WORK FOR AN AWARD-WINNING NON-PROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Job Title: Colombia Lead Structural Engineer
Industry: Non-profit/International Development
Function: Design, Management and Oversight of Technical Staff
Job Location: Bogota, Colombia, with some travel within Colombia and potentially other Latin American and Caribbean countries
Start Date: Immediate
Term: Full-time
Salary: Competitive

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2004, Build Change is an innovative international non‐profit social enterprise whose mission is to save lives in earthquakes and hurricanes. We do that by designing disaster-resistant houses and schools; training homeowners, builders, engineers and government officials to build them; working with governments to develop and implement building standards; partnering with the private sector to improve building materials quality and create jobs; and facilitating access to incentive-based capital for reconstruction and retrofitting by partnering with financing institutions and government subsidy programs.

Build Change is the recipient of multiple awards, including a 2017 Skoll Foundation Award for Social Entrepreneurship, OpenIDEO Urban Resilience Challenge Winner, and was a top three finalist in IBM’s inaugural Call for Code Developer Challenge in 2018.

To learn more about us and our programs in Indonesia, Colombia, Philippines, and the Caribbean, visit www.buildchange.org.

YOUR NEW OPPORTUNITY
For the position of Lead Structural Engineer, Build Change is seeking an exceptionally competent structural engineer with experience assessing, designing and providing structural observation to earthquake- and hurricane-resistant buildings. The successful candidate will have a flexible mindset in applying engineering principles to non-engineered buildings and will be able to provide expert advice, technical work, engineering oversight and guidance to the technical team and for Build Change’s disaster prevention programs strategic development and advocacy focused on the improvement of existing vulnerable housing in Colombia.

This position reports to the Colombia Country Program Manager and receives technical direction from the global Director of Engineering.

Responsibilities

General

• Develop thorough, comprehensive understanding of the structural engineering design resources developed by Build Change for confined masonry, reinforced masonry, multi-story reinforced concrete frame, timber frame, and retrofitting solutions.

• Be willing and confident to apply engineering judgment in the absence of code-based guidance.

• Prepare, lead and oversee experimental testing programs performed in conjunction with partners and universities in support resource development.

• Provide technical guidance and oversight to the technical team in Colombia.

• Contribute to internal and external project reporting and proposal writing.

• Provide support to other regional programs and projects as requested by the Director of Engineering.

Internal-facing

• Provide quality oversight on design and implementation, and mentorship to the technical team, including engineers, architects, and drafters, for the Colombia office.

• Oversee and lead the revision and the development of existing and new technical resources, such as manuals and guidelines, as well as new structural and architectural calculations and drawings, bills of quantity, construction checklists, and training materials as necessary for partners and clients.

• Ensure technologies and solutions are consistent with Build Change’s philosophy of disaster resistance, sustainability, and cultural appropriateness.

• Solve problems and generate solutions in the field for special cases, especially for retrofits and additions to existing buildings.

External-facing

• Assist in stakeholder management with the Colombia Country Program Manager, with particular focus on technical relationships.
• Represent Build Change with partners and advocate for improving standards for and implementation of disaster-resistant construction and user-driven programs.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

You have:

• A University degree in Civil Engineering with a minimum 8-years professional experience in structural design or related areas. Must be licensed and able to sign designs as structural engineer in Colombia.
• A Postgraduate degree in Seismic or Structural Engineering is highly desirable.
• An excellent ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical persons, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literacy, which is a must. Experience using BIM tools will be an advantage.

Your experience includes:

• Work or research experience in the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings, including masonry buildings.
• Experience working closely with partner organizations and governmental agencies.
• Experience and participation in a related professional organization will be an advantage.
• Superior organizational skills, problem solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

You would describe yourself as:

• Having no ego, drama, or pessimism; the successful candidate will be flexible, humble, patient, solution-focused and have a good sense of humor.
• Fluent in English and Spanish; proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required.

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

Then please visit www.buildchange.org/about/careers and select the link for this position. Applications will be accepted until filled and will be reviewed as received. Qualified women and citizens of Build Change’s program countries are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls please.