Associate Project Engineer- Construction Services- Early Career Rotational Program

jgmusa; Downingtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical, Vision & Dental

PTO & Holidays

401(k) + Matching

Life Insurance

Short/Long Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Generous Referral Program

Training and Further Education

Job summary

JGM is seeking recent engineering graduates for an 18‑month rotational program designed to launch your career in industrial construction. You will gain exposure to Estimation, Project Management, and Field Engineering within our steel fabrication and construction sectors, rotating through departments to build broad, hands‑on experience.

Travel is required for field assignments up to six months, with mentorship from senior professionals and structured rotations across Estimator, Project Engineer,

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree required in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Experience in steel fabrication or manufacturing is a plus but not required.
• Must be a critical thinker and problem solver.
• Must be available to work in a high-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for materials and labor.
• Support with procurement and contract documentation (RFIs, change orders).
• Assist project managers in overseeing projects from inception to completion.
• Coordinate vendor and subcontractor interactions and ensure safety compliance.
• Document lessons learned and participate in continuous improvement.

Education

BS in Industrial Engineering

BS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Manufacturing Engineering

BS in Civil/Structural Engineering

Job description

Program Overview

The JGM Engineering Graduate Rotational Program is a comprehensive 18‑month initiative designed to provide recent engineering graduates with hands‑on experience to help launch their career in industrial construction. Participants will gain exposure to Estimation, Project Management, and Construction under the guidance of industry experts, preparing them for future leadership roles within our company on the construction side of the business by rotating through the departments within JGM (not necessarily in this order).

NOTE: This role requires the individual to be available to travel for up to 6 months at a time to support construction projects in the field.

Rotation 1: Estimator (6 Months)

Supervisor: Senior Estimator

Objective: Develop skills in project cost estimation by assisting senior estimators with real‑world projects in the steel fabrication and construction sectors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for materials and labor.
• Use estimation software to develop accurate cost models.
• Engage with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain pricing.
• Build detailed project cost breakdowns and bids.
• Collaborate with sales and project teams during the pre‑construction phase.

Skills Developed:

• Proficiency in estimation tools (Bluebeam, Salesforce, Excel, Tekla EPM).
• Understanding of cost management and budgeting.
• Risk assessment and bid proposal preparation.
• Sales and marketing.

Outcome: Participants will gain critical insight into how cost estimation influences project bids and profitability.

Rotation 2: Project Engineer (6 Months)

Supervisor: Project Manager

Objective: Assist project managers in overseeing projects from inception to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in project scheduling and resource planning.
• Monitor progress, addressing delays and reporting on milestones.
• Support coordination between design, fabrication, and construction teams.
• Assist with procurement and contract documentation (RFIs, change orders).
• Manage budgets, resources, and deliverables.
• Coordinate vendor and subcontractor interactions.
• Communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders.
• Conduct risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with field teams to ensure projects are executed safely and efficiently.
• Participate in client meetings and site visits.
• Document lessons learned during each rotation to present at the end of the program.
• Embrace continuous improvement and feedback to grow technical and leadership skills.

Skills Developed:

• Project management tools (Microsoft Project, ERP systems, Excel, ProCore).
• Experience in managing timelines and resources.
• Inter‑team collaboration and communication.
• Customer management and communication.

Outcome: Participants will understand the full project lifecycle and develop the ability to oversee multiple aspects of project execution.

Rotation 3: Field Engineer (6 Months)

Supervisor: Superintendent

Objective: Work on‑site under the supervision of a superintendent to gain practical field experience in the assembly and installation of steel structures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct on‑site inspections and quality control.
• Coordinate with trades and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Troubleshoot technical issues on‑site and report to project management.
• Assist with logistics planning and material coordination.
• Implement safety standards and procedures.
• Control documentation and reporting.
• Troubleshoot real‑time challenges during construction.
• Lead and work within a team in fast‑paced environments.
• Participate in the good‑catch program.

Skills Developed:

• Practical field experience in industrial construction and steel structure installation.
• On‑site problem‑solving and team coordination.
• Safety management and compliance enforcement.
• Understanding how projects come together.

Outcome: Gain hands‑on experience in fieldwork, learning how site conditions and real‑time decisions impact project delivery and how critical it is to provide all details to the field so they can execute.

Program Benefits

• Comprehensive training across three core areas of industrial construction.
• Mentorship: One‑on‑one guidance from senior professionals in each department.
• Career path exploration: Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers as estimators, project engineers, or superintendents.

Completion

Upon completing the program, participants will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the three departments, with a pathway to permanent positions at JGM.

Education & Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Experience in steel fabrication or manufacturing is a plus but not a requirement.
• Must be a critical thinker and problem solver.
• Must be available to work in a high‑paced, dynamic work environment.

Benefits

• Participate in the company’s yearly performance bonus program.
• Medical, Vision & Dental.
• PTO & Holidays.
• 401(k) + Matching.
• Life Insurance.
• Short/Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous Referral Program.
• Training and Further Education.

This job description is subject to change based on the needs of the business and is not all‑inclusive.

JGM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.