Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! There’s never just a normal week in construction… NVIDIA’s dropping $500B on manufacturing, Novartis is tossing in $23B for pharma, and the Phoenix Airport takes a $326M flight. Major executive moves, contractors using robots, and the world’s biggest wood city is being built. What a week we have here, let’s get into it!

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PROJECTS

$500B? NVIDIA Isn’t Playing Games…

On Monday it was announced that NVIDIA will be investing up to $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next four years. They are set to partner with Taiwan Semiconductor, Wistron, Foxconn and Silicon Precision Industries to construct over a million sqft of production space. Even though specific locations haven't been disclosed as of yet, the investment is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the US.

• Client: NVIDIA

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $500 Billion

• Location: United States

Northeastern University Gets a $500M Glow-Up

Northeastern University is set to build the new Alfond Center, a 245,000-square-foot learning, research, and collaboration building that will house wet labs, computational labs, research spaces, and classrooms. The Life Science facility will be home to over 800 graduate students who are currently enrolled on the Portland campus, and with the work, officials expect enrollment to grow to 3,500 within five years.

Construction of the project is being led by Consigli Construction Co., Inc. as the General Contractor and CambridgeSeven as the Architect. The project is set for completion by 2027.

• Client: Northeastern University

• General Contractors: Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

• Architects: CambridgeSeven

• Award: Life Science

• Value: $500 million (Total Project)

• Location: Portland, Maine

$326M Phoenix Expansion Takes Off

McCarthy Building Companies officially began work on a $326 million expansion at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 3 last week. The North 2 Concourse will add 173,000 sqft and six new gates. The plans include lounges, restrooms, retail space, a connector bridge, and tunnel access to Terminal 4. Once complete, the expansion will ease congestion at Terminal 3, which handles 25% of the airport’s passenger traffic.

• Client: City of Phoenix

• General Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

• Design Team: SmithGroup & Corgan

• Award: Aviation

• Value: $326 Million

• Location: Phoenix, Arizona

300MW Data Center Lands in New Jersey

Recently announced, the Amsterdam-based AI infrastructure company, Nebius Group, is constructing its first major data center in the US. Many details are still confidential, but it has been said that DataOne will be delivering the first phase of the project in the coming weeks. “This facility is as state-of-the-art as data centers come, offering unprecedented energy efficiency and a strategic location to support Nebius’ rapid global expansion”, Charles-Antoine Beyney, CEO of DataOne.

• Client: Nebius Group

• Developer: DataOne

• Sector: Data Center

• Value: TBD

• Location: Vineland, New Jersey

Novartis Unleashes $23B with US Expansion

Pharmaceutical giant Novartis has announced a $23 billion investment to expand its operations across the United States over the next five years. The investment will include the construction of 6 new manufacturing plants across the U.S, and a R&D Center in San Diego. This expansion aims to create 1,000 direct jobs and generate up to 4,000 additional roles across the broader economy. The company also plans to manufacture 100% of its U.S. drug inventory domestically.

• Client: Novartis

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

• Value: $23 Billion

• Location: Nationwide

MEET ACE ELECTRIC

Say hello to this week’s proud sponsor, Ace Electric, a specialist electrical contractor based out of Valdosta, Georgia, operating across Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee & Ohio.

​Ace is a family-owned and operated electrical contractor with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1975. Fast forward to today, they are ranked the No.1 Specialty Contractor in the Southeast.

With a 45+ year track record across commercial, industrial, and mission-critical markets, Ace isn’t just building systems, they’re building trust. With a team of over 1,200 employees, Ace continues to strive for excellence.

Their vision? To be the preferred electrical contractor and employer of choice in every community they serve.

NEWS

Balfour Beatty CEO Steps Down, 10 Years, 1 Legacy

After leading Balfour Beatty for over a decade, CEO Leo Quinn will step down in September 2025. When he started in 2015, Balfour Beatty had an average net debt of £371 million.

By 2024, it had an average net cash of £735 million. The company also returned £755 million to shareholders between 2021 and 2024.

