Engineer / Planner / Project Manager – Building Services Engineering (Building Equipment) (m/f/d) - Job Opportunity at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Jülich, Germany
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 27, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 65,000 - 85,000 annually based on TVöD-Bund salary groups 10-14, with the role likely positioning in the higher range given the senior responsibilities, specialized technical requirements, and the premium associated with research facility engineering expertise in the German market.

Benefits

Comprehensive professional development opportunities with individualized training programs that position employees at the forefront of scientific infrastructure development
Premium health and wellness package including extensive sports facilities, beach volleyball courts, running groups, and yoga classes that exceed typical corporate offerings
Exceptional work-life balance with 30 vacation days, flexible working arrangements, and homeoffice options that provide superior flexibility compared to traditional engineering roles
Permanent employment security with a government-backed research institution offering stability rare in the current job market
Competitive public sector compensation structure (TVöD-Bund salary groups 10-14) with transparent progression paths
Enhanced retirement planning through employer-matched pension contributions and wealth-building benefits that provide long-term financial security
Inclusive and diverse workplace culture with dedicated diversity initiatives and comprehensive onboarding programs including Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research infrastructure supporting Europe's largest research centers

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive technical and economic planning for building services systems across new construction, renovations, and modernization projects, directly impacting the operational efficiency of cutting-edge research facilities
Manage complex project portfolios in building services engineering including HVAC, plumbing, heating, and specialized research facility systems, ensuring optimal conditions for scientific breakthroughs
Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary planning teams while managing external engineering consultants, demonstrating leadership across diverse technical stakeholders
Execute owner representative functions for major infrastructure projects, wielding significant decision-making authority in multi-million euro construction initiatives
Design and implement contracts with external planning partners and engineering specialists, managing substantial vendor relationships and project budgets
Conduct advanced technical analysis and evaluation of building services concepts from external planning partners, focusing on economic efficiency, safety protocols, and energy performance compliance
Provide strategic consultation to scientific departments on complex building requirements, serving as the critical bridge between research needs and infrastructure capabilities

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Building Services Engineering with specialization in Building Equipment

Experience

Professional experience in planning, implementation and coordination of construction projects for science, industry and medical facilities

Required Skills

Good knowledge in building equipment (plumbing, heating, ventilation technology and application-specific systems) Experience in all service phases of HOAI Legal knowledge (construction, planning, procurement and contract law) Knowledge of technical regulations and standards
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The building services engineering sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by stringent energy efficiency regulations and the push toward carbon-neutral buildings, with specialized research facility engineering commanding premium positioning due to complex requirements for laboratory environments, cleanrooms, and specialized scientific equipment integration. Digital transformation in construction through Building Information Modeling (BIM) and smart building technologies is revolutionizing how building services engineers approach project planning and lifecycle management, creating demand for professionals who can integrate traditional HVAC expertise with advanced digital tools and IoT-enabled building systems. The European Green Deal and Germany's ambitious climate targets are driving massive investment in research infrastructure modernization, particularly in energy-efficient building systems and renewable energy integration, creating sustained demand for senior-level building services engineers with expertise in sustainable design and energy performance optimization.

Role Significance

The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams including internal planners within the Planning and Construction division and managing multiple external engineering consultancies, suggesting responsibility for coordinating teams of 10-20 professionals across various projects and specializations.
This is a senior-level position evidenced by the requirement for project leadership responsibilities, coordination of external planning teams, owner representative functions, and the authority to design and implement major vendor contracts, indicating significant decision-making power and technical leadership within the organization.

