Careers @ MSU

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose: 

The FRIB Project Controls Engineer II works to facilitate and manage project controls at the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, including the development, maintenance, integration, and reporting of project and sub-project schedule and cost estimates while actively monitoring schedule and cost baselines and providing timely reports and analyses in accordance with requirements and generally accepted project management standards and best practices.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules using project management software such as Primavera P6 or MS Project to meet requirements and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Develop and maintain cost control processes and collect and report on cost status for management reporting and earned value tracking, and analyze and review cost/budget expenditures.
• Review and analyze schedule and cost performance for reporting to project management and earned value tracking using specialized software tools.
• Identify and develop schedule contingency, and analyze schedule variances to develop and propose remediation strategies, including critical path analysis, when encountering cost engineering and planning/scheduling problems after notifying management in a timely manner.
• Provide ongoing cost engineering/planning and scheduling guidance and report monthly status to project and sub-project managers.
• Lead regular project controls meetings to review and update performance.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Demonstrable experience and skills using Deltek Cobra Earned Value Management Software and Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio management or Microsoft Project including custom reporting and data management and analysis
• Highly advanced Microsoft Excel skills and working knowledge of Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholder groups (including senior management and external review committees)
• Ability and flexibility to manage priorities in a fast-paced project management environment while delivering high quality support in a timely manner

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree such as a bachelor's degree in a scientific or engineering discipline; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in project control positions; earned value management methods; Certification as Project Management Professional; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience using a project scheduling tool, such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6, including creation, management, and reporting of detailed project schedules.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working within the DOE-SC project delivery structure and with the National Science Foundation
• Technical aptitude to learn and update complex custom software with limited training

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Please provide a cover letter and a resume. 

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

frib.msu.edu

Bidding eligibility ends June 2, 2026, 11:55 PM