The new CEO will be Philip Hoare, currently the Chief Operating Officer at AtkinsRéalis. He has 30 years of experience in engineering and construction. Hoare will officially take over in September, with Quinn staying on for a few months to help with the transition.

Raquel Diaz Takes the Helm at Gilbane

Gilbane Building Company has appointed Raquel Diaz as the new leader of its New York City operations. With over 18 years in construction, Diaz has managed projects worth more than $2.8 billion in the city.

Raquel’s experience includes roles at AECOM Tishman and Turner Construction, and since joining Gilbane in 2019, she has expanded the company's public sector work. Projects under her leadership include the NYC COVID Centers of Excellence and the restoration of Orchard Beach Pavilion.

In her new role, Diaz aims to drive growth, enhance team development, and deliver top-notch facilities for clients and communities.

WORLD

Stockholm Wood City, Sweden

Stockholm is making global headlines with Stockholm Wood City, the world’s largest urban development built entirely from mass timber.

Led by Atrium Ljungberg, this 250,000 square-meter mixed-use project in Sickla will feature 2,000 homes, 7,000 office spaces, restaurants, and retail, all built using sustainable cross-laminated timber (CLT).

Benefits of wooden construction include improved air quality, reduced stress, and faster, quieter building processes. The project also focuses on energy efficiency, incorporating self-produced, stored, and shared energy solutions.

Stockholm Wood City aims to serve as a model for sustainable urban development, integrating natural materials to enhance residents' well-being.

Construction kicked off in October 2024, with first-phase buildings expected by 2027.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Rosendin Goes Full Sci-Fi with Robotic Solar Crew

Rosendin, a major electrical contractor, is set to showcase its new robotic system for installing solar panels at a job site in West Texas on April 17.

This system includes three robots: two that carry panels and one that places them. These robots can work on rough terrain and use GPS and sensors to position panels accurately. The goal is to make solar panel installation faster and safer.

In tests, this robotic system, working with just two people, installed 350 to 400 panels in an eight-hour day. That's about three times more than a regular crew does. The robots can handle panels weighing up to 100 pounds and are powered by a mix of gas and batteries.

Cityzenith Builds Virtual Cities

Cityzenith is a tech company that creates digital twins- virtual models of buildings and cities. Their main product, SmartWorldPro, helps architects, engineers, and city planners design and manage complex projects.

By combining data from various sources, users can see how a building or city will function before it's built. This tool is especially useful for large projects like smart cities and sustainable buildings.​

One major use of SmartWorldPro was in Amaravati, a planned smart city in India. The platform allowed planners to simulate traffic, energy use, and environmental impacts. This helped in making decisions that could lead to better living conditions and reduced pollution.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

Which HVAC component transfers heat to the outside air?

A. Furnace // B. Compressor // C. Condenser coil

What is the main function of a relay in electrical systems?

A. Store current // B. Act as a switch // C. Distribute voltage evenly

Which construction professional typically oversees all trades on-site?

A. Site Superintendent // B. Architect // C. Estimator

What is the standard size of a residential breaker panel in new homes?

A. 100 amps // B. 150 amps // C. 200 amps

What does “MC” stand for in electrical wiring?

A. Multi-circuit // B. Metal-clad // C. Microcurrent

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Electrical Project Manager – Virginia – Commercial

2. Electrical Superintendent – Virginia – Commercial

3. Electrical Estimator – North Carolina – Commercial

4. Scheduler – Georgia – Data Centers

5. MEP Project Manager – Iowa – Data Centers

6. Superintendent – Arizona – Data Centers

7. Project Manager – Arizona – Data Centers

8. Project Manager – Kentucky – Healthcare

9. MEP Project Manager – Kentucky – Healthcare

10. Preconstruction Manager – California – Commercial

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

How do I learn from past mistakes?

🚧Answers

Q1 C. Condenser coil // Q2 B. Act as a switch // Q3 A. Site Superintendent // Q4 C. 200 amps // Q5 B. Metal-clad

How many did you get?

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