Project Engineer (Contract to Hire)

Job Title: Project Engineer (Contract to Hire)

Location: Wheatfield, IN
Work Model: Fully Onsite
Rate: $61–$71/hour
Contract Duration: September 28, 2026 – September 27, 2027
Contract to Hire: Yes
Employment Type: W-2 Only
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens Only | Green Card holders also eligible; no visa sponsorship available
Work Schedule: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM, with 1-hour lunch

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to support field execution, construction management, project controls, quality, commercial activities, and contractor oversight for a large-scale power generation project in Wheatfield, IN.

This role will work closely with the Project Manager, Construction Manager, Project Scheduler, contractors, suppliers, engineering teams, and other project stakeholders to ensure work is executed safely, in accordance with contract requirements, and within approved scope, schedule, cost, and quality expectations.

The Project Engineer will provide hands-on support across multiple engineering and construction disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical work. This person will review plans and specifications, monitor field progress, assist with schedule and cost controls, support quality assurance activities, track commercial issues, and help drive timely resolution of construction challenges.

The ideal candidate brings experience supporting combined cycle or simple cycle power plant construction , heavy industrial projects, or similarly complex capital programs. This position is best suited for someone who is detail-oriented, technically capable, comfortable in the field, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.

Key Responsibilities

Field Construction & Project Execution

• Report to the designated project site at least five days per week and provide additional support as required by project timelines.

• Support fluctuating work hours based on construction activity, project milestones, and execution needs.

• Support the onsite construction management team with day-to-day field execution.

• Inspect construction activities to monitor progress and ensure conformance with engineering plans, specifications, quality requirements, and construction standards.

• Coordinate with contractors, field teams, engineering, and project leadership to resolve construction issues.

• Monitor contract performance related to scope, cost, schedule, quality, and milestone adherence.

• Identify potential execution risks and escalate issues before they affect project performance.

Contract Administration & Compliance

• Provide oversight of contractor performance and confirm adherence to contractual obligations.

• Routinely monitor contract milestones, deliverables, and performance requirements.

• Interpret contract requirements and provide clarification to project stakeholders as needed.

• Assist in evaluating contractor performance against approved scope, schedule, quality, and cost requirements.

• Support preparation and evaluation of change orders, claims, and other commercial matters.

• Coordinate with the Lead Project Manager on commercial issues requiring analysis or escalation.

Engineering & Technical Support

• Analyze and interpret project plans, technical specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.

• Support execution across multiple disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and related construction activities.

• Assist in drafting and reviewing Requests for Information (RFIs), Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), and technical responses.

• Coordinate the submittal process and working drawing requirements.

• Prepare or assist with preparation and modification of reports, specifications, plans, designs, and related project documentation.

• Work with engineering teams to resolve design clarifications and field issues.

Schedule & Project Controls Support

• Maintain and update project schedules with support from the Construction Manager and Project Scheduler.

• Review schedule progress, forecast impacts, milestones, and critical project activities.

• Support project controls by monitoring progress, cost, productivity, and schedule performance.

• Assist in evaluating field conditions that could impact schedule or forecast performance.

• Participate in schedule review meetings and provide field execution updates.

• Help ensure schedule information accurately reflects current project status.

Cost, Billing & Financial Tracking

• Understand and monitor cost and productivity data associated with project execution.

• Maintain, verify, and report cost and income quantities for completed work.

• Review, approve, and submit progress billings.

• Analyze, prepare, maintain, and monitor job cost information.

• Work with the construction management team to control job costs and production budgets.

• Prepare and audit monthly cost, income, and cash flow projections.

• Review and approve invoices in accordance with project procedures.

• Support cost forecasting and financial reporting activities.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Develop and maintain quality control procedures and work-controlling documents.

• Review procedures prepared by other departments for compliance and correctness.

• Implement quality assurance and quality control processes in accordance with owner contracts and company requirements.

• Perform audits and support preparation and resolution of quality-related issues.

• Act as a liaison with suppliers, contractors, and internal/external stakeholders on quality matters.

• Ensure corrective measures are implemented when noncompliance is identified.

