Construction Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Join our team! Our mission is BUILDING COMMUNITIES. IMPROVING LIVES. With a history spanning over 110 years, HR Green has consistently delivered on this mission, establishing alike. Each day, we work to find solutions that inspire our employees and fit our clients' needs to build trust to exceed their expectations. Our people are the heart of our success. We've earned national recognition, including being named a Great Place to Work and consistently ranking on Engineering News Record's Top 500 Design Firms in the United States and we're still growing!

Summary

As a Construction Engineer, you'll be at the heart of turning transportation projects from plans into reality. Serving as a trusted advisor to clients, contractors, and project stakeholders, you'll coordinate teams, evaluate structural, material, and design conditions, and apply your technical expertise to solve complex construction challenges. Acting as the bridge between design and execution, you'll monitor progress, ensure quality and compliance, and provide informed recommendations that keep projects moving safely, efficiently, and on schedule. This role offers the opportunity to lead project delivery, mentor staff, build lasting client relationships, and make critical decisions that drive successful outcomes. Your expertise will directly contribute to building infrastructure that meets client expectations, serves communities, and stands the test of time—all while offering opportunities for continued professional growth with a nationally recognized engineering firm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Understands and interprets local, state, and/or federal Standard Specifications and Procedures.
• Answers questions from the contractor and exercises independent judgment when making decisions to apply standards or modify construction plans to fit actual field conditions.
• Mediates disputes that arise from the interpretation or enforcement of standards.
• Utilizes subject matter expertise to identify the root cause of construction defects caused by design flaws, material quality, material installation, or site condition. Addresses complex concerns such as closing roadways, recommending substitute materials, and utility relocation. Proactively advises client and contractor on the recommended course of action to resolve problems.
• Develop cost-effective solutions to project-related issues and present them to the client and key stakeholders.
• Provides counsel to the client and key stakeholders regarding new approaches and to address problems, materials and methods that could contribute to a better project outcome, speed up the construction schedule, mitigate potential future risk, contribute to an efficient jobsite, or save money.
• Acts as a business partner to build and foster ongoing relationships with clients.
• Communicates with client and contractor to make recommendations and resolve challenges related to the project schedule, plan changes, and additional costs. Mediates project related matters with the contractor on behalf of the client.
• Communicates project updates to the public on behalf of the client via social media or project websites.
• Responsible for the financial stewardship of the client by interpreting quality control checks, assisting in the development of the pay estimate, quantifying pay items on projects and settling accounting disputes with the contractor on behalf of our client. Can use independent discretion to withhold payment from the contractor on work that does not conform to specs.
• Observes and documents the contractor’s work to record that it is being completed in conformance with the plans and specifications, contract documents, and applicable local, state, and/or federal regulatory requirements.
• Performs quality assurance checks and advises contractor of the best course of action when work or materials are not in compliance with requirements.
• Analyzes and resolves work problems, including client, contractor, or public complaints and grievances.
• Applies advanced engineering knowledge of the material and theoretical properties of constructed work elements and the engineering behavior of soils, water and structures to provide guidance for quality assurance methods, procedures, standards, and technical training related to site design and construction.
• On large projects, provides day-day direction to subordinate staff and evaluates their performance.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises the work of subconsultants to enforce the project scope and approve invoices for payment.
• Leads progress meetings with the client, HR Green staff and other key stakeholders.
• Quickly reacts to complex situations with the client or projects as they arise. Makes on the spot decisions using independent discretion and judgment.
• Performs yield checks, depth checks, and utility testing. Performs basic construction layout work (including bench circuits and providing line and grade for various construction elements). Additionally, be proficient in the use of computers and word processing software (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Maintains neat and accurate project documentation (field book notes and measurements, field reports, project binders, etc.) for small projects. Prepares project records for formal audits by funding agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or equivalent in Engineering is required. A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is preferred.
• 5-10 years of related Construction observation experience working with moderately complex construction plans is preferred.
• Familiarity with documentation requirements and inspection procedures is preferred.
• DOT and Toll Road experience is preferred.
• Excellent time management, communication, and technical skills are required.
• Must have received training on equipment commonly used in the generation of engineering-related tests and analysis.
• Must possess knowledge of MS Office suite of products.
• Must have strong supervisory skills and previous supervisory experience is strongly preferred.
• May be assigned to projects requiring longer than normal commute times to and from the job site.
• P.E. license is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license in the state of residence and a reliable means of transportation to travel for company business.
• Must possess strong technical verbal and technical writing skills, and be able to read technical literature and engineering/construction plans. Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders.

Relationship To Others and Authority

The position reports directly to the Construction Manager with the day-to-day direction of Project Engineers, Project Managers or other staff for assigned projects. As an extension of the client, this position is authorized to make significant decisions on their behalf (change plans, specs, quantities, pay items,). This position is authorized to exercise a high degree of discretion when working with the client, contractor and public. May make and implement decisions impacting the project or stakeholder relations without direction from a supervisor. Decisions made can significantly affect a company or client’s ability to realize financial loss or gain on a project. Can authorize work stoppages, refuse payment to contractors and alter the contractor's schedule upon approval from the client.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, snow, rain) for extended periods of time and stand for 8 to 12 hours per day. This work requires standing on uneven terrain. Employees must also be able to and lift and move a minimum of 30 lbs. (concrete cylinders), sit, walk, talk, hear, and reach with hands or arms. Hand eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and other office equipment as required. The employee is also required to kneel, crouch, and bend. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package. Visit our website for detailed total rewards information.

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HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.