ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contractor Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Owner's Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

$73K - $98K/yr

In this role, you will be responsible for providing high-level technical oversight, ensuring outside engineering contractors deliver designs that meet strict utility standards, and safeguarding the ...

Apply Early

Mesa Associates Inc.

Owner's Engineer

Chattanooga, TN · On-site +1

$75K - $100K/yr

In this role, you will be responsible for providing high-level technical oversight, ensuring outside engineering contractors deliver designs that meet strict utility standards, and safeguarding the ...

Mesa Associates Inc.

Owner's Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

$73K - $98K/yr

In this role, you will be responsible for providing high-level technical oversight, ensuring outside engineering contractors deliver designs that meet strict utility standards, and safeguarding the ...

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Owner's Engineer

Chattanooga, TN · On-site +1

$75K - $100K/yr

In this role, you will be responsible for providing high-level technical oversight, ensuring outside engineering contractors deliver designs that meet strict utility standards, and safeguarding the ...

Apply Early

Whopper Technologies

Structural Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

Structural Engineer Location: Nashville, TN Seniority on the skill/s required on this requirement ... Technical interface with code officials and contractors. Requirements: * Proficiency in Computer ...

Apply Early

Viskase Companies, Inc.

Process Engineer II

Loudon, TN · On-site

Partner with vendors and contractors to develop cost-effective, reliable engineering solutions. * Procure materials and services to support timely project execution. * Evaluate project execution to ...

Actalent

Electrical Project Engineer

Clarksville, TN

Oversee contractor work on-site to verify compliance with project requirements, engineering designs, and safety standards. * Ensure all projects adhere to quality control standards and applicable ...

Apply Early

gaylor

Project Engineer

Nashville, TN

The Project Engineer will interact with internal support staff and external stakeholders, including owners, architects, engineers, trade contractors, and vendors, to facilitate project-related ...

CSR Engineering

Civil Engineer

Pleasant View, TN · On-site

In this Civil Engineer position, you will play a key role in designing, planning, and managing ... Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including architects, surveyors, and contractors, to ...

Apply Early

Unilever

Safety Engineer

Covington, TN

$71K - $107K/yr

Strong contractor safety performance and PTW compliance * Effective MOC implementation and documentation accuracy * Reduction in hazards through engineering and design improvements * Innovative and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContractor Engineer JobsContractor Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Contractor Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$9

$42

$79

How much do contractor engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractor engineer in Tennessee is $42.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.50 and $55.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Contractor Engineers?

Contractor Engineers are professionals hired on a contract basis to provide engineering services for specific projects or timeframes, rather than as permanent employees. They can work in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, IT, and energy, performing tasks such as design, project management, and technical consulting. Contractor Engineers bring specialized skills to a project, often filling short-term gaps or handling peak workloads. Their contracts may vary in duration and scope, depending on the needs of the client or project.

What is the difference between Contractor Engineer vs Construction Manager?

AspectContractor EngineerConstruction Manager
CredentialsEngineering degree, relevant certificationsEngineering or construction management degree, certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-site project execution, technical oversightOn-site and office coordination, project planning
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, engineering companiesConstruction firms, general contractors
Primary FocusTechnical engineering tasks, ensuring design complianceProject management, scheduling, budget control

Contractor Engineers focus on technical engineering aspects and on-site project execution, while Construction Managers oversee overall project planning, coordination, and management. Both roles are essential in construction projects but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges Contractor Engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Contractor Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Coordinating with various stakeholders, such as clients, subcontractors, and suppliers, requires strong communication skills and the ability to quickly resolve conflicts or delays. Additionally, adapting to shifting project requirements and maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards can add to the complexity. Successful Contractor Engineers typically rely on detailed scheduling, clear documentation, and proactive problem-solving to keep projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contractor Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Contractor Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, project management, and relevant industry experience, often supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering and professional certification (e.g., PE license). Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools like MS Project, and compliance with safety and building codes is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams set outstanding Contractor Engineers apart. These competencies ensure projects are designed, executed, and delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget.
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Contractor Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Contractor Engineer job openings:
Contractor Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contractor Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,892 per year, or $42.7 per hour.
Owner's Engineer

Owner's Engineer

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Knoxville, TN • On-site, Remote

$73K - $98K/yr

Part-time

Posted 8 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

PDS5 / Power Delivery Substation

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

Mesa seeks an experienced Owner's Engineer to act as a trusted technical representative and advocate for project owners throughout the lifecycle of electrical substation projects. In this role, you will be responsible for providing high-level technical oversight, ensuring outside engineering contractors deliver designs that meet strict utility standards, and safeguarding the owner’s best interests. You’ll also be responsible for checking and oversite of deliverables associated with substation Physical & P&C design projects. This is a part-time, long-term position.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Review engineering deliverables, drawings, and calculations provided by outside engineering contractors to ensure compliance with project requirements, industry standards, and utility best practices.
  • Check/review junior personnel's work for accuracy/adherence to client and national standards
  • Perform/review project scoping activities
  • Prepare engineering labor cost estimates
  • Mentor junior engineers and designers
  • Advocate for the project owner during design reviews, factory acceptance testing, and construction/commissioning phases.
  • Ensure the constructability, reliability, and safety of substation physical layouts and protection schemes.
  • Interface clearly and effectively with owners, EPC contractors, vendors, and internal teams to maintain project schedules and quality control.
  • Be self-sufficient and proactive with a proven ability to work independently and manage deliverables in a remote setting.

      Education/Licensure:

      • A Bachelor’s degree in engineering from and ABET accredited university is preferred
      • Professional Engineer license is a plus but not required

      Experience:

      • 15+ years of progressive experience in high-voltage (HV) electric substation engineering is required
      • Experience working directly for a utility is a plus but not required
      • Familiarity with relay coordination, control schemes, single/three-line diagrams, and schematics, etc.
      • Familiarity with yard layouts, rigid/strain bus design, grounding, and lightning protection, etc.

      Work Schedule:

      • Mesa provides a very flexible schedule to all of our associates. This part time position will offer even greater flexibility.
      • We prefer candidates that can dedicate an average of 20+ hours per week.
      • Being willing to work additional hours to meet deadlines may occasionally be requested but is not expected to occur more than a few weeks per year.

      Location:

      • This position will report to our Knoxville, Tn office.
      • Reporting to the Knoxville office in a Hybrid schedule is preferred but not required.
      • Highly qualified candidates will be considered for fully remote work, but in the Southeast Region due to customer locality.
      • For fully remote workers, quarterly visits to the Knoxville office may be required depending on experience and performance.

      Benefits:

      • Mesa provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health Insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Paid Holidays, fitness benefits, etc.

      Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.