Assistant Construction Materials Project Manager

SME; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with profit sharing

Bonuses and wage evaluations

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

SMEUSA in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking an Assistant Construction Materials Project Manager to observe construction activities, test material properties, and provide engineering consulting under the supervision of Professional Engineers.

You will support project managers, manage field investigations, communicate with clients, and help prepare reports and testing documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering required.
• Experience in construction materials testing preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to interpret surveys and maps.

Responsibilities

• Observe construction activities and document field observations.
• Perform testing and evaluation of materials and tests.
• Coordinate with project managers and clients on site.
• Prepare reports and assist with proposals and project set-up.
• Maintain equipment and follow safety protocols.

Skills

Field observations

MS Office

Client communication

Project coordination

Safety awareness

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Assistant Construction Materials Project Manager

Job Category: Technical

Requisition Number: ASSIS001710

• Posted : October 13, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA

Description

Description

The Opportunity:

A Civil Engineer is responsible for a variety of field-centric duties including observing construction activities, testing material properties, and providing engineering consulting on projects of increasing complexity. You will play a key role in assisting our clients to successfully execute their projects. As a Civil Engineer you will work under the direct supervision of registered Professional Engineers and other industry experts. You will be given autonomy to execute in-depth evaluations, troubleshoot complex issues, and make recommendations with the support of the Project Mangers.

Responsibilities:

• Familiarity with practices related to building and pavement construction projects and construction material testing and evaluation services.
• These services include but are not limited to foundation subgrade evaluations, shallow and deep foundation construction observations, earth retention system construction reviews, concrete reinforcing steel reviews, pavement subgrade evaluations, masonry construction observations, and soil and concrete testing services.
• Receiving introduction to SME professional practices such as: Proposal preparation; Project registration; Project set-up; Assigning lab tests; Letters/report preparation; and Interaction with other groups and office locations.
• Client maintenance, particularly in support of our CMS group in conjunction with members of our business development team. This includes but is not limited to: client/project inquiries; negotiating professional service fees; and following up after projects have been completed; Maintaining testing equipment, while in use, in such a state as to prevent failure, degradation, or erroneous test results.
• Interaction and project assignments with other SME service groups and offices; and Participation as an active team member in the continual improvement of our services, procedures, and operational functions.

Requirements:

• Has competency using computer operating systems and MS Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to effectively interact with clients, team members, and supervisors, conveying technical information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize, manage workloads, maintain accurate and detailed record-keeping skills, documenting field observations, safety concerns, and problem resolutions.
• Effective interpersonal skills to build rapport with clients and team members, fostering positive working relationships, customer-centric approach to provide excellent service to clients, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.
• Must be able to understand and adapt to change and react productively to frequent interruptions and changing conditions.
• Basic construction competencies including ability to determine location from surface features and landmarks by interpretation from surveys, road maps, aerial photos, topographic maps, and geologic maps; understanding construction stakes set by others, and color markings of utility companies.
• Has a general aptitude for identifying and resolving complex technical problems in the field, utilizing critical thinking and logical reasoning.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring safety and security in all aspects of work, strict adherence to safety protocols and guidelines, fostering a safe working environment for yourself and others.
• Ability to handle physical demands, such as lifting (up to 50lbs repetitively), walking on uneven ground frequently, and carrying equipment, working in various weather conditions, and traveling to different locations.

SME's Core Values:

• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect
• Selfless Service
• Teamwork
• Practical Solutions

At SME, we believe that taking care of our employees is the cornerstone of our success. Our commitment to your well-being goes beyond a job- it is about helping you thrive both personally and professionally. We offer a benefits package that is not simply meeting an expectation, but a key component of your overall job satisfaction. The following list highlights many of the benefits SME offers its employees.

• SME provides Medical, Dental, and Vision after 30 days of employment.
• SME covers the premium cost of medical insurance so that you and your families never have to worry about the costs of healthcare.
• Yearly profit sharing that goes directly into your 401k
• Yearly performance bonuses
• Yearly wage evaluations
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Competitive Paid Time Off

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities