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Entry Level Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia

MEB

Project Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

... construction projects. Responsible for maintaining certain aspects of the project schedule as ... Whether you are an entry-level engineer eager to start your career or a seasoned professional ...

MEB

Project Engineer

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

... construction projects. Responsible for maintaining certain aspects of the project schedule as ... Whether you are an entry-level engineer eager to start your career or a seasoned professional ...

Barton Malow

Project Engineer 2

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

Project Engineer POSITION OVERVIEW Barton Malow is seeking a commercial construction project engineer to join our growing team in Charlottesville, VA! This role will support our project delivery team ...

Orders Construction

Project Engineer

Christiansburg, VA · On-site

Position Summary Orders Construction Company has an immediate opening for a team-oriented Project ... This is an entry level management position, specifically suited to engineering graduates who desire ...

Orders Construction

Project Engineer

Christiansburg, VA · On-site

Position Summary Orders Construction Company has an immediate opening for a team-oriented Project ... This is an entry level management position, specifically suited to engineering graduates who desire ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsConstruction Project Engineer JobsEntry Level Construction Project Engineer JobsEntry Level Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Entry Level Construction Project Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$32.7K

$81.4K

$149.2K

How much do entry level construction project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level construction project engineer in Virginia is $81,361.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,400.00 and $87,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Construction Project Engineer vs Construction Coordinator?

AspectEntry Level Construction Project EngineerConstruction Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering or related field; internships preferredHigh school diploma or associate degree; relevant experience beneficial
Work EnvironmentOn-site construction sites, project officesOffice setting, on-site visits
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, engineering companiesGeneral contractors, construction management firms

Both roles support construction projects but differ mainly in responsibilities. Entry Level Construction Project Engineers focus on technical planning, design, and assisting with project execution, while Construction Coordinators handle scheduling, communication, and administrative tasks. The engineer role typically requires a degree and technical skills, whereas the coordinator role emphasizes organizational abilities. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the best fit for their skills and career goals.

How much does a first year project engineer make?

A first-year construction project engineer typically earns between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on location, company size, and educational background. Entry-level engineers often develop skills in project management software and site supervision during their first year.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Construction Project Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Construction Project Engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field, along with a solid understanding of project planning and construction processes. Familiarity with project management software (like Procore or Microsoft Project), AutoCAD, and reading blueprints is typically expected. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you manage tasks, coordinate with teams, and solve problems on-site. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget while facilitating teamwork and minimizing errors.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or software engineering with senior roles and advanced skills can earn $300,000 or more annually. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and work in high-demand industries or leadership roles.

What are some common challenges faced by Entry Level Construction Project Engineers during their first year on the job?

Entry Level Construction Project Engineers often encounter challenges such as learning to effectively coordinate between various stakeholders—including contractors, architects, and suppliers—and managing their time across multiple tasks or job sites. Adapting to the fast-paced environment and resolving unexpected onsite issues can be demanding. New engineers typically need to quickly develop strong communication skills and a solid understanding of construction documentation, safety protocols, and project management software. However, these challenges provide valuable learning experiences and a foundation for long-term career growth in construction management.

What Does an Entry-Level Construction Project Engineer Do?

Entry-level construction project engineers assist senior project engineers with building projects. In this role, you may help plan the construction schedule, act as a liaison for contractors and subcontractors, provide status updates to clients, and answer any questions they may have about the progress. Many companies use this role as a type of extended training period for new engineers; you are supervised in most of your job duties and receive feedback designed to help you improve your skills and prepare for a regular, less-supervised engineering role. This job may require you to travel to different construction sites and work long shifts, including nights, weekends, or holidays, as needed.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most entry-level construction project engineers earn significantly less, senior or specialized engineers such as civil, petroleum, or aerospace engineers with extensive experience and advanced certifications can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. These high salaries are typically associated with senior roles, leadership positions, or engineers working in high-demand industries or regions with high living costs.

Can you become a project engineer with no experience?

Entry level construction project engineers can often start with little to no experience if they have relevant education, such as a degree in construction management or engineering, and demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills. Employers may provide on-the-job training and look for candidates with basic knowledge of construction processes, safety protocols, and project management tools like MS Project or Primavera.

What does an Entry Level Construction Project Engineer do?

