Junior Construction Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Reports To:

Construction Manager / VP of Construction

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Location:

Office-Based (50-75%) | Field / Project Sites (25-50%)

Travel:

As required by project needs

Department:

Construction

Preconstruction & Project Setup

• Lead and support preconstruction planning: scope development, constructability reviews, and project kick-off coordination.
• Collaborate with PMs, estimators, and clients to define requirements, milestones, and deliverables before mobilization.
• Develop project execution plans, work breakdown structures (WBS), and construction sequencing strategies.
• Review drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and P&IDs to identify risks and inform cost and schedule planning.

Scheduling & Project Controls

• Build, maintain, and update project schedules in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project - including critical path, float analysis, look-ahead schedules, and recovery plans.
• Coordinate with field supervision to ensure schedule accuracy and alignment with actual progress.
• Identify, communicate, and drive mitigation of schedule risks and delays.

Estimating & Cost Management

• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs, cost estimates, and bid packages for new projects, change orders, and scope additions.
• Maintain project budgets; track committed costs, actuals, and forecast-to-complete throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor spend rates against budget; flag variances early and support corrective action planning.
• Support bid preparation, subcontractor scoping, and vendor negotiations.

KPIs, Reporting & Analytics

• Track and report project KPIs: Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI), earned value, safety, and quality metrics.
• Prepare clear, concise project status reports and dashboards for leadership and client consumption.
• Analyze project data to surface trends, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities - backed by evidence, not guesswork.

Technical Support & RFI Management

• Review, prepare, and coordinate timely RFI responses across field crews, subcontractors, and clients.
• Coordinate with engineering design teams to resolve technical questions, design discrepancies, and constructability issues.
• Support development and review of method statements, work plans, and technical submittals.

Department & Team Support

• Serve as an internal resource for planning, technical, and operational matters across the Construction Department.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of department processes, templates, and standard operating procedures.
• Support subcontractor pre-qualification, selection, and performance management.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior project staff.

At ZAP, you are not a number on a project roster. You will have real responsibility, real visibility, and real opportunity to grow. We invest in our people, promote from within, and build careers alongside the projects we deliver.

Technical Work That Matters

Complex industrial projects where your engineering judgment makes a difference - every day.

A Culture of Accountability

We hold ourselves to high standards. You will be surrounded by people who do the same.

Growth & Advancement

A direct path to senior project engineer, project manager, and construction leadership roles.

Safety is Non-Negotiable

We protect our people. Safety is embedded in everything we plan, design, and build.

A-players in this role demonstrate consistent mastery across the following ten competencies. These are not aspirational - they are the standard we hire and retain to.

01

Technical Engineering Acumen

Applies engineering fundamentals and knowledge of construction methods, materials, and systems to solve technical problems, review documents, and guide field execution with confidence.

02

Project Controls Mastery

Builds, owns, and drives project schedules (CPM/P6/MSP), cost tracking, earned value, and KPI reporting - turning raw data into clear, actionable insights for leadership and clients.

03

Analytical & Data-Driven Thinking

Digs into project data to spot trends, variances, and risks early. Translates complex numbers into concise narratives and recommended corrective actions - no guessing, evidence first.

04

Communication & Stakeholder Influence

Communicates clearly and professionally across all levels - field crews, PMs, clients, and executives. Writes sharp reports, runs effective meetings, and keeps everyone aligned.

05

Organized Execution Under Pressure

Thrives in a multi-project, deadline-driven environment. Manages competing priorities without dropping the ball, uses structured systems to stay on top of commitments, and delivers consistently.

06

Constructability & Risk Awareness

Reads drawings, specs, geotechnical reports, and P&IDs to proactively identify constructability issues, scope risks, and technical gaps before they become costly field problems.

07

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Operates as a trusted bridge between estimating, scheduling, engineering, field supervision, and clients. Builds strong working relationships and keeps projects moving across organizational boundaries.

08

Safety-First Mindset

Demonstrates a personal commitment to safety excellence - not just compliance. Proactively supports a safety culture in planning documents, work plans, and field interactions.

09

Ownership & Accountability

Takes full ownership of assigned work products, deadlines, and outcomes. Does not wait to be told what to do next; self-directs, escalates early when blockers arise, and follows through reliably.

10

Continuous Improvement Drive

Actively looks for ways to improve processes, templates, and workflows. Contributes to departmental SOPs and is not satisfied with 'good enough' when better is achievable.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Construction Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent scheduling software.
• Competency in estimating and cost management; experience with take-off software is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and project management platforms.
• Familiarity with construction document management systems (Procore, Aconex, or similar).
• Working knowledge of construction contracts (lump sum, unit rate, reimbursable), RFI processes, submittals, and change order procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, civil/structural plans, and specifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills - written and verbal.

Preferred

• Experience in oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, or industrial plant construction.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety certification.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and integrated cost/schedule reporting.