Facilities Interface Engineer

SUMMARYDI exists to relieve the world of mediocre experiences and to create remarkable ones. Our people make the remarkable possible through an unwavering display of uncommon commitment each day.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager and VP Director of Engineering, the Facilities Interface Engineer is an integral part of DI’s Engineering department. The Facilities Interface Engineer (FID) is the point of accountability for how a project’s exhibit design interfaces with the host building. The FID sits between DI’s design teams (Sketch Up, Rhino, Adobe Illustrator) and engineering team (Solid Works), and the outside parties who own the building — the Architect of Record, the Structural Engineer of Record (SEOR), the General Contractor, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Today, design and engineering coordinate on the exhibit itself but do not typically own direct facility-interface coordination with the architect or GC; this role closes that gap, supporting assigned lead engineers and project managers and, on heavily integrated projects, taking on direct communication with the AOR, GC, and SEOR.The FID builds and maintains a shared coordination model (CAD/BIM/Speckle) that becomes the common reference point for early design coordination with the architect and, later, for construction coordination with the general contractor.

The role starts as a pilot within the Cultural Practice, with the intent to expand to other practices if it proves out.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS may include but are not limited to:

Facility Interface & Coordination Serve as the primary point of contact for facility-interface questions on assigned projects, supporting the assigned Lead Engineer and Project Manager in coordination rather than replacing their ownership of the project.

Direct communication with the Architect of Record, General Contractor, and SEOR is determined case by case; the FID can take on this role directly on heavily integrated projects.

Translate design intent from Sketch Up/Rhino concept and schematic work, and from Solid Works production drawings, into a format usable for cross-party facility coordination.

Clash Detection Create and manage the Speckle interface connecting design, engineering, and the architect’s model.

Review the shared model to identify overlaps or conflicts between exhibit elements and the building’s structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems before fabrication or installation begins.

Resolve identified conflicts in the model rather than in the field, reducing rework, change orders, and contractor claims tied to late-discovered conflicts.

Create drawings of facility interface requirements such as blocking, footings, and overhead anchoring.

Coordinate power and data needs with design, engineering, and the tech team, and communicate those needs to the facility.

Structural Scope Triage Review design elements against DI’s structural triage criteria to flag which items are likely exempt from engineering and which likely require a stamped PE/SE calculation package (gravity/live loads, seismic bracing, or wind loads, depending on the venue and jurisdiction).Scope and initiate the engineering package for items that require it and route those items to DI’s engineering team or an outside PE/SE as appropriate.

Transmit load information to the facility’s Structural Engineer of Record (SEOR) to confirm the host building can accept the added loads.

This role does not replace a licensed PE/SE. It determines what needs a stamp and manages that process; it does not stamp calculations itself.

Review attached methods to the facility (anchors, fasteners, mounting details) to ensure they are properly specified for the required use case.

Permitting & RFI Management…