Construction Sr. Project Engineer- Life Science

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Cannon Building in the San Diego region is seeking a seasoned Senior Project Engineer to lead life sciences construction projects, ensuring schedules, budgets, and quality meet client expectations.

The ideal candidate has GMP/GLP familiarity, strong BIM and Procore skills, and proven leadership to mentor teams while coordinating with owners, architects, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Life Science.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Procore or similar, MS Project or similar, BIM software like AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and manage project submittals and schedules; align with overall construction.
• Monitor and update project schedule; integrate material delivery schedules.
• Participate in end-of-month financial reviews and report completion status.
• Verify owner/client and subcontractor billings; manage accounts receivable.
• Lead project meetings; prepare minutes; ensure obligations are understood.
• Ensure conformance with contract requirements; negotiate terms; manage subcontractor claims.
• Control project documentation with Procore; report RFIs, submittals, inspections, and change orders.
• Promote jobsite safety; manage closeout, warranties, and operations manuals.
• Travel may be required; based in OC/LA region; travel for regional jobs.

Skills

Life science construction

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Vendor management

BIM

Education

Bachelor of Science

Tools

Procore

MS Project

AutoCAD

Revit

Navisworks

Job description

Position Summary

Cannon Building, a premier general contractor in the life sciences, healthcare, commercial/institutional, and industrial sectors, is seeking a seasoned Senior Project Engineer to lead and deliver complex life science construction projects in the San Diego region. This role is critical for managing project timelines, budgets, and quality, ensuring client satisfaction while aligning with our mission of delivering excellence across all project phases. The ideal candidate has deep technical expertise in life science facility construction, regulatory compliance knowledge, and extensive risk management experience. Reporting to the Project Operations Manager, this position also requires strong leadership abilities to mentor team members and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Core Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of construction processes specific to life sciences facilities (e.g., labs, pharmaceutical plants, cleanrooms). Familiarity with industry standards like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and technical systems such as specialized HVAC systems and lab utilities.
• Regulatory Compliance: In-depth understanding of life sciences regulatory requirements (FDA, OSHA, ISO), particularly Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards for life science facilities. Proven ability to manage compliance in cleanrooms, labs, and containment areas.
• Risk Management: Skilled in conducting detailed risk assessments for life sciences projects, with experience in biosafety and environmental standards. Proficient in creating and executing contingency plans for risk mitigation.
• Contract and Vendor Management: Proficient in vendor selection, contract negotiations, and supply chain management, with the ability to mitigate risks related to vendor performance and contract terms.
• Technical Software Skills: Proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM) for early risk identification and resolution during design phases.

Responsibilities

Project Planning and Coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and manage project submittals and schedules to align with overall project construction.
• Prepare, monitor, and update the project schedule, coordinating with the Superintendent’s schedules and documenting delays. Establish and integrate material delivery schedules.

Financial Management

• Participate in the end‑of‑month financial reviews, assessing the budget and reporting the project’s completion status.
• Verify owner/client and subcontractor billings, managing account receivables.

Leadership and Communication

• Provide leadership through effective communication with owners/clients, architects, consultants, and the project team, fostering teamwork among all stakeholders.
• Organize and lead project meetings, prepare minutes and ensure all parties understand and fulfill their obligations.

Contract and Compliance Management Knowledge

• Ensure compliance with general conditions and contract requirements, monitoring contract documents for conformance and execution.
• Negotiate subcontract and purchase order terms, oversee subcontract execution, and manage subcontractor claims.
• Deep understanding of life sciences regulatory standards (FDA, OSHA, Local regulatory agencies) and how non‑compliance risks can impact construction projects.
• Experience with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards specific to life sciences facilities, including cleanrooms, lab spaces, and containment areas.
• Familiarity with ISO standards applicable to life sciences facilities.

Project Documentation and Systems

• Utilize Procore to control project documentation and cost, overseeing the preparation and reporting of RFIs, submittals, inspections, safety reports, change orders, and related documents.

Quality and Safety Assurance

• Participate in Operations and Safety meetings, promoting and enforcing jobsite safety.
• Manage project closeout procedures, including monitoring punch list completion and preparing warranties and operations manuals.

