What are the responsibilities and job description for the Management Associate – Engineering & Strategic Capital Projects position at United States Steel Corporation?
The Management Associate Program is a selective, accelerated development opportunity for high-performing engineering graduates seeking to lead major capital investments within a large-scale industrial enterprise.
Our Engineering organization manages a multi-billion-dollar strategic transformation portfolio spanning safety, reliability, modernization, infrastructure, and growth initiatives. Projects range from targeted improvements under $1MM to complex investments exceeding several hundred million dollars. Management Associates work directly on initiatives that shape the company’s long-term competitiveness and operational performance.
This is a 100% on-site role embedded within operating facilities, providing hands-on exposure to engineering, construction, commissioning, and plant operations from day one.
Role Responsibilities
Our Engineering organization manages a multi-billion-dollar strategic transformation portfolio spanning safety, reliability, modernization, infrastructure, and growth initiatives. Projects range from targeted improvements under $1MM to complex investments exceeding several hundred million dollars. Management Associates work directly on initiatives that shape the company’s long-term competitiveness and operational performance.
This is a 100% on-site role embedded within operating facilities, providing hands-on exposure to engineering, construction, commissioning, and plant operations from day one.
Role Responsibilities
- Champion safety as a core leadership responsibility, ensuring projects are designed and executed with zero-injury principles and strong field presence
- Lead or support business case development and investment justification
- Drive Front-End Loading (FEL), scope definition, risk identification, and engineering design integration
- Develop capital estimates, schedules, and funding packages
- Coordinate across engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil, process, automation) to deliver fully integrated solutions
- Align operations, maintenance, reliability, finance, supply chain, and safety into cohesive execution plans
- Oversee engineering firms, OEMs, contractors, and construction teams during procurement and field execution
- Support construction oversight, commissioning, startup, and turnover to operations
- Manage project controls including budgeting, forecasting, scope, and schedule management
- We are looking for high-potential engineers who aspire to lead complex, high-impact projects early in their careers.
- A strong commitment to safety leadership and operational discipline
- Systems-level thinking across engineering disciplines and operational functions
- Exceptional analytical rigor and structured problem-solving ability
- Evidence of leadership, initiative, and sound judgment
- Executive-level written and verbal communication skills
- High ownership mentality, resilience, and accountability
- This role is designed for individuals who think systemically, lead responsibly, and seek long-term leadership responsibility within a capital-intensive enterprise.
- B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Civil Engineering, Project/Construction Management, or related fields
- Graduated within the last three years
- Less than three years of professional experience
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- High-performing participants who demonstrate strong leadership and project execution capability may advance into a Level I Project Manager role within approximately 2–3 years.