Construction Project Engineer

Emeryville, CA, United States

About us:

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.

Founded as the world’s first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn’t have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times’ Good Tech Awards, FastCo’s Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised a total of $608 million, including from the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADG), Baillie Gifford, Bill Gates, Cargill, John Doerr, John Mackey, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Norwest, Richard Branson, Softbank, Temasek, Threshold, Tyson Foods, and others.

About this job:

The Construction Project Engineer will be responsible for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring all engineering & construction activities across the enterprise. As UPSIDE continues to develop new capabilities and locations for the manufacturing of cultivated meat, the construction engineer, in partnership with the project leader, will be a key member for the project team, and be engaged from initial design through mechanical completion & close out.

This role will be responsible for ensuring EPC, GC, subcontractors, and all trades are generating high-quality engineering designs and translating those plans into successful construction outcomes. This includes developing comprehensive project schedules, managing budgets, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and contractors. Their duty extends to ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards, conducting regular site inspections, and addressing any unforeseen challenges that may arise during the construction process. With a keen eye on project timelines and costs, you'll navigate the complexities of construction projects to deliver a high-quality, timely, and within-budget new build that aligns with the company's goals and standards.

Responsibilities include:

Engineering Coordination & Review:

Lead development of initial conceptual design. Complete conceptual project package prior to engaging with partners.

Engage with trades + A&E partners to complete Basis-of-Design for projects.

Coordinate and review ideas + completed work product from all engineering partners during FEL2 + FEL3 design.

Constructability Reviews:

Conduct thorough constructability reviews of project plans and specifications.

Identify potential challenges and provide proactive solutions to enhance project feasibility.

Project Planning and Coordination:

Develop and implement comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.

Coordinate with internal stakeholders, architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure project goals are met.

Communicate project progress, challenges, and resolutions effectively to key stakeholders.

Provide regular updates to senior management on project status and milestones.

Risk Management:

Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Proactively address issues to prevent delays and cost overruns.

Budget Management:

Prepare and manage project budgets, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.

Regularly monitor expenses and provide accurate financial reports to senior management.

Contract Negotiation and Management:

As technical lead, contribute to contract negotiations with construction vendors and suppliers by providing clear technical scope of work.

Oversee the performance of contractors and subcontractors, ensuring adherence to project specifications and timelines.

Quality Control:

Implement and enforce quality control standards to meet industry and company regulations.

Conduct regular inspections to ensure construction work meets established standards.

Safety Compliance :

Implement and enforce safety policies and procedures on the construction site.

Collaborate with the EHS team to ensure a safe working environment.

About you:

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or 8+ years of relevant experience.

Proven experience as a Construction Engineer or Construction Manager, preferably in Food Manufacturing Plants/Projects.

Strong understanding of construction estimating principles

Strong Facilities background is a huge plus.

Strong knowledge of core construction trades, materials, and safety standards.

Excellent understanding of general construction engineering principles.

Excellent project management and organizational skills.

Effective communication and leadership abilities.

Who you’ll work with:

This role will most frequently interact with our Project Management, Facilities, Procurement, Manufacturing Operations, FSQA teams, as well as our EPC Partner, General Contractor and its Subcontractors.

This role will be embedded within a Project Team focused primarily on successful construction outcomes for the enterprise.

Key Contributions in First Year:

Ensure on-time completion of all pre-construction, engineering, and construction services as required to meet project milestones, including various facility build outs and equipment installation.

Construction cost and schedule management in alignment with EPC Construction Manager

Detail plan and readiness for the next phase site build-out activities. There will be ongoing production while phased expansion is occurring in the adjacent spaces.

Develop and draft a formal construction framework & strategy for UPSIDE to ensure consistent approach and process as existing projects close out and new projects are kicked off.

Compensation Range : $104,200 - $130,200*

*Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.

UPSIDE Benefits!

Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!

90-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)

Pet insurance for your furry family members!

Unlimited PTO

DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Council and People Engagement Programs

Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.

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