• Track quality issues through resolution and help prevent recurrence.

Commercial & Change Management Support

• Assist with commercial activities including change orders, claims, pricing, and contract interpretation.

• Coordinate with project leadership to evaluate scope changes and cost impacts.

• Support preparation of documentation required for commercial decisions.

• Maintain organized records of project correspondence and commercial documentation.

• Help ensure changes are properly documented, evaluated, approved, and incorporated into project controls.

Materials, Equipment & Logistics Support

• Assist logistics personnel with the review, receipt, inventory, and tracking of materials and equipment.

• Coordinate with construction teams to ensure materials and equipment are available when needed.

• Identify material or equipment issues that may affect construction sequencing or schedule.

• Support resolution of shortages, discrepancies, or delivery concerns.

• Maintain accurate documentation related to material and equipment status.

Project Administration & Reporting

• Prepare and maintain agendas, meeting minutes, and action item logs for weekly project update meetings.

• Assist in developing and reviewing executive update presentations.

• Maintain accurate project correspondence files and documentation.

• Support project communication matrices, procurement activities, project management documentation, and lessons learned.

• Prepare concise status updates related to construction progress, cost, schedule, quality, risks, and issues.

• Ensure action items and project commitments are tracked through closure.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Walk construction areas and monitor progress against plans, specifications, and quality requirements.

• Coordinate with contractors and field teams on execution issues and upcoming work.

• Review RFIs, NCRs, submittals, working drawings, and project documentation.

• Update schedules, action logs, cost information, and project reports.

• Review contractor progress and verify completed work.

• Support invoice review, progress billings, and cost forecasting.

• Participate in construction, schedule, quality, and project update meetings.

• Track open issues, risks, decisions, and corrective actions.

• Support project leadership with commercial, procurement, logistics, and documentation activities.

• Assist with executive reporting and project controls updates.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in construction, engineering, project engineering, or a related field.

• Experience supporting large, complex projects with a combination of internal and external resources and labor/non-labor cost components.

• Experience with combined cycle or simple cycle power plant construction .

• Experience supporting or managing heavy industrial construction .

• Experience working across multiple disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and related construction activities.

• Ability to interpret technical specifications, construction drawings, schedules, and project documentation.

• Strong understanding of construction execution, cost control, schedule management, quality, and contractor performance.

• Ability to analyze problems, gather information, establish facts, and develop practical solutions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to communicate professionally with project teams, contractors, clients, and leadership.

• Ability to prepare and interpret business reports, correspondence, procedures, and technical documentation.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capability.

• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a project team.

• Strong work ethic and commitment to high-quality execution.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to work fully onsite in Wheatfield, IN.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• General contracting experience.

• Experience working directly for or closely with EPC contractors, general contractors, OEMs, or major subcontractors.

• Experience supporting utility, power generation, energy, or other large capital projects.

• Experience with project controls, cost forecasting, schedule management, and commercial administration.

• Experience preparing or reviewing change orders, claims, RFIs, NCRs, and submittals.

• Experience supporting QA/QC programs on large construction projects.

• Experience supporting project logistics, material tracking, and equipment coordination.

• Experience with Primavera P6 or similar scheduling tools is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Project Engineering

• Power Generation Construction

• Combined Cycle / Simple Cycle

• Heavy Industrial Construction

• Construction Management

• Contract Administration

• Field Execution

• Project Controls

• Cost Tracking

• Schedule Management

• QA / QC

• RFIs / NCRs

• Submittal Management

• Change Orders / Claims

• Contractor Oversight

• Commercial Support

• Materials & Logistics

• Executive Reporting

• Multi-Discipline Coordination

• Problem Solving

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Project Engineer with strong field construction experience and a solid understanding of how scope, schedule, cost, quality, and contract requirements come together on a major capital project. They should be comfortable working directly with contractors and construction teams, interpreting drawings and specifications, supporting project controls and commercial activities, and driving issues toward resolution.

The strongest candidates will bring direct power generation construction experience , particularly combined cycle or simple cycle projects, along with exposure to civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical work in a heavy industrial environment.