MEP Preconstruction Manager / Design Phase Manager

Trueline; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Relocation assistance

Medical and prescription drug coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Life, AD&D, and disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Mental health support

Job summary

Trueline, a leading builder, seeks an MEP Preconstruction Manager (Design Phase Manager) to lead design-phase efforts on complex commercial projects in Minneapolis, MN, on a hybrid schedule.

You will own MEP estimating, designer and trade partner selection, scheduling, design development, and commissioning planning, guiding design teams and the estimating group through constructability, cost, and lifecycle analysis—with LEED tracking and BIM/VDC integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction, Architectural, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of construction experience including 5+ years in estimating or on-site project management.
• 1-2 years as a Preconstruction Manager or similar leadership role.
• Thorough knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design phase for one or more concurrent commercial projects, including estimating, designer and trade partner selection, preliminary scheduling, design development, quality control, and commissioning planning.
• Collaborate with owners to define project expectations and critical success factors during design.
• Solicit, select, and contract designers on design-build projects.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Preconstruction

MEP systems

Design phase

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction/Architectural/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

BIM/VDC

Lean Design Delivery

LEED tracking

Job description

Trueline, one of the largest and most respected builders in the country, is seeking an MEP Preconstruction Manager (Design Phase Manager) to join their team in Minneapolis, MN, on a hybrid schedule. You’ll lead the design phase on complex commercial projects, with an emphasis on electrical systems, owning MEP estimating, designer and trade partner selection, scheduling, design development, and commissioning planning, with base salaries reaching $170,300 in Minneapolis and up to $187,300 in select markets, plus an incentive plan.

Minneapolis is the focus, but outstanding candidates in other markets are encouraged to apply, and relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate. The right person pairs deep MEP and preconstruction expertise with a humble, team-first approach and wants a long-term home at a company with work booked through 2030.

What You’ll Do as the MEP Preconstruction Manager:

• Manage the design phase for one or more concurrent commercial projects, including estimating, business partner selection, preliminary scheduling, design development, quality control, and MEP commissioning planning
• Work closely with owners to define project expectations and the critical success factors to focus on during design
• Facilitate the solicitation, selection, and contracting of designers on design-build projects
• Develop and lead the preparation and presentation of project proposals
• Build detailed design-phase and baseline construction schedules
• Lead construction planning, including the contract manual, subcontractor selection, MWD/BE participation, trade and site utilization, disruption avoidance, and owner direct purchase planning, using Lean Design Delivery principles and BIM/VDC technology
• Guide design teams to build constructability and logistics solutions into the design, and provide meaningful input on programming and conceptual design
• Lead estimating team members on the technical design side, including drawings, specifications, scheduling, and cost documentation
• Manage design-phase costs through estimate preparation, technical estimating, value engineering, life-cycle analysis, and budget management
• Secure regulatory approvals, meet risk management requirements for insurance, bonding, owner contracts, and subcontractor terms, and implement LEED tracking and analysis
• Supervise, mentor, and develop Design Phase Engineers, including work direction, performance evaluations, and hiring decisions
• Set the tone for exceptional customer relationships, gather feedback throughout design, and help identify future project opportunities

Must-Haves as the MEP Preconstruction Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction, Architectural, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of construction experience
• 5+ years of estimating or on-site project management experience, including 1-2 years as a Preconstruction Manager
• Thorough knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage systems
• Working knowledge of construction equipment, techniques, scheduling, cost control, drawings, specifications, and standards
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to build relationships and influence at every level of an organization
• A humble, team-first approach and the integrity to do the right thing when nobody’s looking
• Working knowledge of EEO, inclusive leadership practices, and affirmative action requirements
• Ability to travel up to 70% to project sites and work in the office Tuesday through Thursday when not traveling
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship

Nice-to-Haves as the MEP Preconstruction Manager:

• Electrical preconstruction, estimating, or design phase experience
• Background with an electrical or mechanical contractor
• Design-build experience, including designer solicitation and contracting
• Lean Design Delivery and BIM/VDC experience
• LEED tracking and analysis experience
• MEP commissioning planning experience
• Data center, healthcare, sports, federal, or manufacturing project experience

We Offer:

• Base salary of $113,500-$170,300 in Minneapolis, depending on experience, and up to $187,300 in select markets
• Eligibility for the company’s incentive plan
• Hybrid schedule: project site travel comes first, and otherwise you’ll be in the office Tuesday through Thursday and remote Monday and Friday
• Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate
• Medical and prescription drug coverage with vision included at no additional cost, plus dental
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leave
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a gym membership discount program
• No-cost mental health support and work-life concierge resources
• Work booked through 2030 at a company that has grown roughly 40% in most years
• A leadership role building and developing a team of Design Phase Engineers
• Opportunity to move across regional offices and business units as the company expands into new markets and industries
• A humble, respectful culture with genuine leadership, where many team members have built 30+ year careers

Trueline is an unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.