Assistant Project Manager

RK Industries; El Mirage (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

RK Industries is staffing up in Phoenix for a multi-year data center project and is hiring two Assistant Project Managers to run alongside senior PMs and field leadership. This 2-year, full-time, on-site assignment in Phoenix (El Mirage) offers hands-on experience from mobilization through closeout.

Ideal candidates have 1–4 years in mechanical/MEP construction, a related bachelor’s degree, and proficiency with RFIs, submittals, change orders, buyout, and pay apps.

Qualifications

• 1–4 years of mechanical or MEP construction experience in a Project Engineer, APM, or similar role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• On-site, full-time in Phoenix (El Mirage) for the 2-year assignment.
• Proficiency with RFIs, submittals, change orders, buyout, and pay applications.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operations alongside the PM and field leadership on the data center build.
• Manage the submittal process for the mechanical scope, including review, approval, and log maintenance.
• Coordinate procurement and buyout to meet or beat aggressive schedule and budget targets.
• Establish, monitor, and update project schedules against milestones.
• Lead pre-construction turnover meetings for assigned scopes of work.

Skills

RFIs/Submittals

Change orders

Budget & scheduling

Field coordination

Education

B.S. in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Project

Job description

RK Industries is a second-generation, family-owned business led by brothers Rick and Jon Kinning. Seven specialized business units - construction, manufacturing, custom fabrication, and building services - work in close coordination to deliver hands-on work from concept through closeout.

About the Role

Build the career. Build the mission-critical projects powering the Southwest. RK is staffing up in Phoenix for a multi-year project, and we're hiring two Assistant Project Managers (APMs) to run alongside our senior PMs and field leadership from mobilization through closeout. This is a 2-year field-based assignment in Phoenix (El Mirage to be exact) - you'll be on the jobsite, in the trailer, and in the work every day. If you want mission-critical mechanical construction experience on your resume, a clear runway from APM to PM inside a second-generation, family-owned business that self-performs the work, this is that seat.

Responsibilities

Project Execution & Operations

• Support day-to-day operations alongside the PM and field leadership on the data center build.
• Manage the submittal process for the mechanical scope, including review, approval, and log maintenance.
• Coordinate procurement and buyout with purchasing to meet or beat aggressive schedule and budget targets.
• Establish, monitor, and update project schedules against mission-critical milestones.
• Lead pre-construction turnover meetings for assigned scopes of work.

Financials & Controls

• Support budget development, cost control, and financial forecasting.
• Price, negotiate, and process change conditions and change orders.
• Maintain the schedule of values, optimize cash flow, and drive retention release.
• Collect progress billings and receivables on or before due dates.
• Review and approve subcontractor and supplier invoices to submit monthly contract valuations on time.

Contracts & Compliance

• Assist with contract review, processing, and execution to protect RK and client interests.
• Support subcontract negotiation, preparation, and execution.
• Ensure all necessary permits and licenses are secured and posted.

Field & Resource Coordination

• Track labor resource loading, productivity, and field staffing.
• Serve as the bridge between the trailer and the field to align foremen, superintendents, and subcontractors.
• Manage tool and rental equipment utilization, ensuring unused items are promptly returned.

Qualifications

Experience:

1-4 years of mechanical or MEP construction experience as a Project Engineer, APM, or in an equivalent field-to-office role.

Location:

Willingness to be on-site full-time in Phoenix (El Mirage specifically) for the 2-year assignment. This is not a hybrid or remote role.

Technical Skills:

Proficiency in managing RFIs, submittals, change orders, buyout, and pay applications for personally owned scopes.

Software:

Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, and MS Project, or the ability to learn them quickly.

Communication:

Strong construction vernacular to communicate credibly with field staff, subcontractors, and owners.

Detail-Oriented:

Sharp attention to detail, robust follow-through, and the judgment to advance multiple priorities simultaneously.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

Experience with data centers, mission-critical projects, or large-scale industrial mechanical systems is a strong plus.

Why this project, why RK

• Mission-critical resume line - data center work is where the mechanical industry is going; get in early
• Self-perform mechanical work - you'll see the trade up close, not from behind a laptop
• Safety first, always - Health, Safety, & Environmental
• Recognized industry leader - Accreditations & Recognition
• RK University and Apprenticeship - real career development, not a slide deck - RK University | Apprenticeship
• Community investment - RK Foundation

Equal Opportunity Statement

RK Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion.