Construction Materials Engineering and Testing (CMT) Senior Project Manager

careers-kleinfelder; Ontario (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Kleinfelder, a leading engineering firm, seeks a Senior Project Manager experienced in construction materials testing to join our Southern California team. You will oversee service delivery, mentor staff, and manage budgets while engaging clients across commercial, industrial, and government projects.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in related fields and a strong PM background, with California PE and related certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in materials testing, special inspection, construction management, and/or other construction-related engineering services.
• 10+ years of project management experience with direct client interaction and ability to lead varied size projects.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Valid driver's license with a clean record and ability to pass a drug test.

Responsibilities

• Combine technical delivery with business development to expand local and national client footprint.
• Maintain high standards of professional service anchored in quality, risk management, profitability, safety, and reliable execution.
• Provide technical leadership in construction materials testing and special inspection services across deliverables.
• Mentor and guide a team of inspectors and technicians to elevate performance.
• Manage all phases of project delivery from kickoff to closeout across diverse project types.

Skills

Client communication

Leadership

Project management

Technical leadership

Construction materials testing

Inspection services

Budget management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Professional Engineering (PE) license in California

Project Management Professional certification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Take Your Construction Career to the Next Level!

Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!

Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder's Construction Services team is looking for you! From construction management and observation/inspection services to laboratory testing and materials and forensic engineering, our Construction Services market helps to develop and maintain America's infrastructure and supply chain and is a recognized industry leader with more than 25 accredited laboratories.

Step into Your New Role

Kleinfelder, a long-standing industry leader in Southern California, seeks a Senior Project Manager experienced with Construction Materials Engineering and Testing to join our Southern California team.

We're looking for a project management professional with a client service focus and technical leadership abilities to join us in meeting the needs of our diverse client base on projects throughout Southern California and the surrounding areas. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented individual with a strong background in construction materials testing, special inspection, construction management, and/or construction related engineering services. This role's primary function is to ensure Kleinfelder exceeds client expectations through frequent client communication and leading Kleinfelder's service delivery team, planning and execution of technical work, and monitoring and controlling project budgets to deliver services while working to expand our client base. This role offers a dynamic work environment, the opportunity to work on multiple high-profile projects, and to be part of an industry leading company.

Position Responsibilities:

• Combine exceptional technical delivery with strategic business development to expand our footprint in local markets while supporting national clients with confidence and agility.
• Uphold a high standard of professional service rooted in quality, risk management, profitability, client satisfaction, safety, and reliable execution.
• Provide strong technical leadership in construction materials testing and special inspection services, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and excellence across all deliverables.
• Inspire, mentor, and guide a team of inspectors and technicians—supporting their growth, sharpening their skills, and elevating overall team performance.
• Take charge of every phase of project delivery—from kickoff to closeout—across a dynamic mix of commercial, industrial, government, energy, and institutional projects.

• Communicate with clients, staff, and supervisors to successfully and profitably deliver construction services on a consistent basis.
• Prepare cost estimates, quantity take-offs, and technical proposals.
• Lead pursuit teams and prepare Statements of Qualifications.
• Lead project and service delivery teams.
• Maintain a client base.
• Coordinate work to assure projects/contracts are properly managed thereby assuring budgets and schedules are met and work product meets both client's needs and Kleinfelder's standards.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance for staff.

Position Requirements:

• 15+ years of experience in materials testing, special inspection, construction management, and/or other construction-related engineering services.
• 10+years of project management experience, including responsibility for direct client interaction, as well as the ability to plan, organize, execute, and direct various size projects.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member, maintaining composure and working effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and ability to pass a drug test.
• Able to use a company provided laptop or tablet computer and a working knowledge of MS Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• A good work ethic, attention to detail, and high level of personal integrity.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

In addition to the above position requirements, hiringpreferencewill be given to those candidates with the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a construction related field.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license in the State of California.
• Project Management Professional certification.
• Applicable construction inspection and testing experience and certifications from the American Concrete Institute (ACI), International Code Council (ICC), National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), the American Welding Society (AWS), and/or local inspection credentials from governing jurisdictions.

Move Forward with Kleinfelder

Kleinfelder has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients' transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 85 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia.Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose - together, we deliver.

Progress with an Employer that Values You

Kleinfelder is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that throughdiversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:

Benefits: Kleinfelder offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range:$150,000 - $175,000 annually

Career Development:We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.

Equal Opportunity:Kleinfelder is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules).

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with theCalifornia Pay Scale Disclosure Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience (as detailed above).

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that Kleinfelder does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.