analysis, specification, test, modification, and failure investigation of industrial systems and equipment.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute their technical abilities to project teams immediately and leverage their leadership experience.

Duties/Responsibilities

Typical duties for the role will vary based on project and workload at MPR, but will likely include an array of the following:

• Apply engineering first principles to analyze and solve complex technical problems across power generation, federal services, and life sciences sectors
• Perform root cause analysis and develop technical solutions for equipment failures and system performance issues
• Review and approve engineering calculations, drawings, and technical reports
• Develop innovative approaches to non-routine engineering challenges
• Lead project planning, execution, and delivery from initiation through closeout
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and resource allocation
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, civil, and other engineering disciplines
• Serve as primary client interface for technical and project-related communications
• Identify and mitigate project risks; elevate issues requiring senior management attention
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Participate in proposal development and technical scope definition

Qualifications

Competitive candidates will have most of the following:

Education

• Minimum of a four (4) year technical degree is required. Candidates within one year of graduation may also be considered if currently engaged in full-time employment.
• S. Navy Nuclear Power Training is a plus
• Fundamental of Engineering (FE) and/or Professional Engineer's license is preferred but is not required

Technical Experience

At least four (4) years of relevant experience including, but not limited to:

• Contributing technical role in projects covering specification, design, or evaluation of mechanical, civil/structural, I&C, and/or electrical systems and components
• Management of technical projects
• Use of design and analysis tools for systems and/or components (e.g., pumps, heat exchangers, motors, and valves or experience with equivalent military equipment)
• Developing technical solutions to challenging engineering problems
• A three-to-five-year tour of operational U.S. Navy Nuclear experience is considered equivalent.

Leadership & Communication Skills

• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize work to meet commitments
• Aptitude and desire to work outside of your engineering discipline(s) and quickly learn new concepts
• Strong analytical skills with fundamental understanding of the underlying first principles of engineering
• Ability to multi-task across teams of engineers and managers on various projects
• Motivated to expand skills and knowledge, as well as tackle new problems and take on new responsibilities
• Ability to manage change and take active leadership in timely decision making
• Ability to lead and motivate people and encourage teamwork
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and senior management
• Ability to work collaboratively across functional teams
• Solution oriented with a goal of enabling our client’s success
• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Persistent, questioning attitude and the ability to accept that in other

Required

• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Locations: Alexandria VA (HQ), East Lyme CT, Burlington MA, or Salt Lake City UT

Position Type: Full-time, exempt

Travel: 10-20% as required by project assignments, including client sites, test facilities, regulatory meetings, and visits between MPR offices

Work Environment: Collaborative and technically rigorous—you'll lead multiple concurrent projects across different reactor technologies, mentor engineers across technical domains, and continuously expand your expertise while maintaining independence from vendor-specific approaches

MPR Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, who participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other classification as required by applicable laws. MPR is a certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer.