Construction Project Engineer (Mission Critical + Data Center)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $60,000 - $95,000/year

At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. Thats why we dont just build and remodel, we build relationships, rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.

For this role, we are seeking candidates currently located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and/or Illinois.

Who You Are

Youre a logical, detail-driven thinker who enjoys working in complex, technical environments. Youre naturally curious about how things work and take pride in building a deep understanding of project details, systems, and constraints.

Youre comfortable engaging with engineers, field teams, and technical experts, and youre not intimidated by complexity. You bring clarity to conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and help translate technical information into actionable next steps.

Youre motivated to grow your technical acumen and contribute to projects where precision, coordination, and problem-solving are critical to success.

How Youll Contribute

As a Project Engineer, youll support the successful delivery of commercial construction projects by coordinating schedules, managing documentation, and helping ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish. Depending on project size and scope, you may serve as a project lead on small to midsize projects, or provide daily support to a Project Manager on larger projects. Some of your key responsibilities include:

• Support project planning, execution, and closeout activities.
• Develop and track submittals, RFIs, change orders, and procurement logs.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of contracts, drawings, and other project documentation.
• Generate, monitor, and update project schedules; identify deliverables and task owners.
• Manage owner pay applications, invoices, and change documentation.
• Support weekly project and OAC meetings with accurate notes and follow-up.
• Obtain permits and required regulatory approvals.
• Support project closeout by compiling O&M manuals, closeout packets, and punchlist follow-up.
• Maintain consistent communication with internal teams, clients, and trade partners to ensure alignment.

What Success Looks Like

Youll know youre succeeding when:

• Your project documentation is accurate, timely, and organized.
• Project Managers and Superintendents can rely on you for dependable support and proactive problem-solving.
• Clients, design partners, and trade partners feel supported and well-informed.
• You continue to grow your technical and leadership skills, building toward greater responsibility.

What Youll Bring

• Bachelors degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 12 years of professional construction experience on complex projects, such as mission-critical or industrial work (internships and co-ops not included).
• A strong analytical mindset and enjoys working with numbers, data, and spreadsheets.
• Approaches work with focus and follow-through, while staying flexible as priorities shift.
• Comfortable engaging in technical conversations and building rapport with highly technical teams.
• Curious about and open to learning complex systems, such as generators, chillers, and other critical infrastructure.
• Basic understanding of general contracting and the project life cycle.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project scheduling tools, and Apple devices.
• Collaborative, humble, and solutions-oriented mindset.

What Will Set You Apart

• 24 years of project management experience with a general contractor working on complex projects, such as mission-critical or industrial work.
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, or other construction management software.
• Experience managing project documentation and financials.

Why Join Gardner Builders?

We are proud to be recognized as:

• 7-Time Best Places to Work by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
• 6-Time Top 150 Workplaces by Minneapolis Star Tribune
• #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023)
• 4-Time Best Workplace by Inc Magazine
• Best Places to Work by Milwaukee Business Journal

Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged and loves coming to work.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $60,000 - $95,000 annual salary (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401k plan with employer contribution.
• Ancillary Benefits: Company-paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company-paid long-term disability, company-paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance.
• Perks: Monthlyauto allowance, company-provided phone, and laptop.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, and regular company and team outings.

Interview Process

Our process typically includes three conversations (phone and in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.

Pre-Employment Screening

Drug screen and background check required.

Other Items to Note

• Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.).We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

• We are only considering local candidates at this time. We are unable to provide relocation assistance at this time.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based but may occasionally require visits to active construction sites. Candidates should be comfortable sitting for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, and traveling by car or plane. The ability to lift up to 20 pounds is needed to move materials or equipment as required. Regular use of hands for typing, writing, and using a mouse is expected, along with clear communication skills and the ability to read color-coded charts and graphs. When visiting jobsites, team members may encounter dust, uneven terrain, changing weather conditions, and temperature extremes. Reasonable accommodations can be made to support individuals with disabilities.