Digital Engineering & VDC Systems Lead
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $5.8 billion in revenue for 2023, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.
The Digital Engineering & VDC Systems Lead serves as the technical authority for Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), Autodesk Plant 3D administration, BIM coordination, and digital project delivery across Clayco Design & Engineering projects. This role bridges process engineering, design, construction, and technology by developing, maintaining, and supporting digital workflows that improve project execution from conceptual design through construction and turnover.
The position requires advanced knowledge of Autodesk Plant 3D, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, Autodesk Forma, and BIM/VDC workflows. The successful candidate will support project teams, maintain enterprise design standards, administer Plant 3D environments, lead model coordination efforts, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance project quality, efficiency, and collaboration.
Digital Engineering & VDC Leadership
- Serve as a technical resource for project teams regarding BIM, VDC, Plant 3D, and digital construction workflows.
- Champion innovative uses of technology to improve project execution, communication, visualization, and coordination.
- Develop and maintain digital engineering standards, procedures, templates, and best practices.
- Support the creation and maintenance of standardized content, libraries, and workflows.
- Bridge the gap between intelligent models and construction documentation to improve project delivery quality.
- Facilitate coordination between engineering, design, construction, and field teams.
Plant 3D Administration & System Management
- Create, configure, and manage Autodesk Plant 3D projects within Autodesk Forma.
- Administer Plant 3D project settings, properties, catalogs, specifications, templates, and support files.
- Develop and maintain piping specifications, component catalogs, and corporate drafting standards.
- Manage Plant 3D databases and ensure integrity of project information.
- Develop custom reports, workflows, productivity tools, and automation solutions.
- Support integration between Plant 3D, Revit, Navisworks, and other project delivery platforms.
- Coordinate software installations, updates, patches, and system maintenance.
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting for Plant 3D and related Autodesk applications.
BIM Coordination & Model Management
- Lead federated model coordination activities and clash detection processes.
- Manage model updates, revisions, and as-built documentation.
- Conduct model reviews and generate coordination reports for project teams.
- Support multidisciplinary coordination between process, mechanical, structural, architectural, and MEP disciplines.
- Ensure maintenance and quality of project models and associated data.
- Support project information management standards and model governance processes.
Construction Technology & Field Support
- Support project teams during design and construction coordination activities.
- Assist with implementation of field technology solutions and digital workflows.
- Support field verification, issue tracking, QA/QC processes, and digital turnover deliverables.
- Assist with construction logistics planning, coordination efforts, and schedule integration.
- Participate in 4D planning and construction sequencing activities utilizing BIM models.
- Generate visualizations, simulations, and virtual reality content to support stakeholder engagement and project planning.
Training & Continuous Improvement
- Provide technical mentoring and training to engineers, designers, drafters, and project personnel.
- Develop and deliver training programs related to Plant 3D, BIM, VDC, and digital engineering workflows.
- Participate in development of company standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Stay current on emerging technologies, software advancements, and industry best practices.
- Support implementation of new digital tools and workflows across the organization.
Requirements
Education
- Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Design Technology, or related technical discipline.
- Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience
- 5+ years of experience in process plant design, BIM/VDC, or digital engineering environments.
- Demonstrated experience administering Autodesk Plant 3D in a multi-project environment.
- Experience supporting engineering, design, and construction teams on industrial or manufacturing projects.
- Experience with BIM coordination, model management, and construction technology workflows.
- Experience with large-scale industrial, manufacturing, life sciences, food & beverage, chemical, or advanced manufacturing projects preferred.
Technical Skills
Advanced proficiency with:
- Autodesk Forma (Formally ACC Autodesk Construction Cloud)
- Autodesk Plant 3D
- Autodesk Plant 3D Smart PID
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Navisworks
- Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred experience with:
- SQL Server
- Synchro, Bexel, or 4D Scheduling Platforms
- Reality Capture Technologies
- Pype, PMWeb, ProCore or similar construction technology platforms
Knowledge & Competencies
- Strong understanding of process plant design and engineering documentation.
- Ability to read and interpret PFDs, P&IDs, General Arrangements, Isometrics, and construction documents.
- Familiarity with ASME, API, MSS, and applicable industry standards.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively train, mentor, and support technical staff.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple disciplines.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for technology and innovation
Some Things You Should Know
- Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
- This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing.
Why Clayco?
- 2024 Best Places to Work – Crain's Chicago Business, St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2024 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
- 2024 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2024 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 5).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an