Travel Requirements

• Travel may be required; the position is based out of the OC/LA region, with travel needed for jobs in that region as well as for meetings at our corporate location in Placentia or other areas as required.

Qualifications and Requirements

Educational Background

Four‑year college degree/Bachelor of Science Degree preferred.

Experience Requirement

Minimum of 5 Years of experience in Life Science.

Technical Proficiency

Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, project management software (Procore or similar), scheduling software (MS Project or similar) and BIM software (AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks or similar).

• Must possess a solid understanding of construction design, technical equipment, and quality systems
• Extensive project management experience, ideally in life science/healthcare or related industries, with a track record of successfully managing large and complex projects from initiation to completion.

Technical Expertise

Deep knowledge of construction processes for life science facilities (e.g., laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, cleanrooms).

• Familiarity with life sciences industry standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Understanding of building systems specific to life sciences (e.g., HVAC for cleanrooms, lab design, specialized utilities).

Technical Software Skills

Familiarity with Building Information Modeling (BIM) for identifying and addressing potential construction risks early in the design phase.

Leadership Skills

Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage and motivate teams, guide and mentor project managers, resolve conflicts, and promote a collaborative work environment.

• Strategic thinking and informed decision‑making skills, with the ability to analyze project requirements, assess risks, and develop effective strategies to meet project goals. Proactive problem‑solving approach.

Excellent Written and Communication Skills

Candidate must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective interaction with clients, stakeholders, senior executives, and team members. Strong presentation and negotiations skills to manage client expectations, resolve conflicts, and influence project outcomes.

Financial Management

Advanced skills in budgeting, financial management, and cost control, including developing and monitoring project budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring financial objectives are met. Experience in managing project contracts and subcontractors.

Contract and Vendor Risk Management

• Proficiency in assessing and mitigating risks associated with vendor selection, subcontractor performance, and supply chain reliability.
• Experience in negotiating contract terms to manage risk exposure, including clear definitions of scope, liability, timelines, and performance guarantees.

Risk Management

Deep understanding of risk management principles and techniques, including identifying potential risks, developing risk management strategies, and implementing mitigation plans to minimize project disruptions.

• Competence in creating risk assessments specifically for life sciences construction, including compliance with biosafety and environmental health standards.
• Skilled in identifying and managing construction‑related risks and contingency planning.

Construction Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Comprehensive Risk Analysis: Expertise in assessing risks across all construction phases, including design, planning, procurement, and construction.
• Mitigation Planning: Proficiency in creating detailed mitigation strategies for potential issues such as budget overruns, scheduling delays, and quality control challenges.
• Contingency Planning: Developing and implementing contingency plans for critical project risks, ensuring rapid response to unforeseen changes.

Quality Assurance

Strong focus on quality control and assurance, ensuring compliance with relevant codes, standards, and specifications. Experience in conducting quality audits and implementing quality control measures.

Client Management

Ability to understand client needs, address concerns, and foster long‑term partnerships. Involvement in business development activities such as proposal writing, client presentations, and identifying new opportunities.

Who We Are

Cannon Building is a leading Life Science, Commercial/Institutional, Healthcare, and Industrial builder, providing highly efficient, cost‑effective construction solutions with a commitment to safety and an uncompromising standard of quality. Cannon Building is proud to be a family‑owned business, celebrating its 30th year in operation. We empower our employees to take the lead in achieving their own, unique goals. Our company culture is one of teamwork, inclusiveness, growth, leadership and creativity.

We respect and rely on one another for exceptional results. We promote an environment of collaboration, enjoy working together, and celebrate the success of our clients, knowing that customer success is the basis for our long‑term success. To learn more about our work culture, visit our Company Website.

Our Mission: To develop long‑term working relationships by providing premier commercial construction services.

Our Vision: To efficiently deliver quality projects with the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Our Values: We are professional, ethical, innovative, and accountable.

Seeking a flexible, detailed oriented team player with the ability to manage multiple tasks, produce quality work, and consistently meet deadlines. Experience in Life Sciences, Construction, or similar fields is beneficial.

Compensation

Salary: $95k - $110k DOE

Offers a competitive compensation package that includes a 401(k) plan with match: employee group dental, vision, life, and disability. Medical insurance, family dental and vision insurance, and supplemental life insurance available with reasonable employee contributions; paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.