Real Estate Site Developer - Master Planner

Real Estate Site Developer - Master Planner

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary:

The Real Estate Site Developer - Master Planner is located in a home region or area and covers client needs as a field owner’s representative. They have the ability to travel and relocate as necessary to meet client and Salas O’ Brien company needs related to a variety of client needs.

Responsibilities:

Owner’s Representation & Advisory

• Serve as a trusted extension of the Owner’s team, providing objective, technically grounded guidance during early project planning and development
• Advocate for client business goals, operational requirements, and capital investment strategies throughout all phases of site evaluation and planning

Master Planning Leadership

• Lead development of industrial site and campus master plans, incorporating future expansion, phasing, and infrastructure scalability
• Translate manufacturing processes, material flow, and logistics requirements into efficient and buildable site strategies
• Identify site constraints and opportunities related to zoning, land use, access, utilities, and adjacent uses
• Project and Program Management, Owner’s representation to 3rd party: agencies, contractors, vendors, suppliers, firms, and partners

Site Selection & Due Diligence

• Plan and manage site selection efforts, including development of evaluation criteria, site screening, and comparative analysis
• Assess candidate sites based on manufacturing needs, including utility capacity, transportation access, labor availability, and regulatory environment
• Oversee due diligence activities such as environmental assessments, geotechnical investigations, and land-use compatibility reviews
• Support engagement with economic development entities, including evaluation of incentives and site readiness

Utility Infrastructure Strategy

• Evaluate availability, capacity, reliability, and redundancy of key utility systems (electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, telecom)
• Engage directly with utility providers to define service requirements, interconnection strategies, upgrade needs, and delivery timelines
• Develop conceptual utility infrastructure plans aligned with facility demands and long-term expansion goals
• Identify utility-related risks and constraints, recommending mitigation approaches and alternative strategies

Permitting Strategy & AHJ Coordination

• Lead development of permitting roadmaps and regulatory strategies aligned with project scope, schedule, and jurisdictional requirements
• Identify all required permits and approvals (zoning, environmental, site development, utilities, building, etc.) early in the planning process
• Coordinate and engage proactively with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to confirm expectations, timelines, and approval pathways
• Assess jurisdictional constraints including zoning limitations, development standards, environmental regulations, and utility governance
• Facilitate pre-application meetings and regulatory workshops to de-risk approvals and align stakeholders
• Monitor permitting risks and critical path items, advising clients on strategies to maintain schedule and avoid delays

Technical Coordination & Integration

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and planning teams to integrate civil, environmental, and infrastructure considerations into early decision-making
• Ensure alignment between master planning assumptions and downstream engineering and design criteria
• Risk Identification & Decision Support
• Identify and evaluate key risks related to site conditions, infrastructure, permitting, and constructability
• Develop clear, data-driven analyses and recommendations to enable informed client decision-making

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate coordination among client teams, design consultants, utility providers, contractors, and regulatory agencies
• Lead workshops, planning sessions, and executive presentations to align stakeholders and drive decisions
• Project Strategy & Implementation Support
• Support development of project execution strategies, including site development sequencing, permitting approaches, and infrastructure implementation
• Provide continuity from planning through early design phases to ensure alignment with initial project objectives

Travel and relocate to client sites for extended assignments

• Travel and be on site as projects require
• 40+ hours per week

Flexible and adaptable to various field roles

• Master Planning, Project Management, Construction Management, Coordination, Oversight, Monitoring, Scheduling, and Reporting
• Field Engineering: Work with contractors and owner to implement field projects, designs, plans, and change orders

Collaboration & Communication

• Work independently but able to coordinate with the client team, engineering team, and other 3rd parties
• Excellent relationship building skills in working with contractors, suppliers, field teams, and various owner agents
• Leadership, collaboration, and coordination skills
• Microsoft Office and related software, and ability to learn new software as assignments require
• Represent client as owner’s agent with contractors, suppliers, and 3rd parties
• Provide Quality Control in the interest of the client’s projects

Qualifications and Experience:

• 10 years relevant work experience including 5 years of field experience
• Able to learn, adapt, and be open / flexible to client and company needs, training, and mentoring
• Able to be flexible to client needs and flexible compensation based upon the nature of the assignment
• Experience in greenfield project planning and coordination with resources:
  • Engineering – all disciplines
  • Architect
  • Local government agencies
  • Private and Public Utilities
  • Surveyors
  • Geotechnical
  • Construction Contractors
  • Other related agencies, resources, and contractors
  • Equipment Vendors

• OTHER PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors Degree (Engineering, Construction, or related field)
• Field Construction, Project Management, or related experience
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, energy, or data centers
• Knowledge in safety or related fields
• Design experience

• Physical and Ergonomic Requirements (may vary per client facility):
  • Lifting/carrying: Carrying light loads related to field measurement equipment, equipment cases weighing 15 lbs. or less.
  • Dexterity: Ability to type using a keyboard with relative efficiency, ability to make handwritten notes and sketches indoors and outdoors at industrial plant and construction sites at any time of the year.
  • Walking/Climbing: Ability to use multi-level stair towers and rung ladders unassisted. Ability to crawl in to areas if necessary.
  • Visual Acuity: Ability to discern single line and 3-dimensional computer images representing objects being designed or drafted.
  • Hearing: Ability to hear safety alarms and signals while wearing hearing protection.
  • Physical exertion: Ability to walk up to one mile on industrial plant and construction sites outdoors at any time of the year. Ability to work in protective clothing which may elevate body temperatures by several degrees Fahrenheit for periods of up to 15 minutes without a break.
  • Breathing: Ability to work while wearing a respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus if required on a project.

Location: Remote and by client location

Travel: Dependent upon client need, up to 100% within North America, with occasional international travel if required by the project

Compensation & Benefits:

The expected base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $165,000 USD per year with additional compensation factors based upon the nature of the assignment. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, location, and assignment parameters.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.