Key Projects

Multi-million euro research facility construction and renovation projects requiring specialized laboratory environments, cleanrooms, and advanced scientific equipment integration Campus-wide infrastructure modernization initiatives focusing on energy efficiency, sustainability compliance, and integration of renewable energy systems Complex HVAC and building services system design projects for specialized research applications including chemical laboratories, medical research facilities, and high-tech manufacturing environments

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in building services engineering combined with strong project management capabilities and the ability to translate complex scientific requirements into practical engineering solutions that support cutting-edge research activities. Exceptional stakeholder management skills to effectively coordinate between diverse groups including research scientists, external engineering consultants, construction contractors, and regulatory authorities while maintaining project timelines and budget constraints. Comprehensive understanding of German construction law, HOAI regulations, and public procurement processes, which are critical for successfully managing projects within the government-funded research institution framework. Strategic thinking capability to balance immediate project requirements with long-term campus development goals, ensuring building services infrastructure supports both current research needs and future scientific advancement.

Market Demand

High demand driven by Germany's significant investment in research infrastructure, the specialized nature of scientific facility engineering, and the ongoing energy transition requiring advanced building services expertise.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

HOAI expertise is absolutely essential as this German planning and fee structure governs all aspects of the role from project scoping to consultant management, and mastery of these regulations directly impacts project success and professional credibility within the German construction industry. Advanced knowledge of building services systems for specialized research environments is critical because standard commercial HVAC and utilities knowledge is insufficient for the complex requirements of laboratories, cleanrooms, and scientific equipment that require precise environmental controls and specialized safety considerations. Project leadership and team coordination capabilities are fundamental to success as the role requires managing complex stakeholder relationships, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring project delivery within the constraints of public sector procurement and governance requirements.

Beneficial Skills

BIM (Building Information Modeling) proficiency and digital construction management tools knowledge would provide significant competitive advantage as the construction industry continues its digital transformation and large research institutions increasingly adopt these technologies for complex project coordination. Sustainability and energy efficiency expertise beyond basic requirements would be highly valuable given Germany's aggressive climate targets and the research sector's focus on demonstrating leadership in environmental performance through advanced building systems and renewable energy integration. Understanding of specialized research equipment requirements and their infrastructure implications would enhance effectiveness in consultating with scientific departments and ensuring building services designs properly support sophisticated research instrumentation and experimental setups.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to directly impact cutting-edge scientific research by designing and implementing building services infrastructure that enables breakthrough discoveries in fields ranging from climate science to advanced materials research
Access to one of Europe's largest and most sophisticated research campuses, providing exposure to diverse technical challenges and the latest developments in specialized building systems for scientific applications
Rare combination of technical leadership responsibilities with the job security and comprehensive benefits of public sector employment, creating an ideal career environment for senior engineering professionals
Direct collaboration with leading scientists and researchers, offering unique insights into emerging technologies and their infrastructure requirements, providing valuable market intelligence for career development

Career Growth

Career advancement to director-level positions typically occurs within 5-7 years given the senior nature of current responsibilities and the specialized expertise developed in research facility engineering.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Project Director for Campus Development overseeing multiple large-scale research facility projects and strategic infrastructure planning Head of Building Services Engineering for major research institutions or large-scale industrial facilities requiring specialized technical environments Independent consulting specialist for research facility design and complex building services engineering projects across Europe

Company Overview

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH stands as one of Europe's premier research institutions and a cornerstone member of the prestigious Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest scientific organization. With approximately 7,500 employees, the center focuses on critical societal challenges including digitalization, climate-friendly energy systems, and resource-efficient economic models, positioning it at the forefront of European scientific research and innovation.

As a government-backed research institution with substantial federal and state funding, Forschungszentrum Jülich enjoys exceptional financial stability and long-term strategic security, offering employment conditions and project scopes that are highly competitive within the German research and engineering sectors.
Located in Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia, the institution serves as a major regional employer and economic anchor in one of Germany's most industrialized states, with strong connections to the broader European research community and significant influence on national science policy and infrastructure development.
The organization emphasizes collaborative scientific excellence with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance, creating an environment where technical professionals can contribute to meaningful research while enjoying comprehensive professional development opportunities and job security that exceeds typical private sector offerings.
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