An Entry Level Construction Project Engineer assists in managing construction projects by coordinating schedules, resources, and documentation. They work closely with project managers, contractors, and architects to ensure that building plans are executed correctly and safely. Their tasks often include tracking project progress, assisting with budgeting, and resolving on-site issues. This role provides valuable hands-on experience and is often a stepping stone to more advanced engineering or management positions in construction.
More about Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Construction Project Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Construction Project Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Construction Project Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,361 per year, or $39.1 per hour.
Project Engineer - Commercial Construction

Project Engineer - Commercial Construction

Atlantic Constructors

Woodbridge, VA

$68K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

At ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count!

$0.00 COST FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, SHORT TERM DISABILITY & LIFE INSURANCE (EMPLOYEE ONLY) COVERAGE!

Atlantic Constructors is seeking dynamic, motivated, career minded individuals to join our expanding team! Atlantic Constructors has been recognized as an industry leader in the Mid-Atlantic Region for over 50 years.

Benefits:

  • Medical Insurance Plan ($0.00 Employee-Only)
  • Dental Insurance Plan ($0.00 Employee-Only)
  • Short-Term Disability Plan ($0.00 Employee-Only)
  • Life Insurance Plan ($0.00 Employee-Only)
  • Vision Insurance Plan
  • 401(K) Retirement Plan with Generous Company Matching
  • Health Savings Plan with Generous Company Matching
  • Wellness Programs

Atlantic Constructors offers competitive benefits, for more information check out our comprehensive list on our website Acibuilds.com

Summary/Objective:

Our Project Engineer - MEP will work with the Project Managers (PM's) and Project Manager Assistants (PMA's) to provide leadership for two or more Commercial Construction projects. Our Project Engineers interact daily with the field crews, customers, vendors, and subcontractors. A Project Engineers main objective is to make sure that all of our team members have the correct information and resources to be successful.

Essential Functions:

  • A Project Engineer maintains project tracking reports to monitor productivity and labor utilization
  • Creates and maintain internal project schedules
  • Prepares complete, accurate and timely submittals for construction projects based on project drawings, specifications, and vendor information
  • Tracks and receives approved submittals from architect or engineer and coordinates with Project Team
  • Assists Project Manager and other Project Engineers by preparing all necessary back up relating to change requests
  • Completes of all required project close-out documents per contract
  • Updates and distributes contract documents to subcontractors, including drawings, specifications, and general conditions
  • Schedules all required construction meetings with the ACI Team, our subcontractors, vendors and customers
  • Attends pre-bid, project and closeout meetings
  • Solicits subcontractors and suppliers for proposals prior to submission deadline
  • Prepares correspondence with client, architect, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.
  • Submits building permit application, follows-up on review progress and receives upon approval
  • Assists Project Manager to achieve quality, schedule, budget and safety
  • Utilizes and maintains tools: schedules and documents management to track and record project performance
  • Documents quality and progress of each subcontractor and suppliers and notifies of any changes to the plans, specifications and/or schedule
  • Informs management of productivity, costs, quality control, document management and processing of applications for payment
  • Notifies management of any issues that arise which affects quality, budget, progress and safety
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering field, and 2+ years of experience in a commercial construction environment; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Must be able to apply innovative and effective management techniques to maximize team performance
  • Superior communication and interpersonal (tact, diplomacy, influence, etc.) skills are essential to this role
  • Must be able to multi-task, work with minimal supervision, follow written and oral instructions, show attention to detail and demonstrate problem-solving skills
  • Must adhere to all company policy and procedures
  • Must be available to work assigned schedules

The work environment and physical demands required would be representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and may include, but are not limited to the following:

Work Environment:

  • Works in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment
  • Position may require visits to construction site

Physical Demands:

  • This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopier, filing cabinets and fax machines

Travel:

  • May require infrequent travel (typically not overnight)

Preferred:

  • Experience as a Project Engineer on heavy commercial construction projects
  • MS Project or other scheduling software tools
  • 3D modeling experience (Revit, AutoCAD, Inventor, Navisworks)
  • PDF Editing software (Bluebeam, Adobe)
  • Familiarity with cloud based PM software
  • Prior military experience

Visit us at www.acibuilds.com for more information!

Final compensation will be determined based on experience, education, licensure, skills, and other relevant factors

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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Project Engineer - MEP - Commercial Construction

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