Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Leopardo Construction is looking for a Project Engineer to join our busy Job Order Contract market downtown Chicago! The Project Engineer role is ideal for candidates looking to learn and build their career in a fast-paced environment. Project Engineers have the opportunity to work on exciting projects while gaining exposure to all facets of the construction industry.   

Summary: As a member of the project management team, the Project Engineer is responsible for assisting and supporting Estimating, Project Management and Field Operations Departments in planning, directing and coordinating designated project activities to ensure all goals and objectives are met.  This role will learn all facets of the construction process to allow progression to the position of estimator, project manager, or superintendent. The Project Engineer will participate in Leopardo’s structured training, which includes completion of the assigned rotational learning plans, to gain a clear understanding of Company policies, procedures, philosophies, and the overall construction process.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Project Management Support - a Project Manager administers all contractual responsibilities to ensure all goals and objectives are met. They participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting and implementation. Your responsibility will be to assist project management staff to:  

• Monitor and achieve goals to include overhead, profit, general conditions, self-performed trades, total client satisfaction and profit projections / job cost maintenance.
• Monitor a detailed master construction schedule utilizing Asta. Track critical dates of all activities affecting the project completion (Owner, Architect, Consultants, Contractor, Subcontractors, Municipalities, Equipment Suppliers, Site Due Diligence, etc.) and provide updates as required.
• Obtain permits, insurance and bonds.   
• Review and process submittals, shop drawings and RFI’s. Follow up with architect / subcontractor to expedite approvals. Establish, maintain and update logs that meet Company or Owner’s specifications.
• Coordinate and/or participate in pre, weekly (e.g. OAC, MEP Coordination, Pre-installation, etc.) and post construction meetings. Prepare meeting minutes. Outline all items discussed, indicating the status of each, and assign responsibility and date for completion of open items. Coordinate MBE / WBE compliance monitoring, update and report as required.
• Negotiate with and procure Subcontractors and Suppliers. Generate subcontracts / purchase orders, and gather and review monthly applications for payment. Ensure BIM, LEED and Design/Build subcontract language is included, if necessary. Track status on subcontracts, insurance and bonds.
• Generate and maintain project documentation for BIM (Building Information Modeling). Conduct model mediation /clash detection.
• Review LEED construction deliverables for LEED seeking projects.
• Determine subcontractor work completed to date, on a project, and generate monthly billings / sworn statement to owner.
• Verify, price and prepare change order documentation. Maintain change order log to review weekly status of changes.
• Project completion closeout documentation. Compile as-built drawings, warrantee letters, O&M manuals, and other documents to complete the closeout package.
• Ensure correct setup and maintenance of filing and archiving systems.

Estimating Support – an Estimator prepares comprehensive, accurate and competitive cost estimates to allow Leopardo the greatest opportunity to achieve successful award of potential projects. Your responsibility will be to assist estimating staff to:  

• Develop bid strategies whether competitive or negotiated (preconstruction).
• Formulate accurate budgets.
• Review all bid documents to create quantity take-offs using On Screen. Develop RFI’s as required. 
• Conduct jobsite walkthroughs to verify actual field conditions.
• Develop a list of qualified subcontract bidders using the invitation to bid software to attain the per trade requirements. Communicate with subcontract bidders to increase coverage if necessary.
• Receive and analyze Subcontractor bids as they relate to drawings, specifications and scope of work using bid day form.
• Prepare owner budget proposal after pursuing cost-saving alternatives and value engineering.
• Take part in client presentation when required.
• Participate in preconstruction job turnover process.

Field Operations Support – a Superintendent administers all Leopardo field responsibilities to achieve project goals within the project schedule and at the highest standards of quality project. Your responsibility will be to assist field operations staff to:   

• Procure materials, and assemble / distribute a two-week look-ahead schedule that coincides with the detailed master construction schedule. Maintain daily logs, which document day-to-day job activities. Participate in Subcontractor meetings to coordinate activities.
• Initiate a project safety plan and monitor EH&S initiatives. Walk jobsite daily to review conditions / progress and assist in completing audits, inspections and daily logs.
• Initiate job specific QC plan and monitor initiatives. Review plans and specs. Maintain construction documents on site by logging the drawings, sketches and bulletins. Post and process ASI’s, bulletins, CCDs, etc. Participate in coordination and pre-installation meetings. Ensure final inspections and tests are timely. Generate field documentation to assist the LEED Project Coordinator in final submission to approving authorities.
• Manage self-perform trades and monitor budgeted versus actual cost for self-performed work.   
• Generate punch list, determine responsible subcontractor for each item and follow up with subcontractor(s) to ensure timely completion.
• Monitor and record project hiring requirements. Daily and monthly records must be maintained along with payroll certifications.
• Work on site and interact with clients, owner’s reps or end users/unit owners as required by a project. 

Education / Experience Requirements:   

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University in construction, engineering or architecture related fields; or, equivalent training and related experience.
• Prior industry experience as a Project Engineer or Intern preferred; field and/or estimating experience is a plus.
• Understanding of basic construction technologies such as: scheduling software, financial comprehension, digital model navigation; ability to read and understand blueprints is a must.
• Awareness of project management and accounting software; Viewpoint is a plus.

• Medical, Dental and Life Insurance
• Vision Program
• Short term/long term disability
• 401k + matching plan
• Generous PTO including Paid Holidays and Volunteer PTO, Time & Donation Matching
• Identify theft protection
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Group accident insurance, legal services, pet insurance, 529 College Savings Plan

Why Leopardo?
Leopardo is one of the nation’s largest and most respected construction firms, building world-class facilities with innovative, environmentally-friendly processes. We are considered “best in class” by our clients and peers, and the media consistently ranks us among the top builders in the United States. For more than four decades, Leopardo has been recognized for consistently performing at the very top of the industry. Our reputation for outstanding customer service stems from our mission to passionately pursue construction excellence. Our long-standing commitment to continuous improvement comes with a healthy obsession with quality. This approach transforms our operations and customer service, helping us become the construction provider of choice in all our specialized markets: healthcare, interiors, retail, cinema, hospitality, office, industrial, residential and municipal.  

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: Must have a valid driver’s license. OSHA 30 Hour certification and LEED GA accreditation are a plus.