Senior Principal Construction Engineer at Abbott

North Chicago, Illinois, United States

Apply Now

Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Medical DevicesIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, or Construction Management; Master’s degree preferred
15+ years of experience in construction engineering, with extensive leadership in GMP environments
Recognized expert in construction management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning
Conceptual estimating skills for strategic cost planning and portfolio-level budgeting
Field construction experience in leading large-scale execution and resolving complex challenges, with advanced technical knowledge in civil, mechanical, and electrical systems
Experience and ability to plan and execute projects over $50MM
Strong experience and understanding of selecting and managing architectural/engineering firms
Strong experience and understanding of managing and procuring construction and general contractor firms
Strong understanding of the project lifecycle including planning, design execution, commissioning, and turnover
Willingness to travel 50–75% within the United States
Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight and leadership for global GMP construction programs
Define and implement construction standards, policies, and governance frameworks
Lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders across the organization
Drive innovation in construction technologies and methodologies
Represent Abbott in industry forums and regulatory engagements
Develop long-term capital planning strategies and support portfolio management
Ensure alignment with sustainability, safety, and compliance goals
Shape Abbott’s global construction strategy, aligning with enterprise-wide capital investment goals
Lead governance reviews and ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements
Influence capital allocation decisions through scenario planning and risk-based analysis
Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on construction-related matters
Advocate for Abbott’s interests and oversee Construction Manager (CM) performance
Observe site activities and verify alignment with owner’s goals
Monitor safety compliance and escalate concerns
Independently verify quality and coordinate third-party inspections
Validate schedule progress and flag risks to milestones
Ensure resources are used efficiently and per contract
Review and approve/reject changes based on impact to owner
Validate pay applications and monitor budget and contingency usage
Escalate issues and facilitate resolution between parties
Provide Abbott program updates and translate technical issues
Verify regulatory compliance and support inspections
Coordinate turnover, validate readiness, and ensure documentation
Review Bill of Materials (BOM) for completeness and alignment with owner’s scope
Review bid packages for clarity, risk, and owner alignment
Participate in bid reviews, ensure transparency, and recommend selection
Approve awards based on owner’s criteria and budget
Verify Purchase Order (PO) issuance, delivery timelines, and budget compliance

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

GMP constructionconstruction managementcapital planningproject managementstakeholder managementrisk analysissustainabilitycompliancearchitectural firms managementengineering firms managementgeneral contractor procurement

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary or compensation for the Senior Principal Construction Engineer role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this Senior Principal Construction Engineer position remote or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills and experience are required for the Senior Principal Construction Engineer role?

The role requires experience planning and executing projects over $50MM, strong experience selecting and managing architectural/engineering firms, strong experience managing and procuring construction and general contractor firms, and a strong understanding of the project lifecycle including planning, design execution, commissioning, and turnover.

What does Abbott's company culture look like for this engineering role?

Abbott fosters a global, collaborative environment with 114,000 colleagues serving people in more than 160 countries, emphasizing strategic leadership, innovation in construction technologies, alignment with sustainability, safety, and compliance goals.

What makes a strong candidate for the Senior Principal Construction Engineer position at Abbott?

Strong candidates will have proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence senior stakeholders and executive leadership, manage large-scale GMP construction projects over $50MM, and drive global construction strategy with expertise in project lifecycle and contractor management.

Abbott

Healthcare solutions in diagnostics and devices

About Abbott

Abbott Laboratories focuses on improving health through various medical technologies and health solutions. The company operates in areas such as cardiovascular health, diabetes management, diagnostic testing, nutrition, and neuromodulation for chronic pain and movement disorders. Abbott's products include advanced medical devices and diagnostic tests that help healthcare professionals and patients manage health conditions effectively. For example, their cardiovascular technologies assist in heart health management, while diabetes care products enable accurate glucose monitoring without painful fingersticks. Unlike many competitors, Abbott emphasizes accessibility and affordability in its offerings, aiming to make life-changing technologies available to a broader audience. The company's goal is to positively impact global health and well-being, supported by a commitment to sustainability and a 2030 Sustainability Plan.

Lake Bluff, IllinoisHeadquarters

1888Year Founded

IPOCompany Stage

HealthcareIndustries

10,001+Employees

Risks

Departure of key leader Dr. Adamson may affect Abbott's Heart Failure division.

Integration challenges with Medtronic could impact glucose monitor-insulin pump rollout.

Thermo Fisher's microfluidics expansion may increase competition for Abbott.

Differentiation

Abbott integrates continuous glucose monitoring with automated insulin delivery systems.

Abbott's microfluidic devices streamline diagnostic processes efficiently.

Abbott's neuromodulation products target specific nervous system areas for chronic pain relief.

Upsides

Microfluidic technology offers cost-effective solutions in diagnostics.

Strategic partnerships like Abbott-Medtronic enhance product offerings and market reach.

Significant investments indicate strong market confidence in Abbott's healthcare solutions.

Land your dream remote job 3x faster with AI

Try Jobo Free