Project Engineer

Dean Snyder Construction; Clear Lake (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401(k) with employer match

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Dean Snyder Construction seeks a Project Engineer to analyze blueprints and prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for industrial projects in Southeast Iowa. You will start in the field to gain hands‑on estimating experience, then transition to the office with opportunity for advancement to a project manager.

The role supports engineering, contract preparation, and project management, with travel driven by project needs and strong collaboration with clients and subcontractors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field.
• PE experience preferred or 2 years field experience as PE.

Responsibilities

• Compute cost factors and prepare estimates for bids or negotiated work.
• Assist in analyzing blueprints, specifications, and proposals to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates.
• Provide engineering support, contract preparation, and project management.
• Work in the field to gain hands‑on estimating experience before transitioning to office work.
• Coordinate with job superintendent and project manager to resolve issues.
• Communicate with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to discuss estimates and scope.

Skills

Project management

Estimating

Scheduling

Contract administration

Subcontractor management

3D scanning

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field

Professional experience as a PE preferred

Tools

Total Station

Job description

At Dean Snyder Construction, you'll find the advantages of a growing Midwest construction company combined with the close-knit culture of a family business. Because we are family and employee-owned, every team member has a direct stake in our success and a voice in helping to shape the future of the company. With locations in Clear Lake, IA| Ankeny, IA | Omaha, NE we are rapidly growing.

Travel Expectations

This is an on-site position supporting projects in South East Iowa.

Travel at Dean Snyder Construction is project driven and may vary over time. This position currently supports traveling industrial projects, however future assignments may offer opportunities for more regional or local work depending on project needs, availability, and experience.

What Do We Offer

• Competitive wages and bonus structure

Performance Reviews

Six-month and annual performance reviews provide opportunities for wage increase and position advancement based on performance, experience and continued growth.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Dean Snyder is Family and Employee-Owned company we take pride in a culture that supports our people, rewards their contributions, and gives eligible employees the opportunity to share in the long-term success they help build through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Additional Benefits

Retirement savings (401k) with employer match |Comprehensive benefit package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- & long-term disability) |Weekly pay |Generous PTO program and 7 paid holidays per year.

Job Summary

Position is responsible for analyzing blueprints and specifications to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates, applying knowledge of specialized methodologies, techniques, or processes. Providing engineering support such as consultation and advice, preparation of contracts, and management and inspection of construction projects. Duties include: reviewing data to determine material and labor requirements; computing cost factors and prepares estimates for bids or negotiated work; consults with clients, vendors or other individuals to formulate estimates and resolve issues; and, provides engineering support, contract preparation, and project management. The Project Engineer is a classification which is distinguished from other classes by its responsibility for preparing project estimates and performing administrative duties relative to design and project management. This position will start in the field to gain hands‑on experience in estimating labor and material requirements, then transition to the office with a career path to project manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Duties/Responsibilities

• Computes cost factors and prepares estimates for bids or negotiated work; conducts special studies to establish standard hour and related cost data or effect cost reductions; consults with clients, vendors, or other individuals to formulate estimates and resolve issues; and provides engineering support, contract preparation, and project management.
• Preparing project estimates and performing administrative duties relative to design and project management
• Assists in analyzing blueprints, specifications, proposals, and other documentation to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for projects, applying knowledge of specialized methodologies, techniques, principles, or processes
• Work may be performed in the field under the direct supervision of the Job Superintendent or in the office under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.
• Completes shop drawing review and layout work
• Computes cost factors and prepares estimates used for management purposes, such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work, preparing bid packages, proposing negotiated work, selecting vendors or subcontractors, and determining cost effectiveness
• Conducts special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or effect cost reductions
• Reviewing data to determine material and labor requirements.
• Consults with clients, vendors, subcontractors, or other individuals to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues. Assist with three week look-aheads and developing submittal logs
• Responsible for managing a wide variety of construction projects; studies specifications and estimates worker-hour requirements to develop project schedules and phases based on knowledge of available tools, equipment, subcontractor’s scope of work and various building methods
• Provides necessary project information to job superintendent and discusses project scope of work with job project manager & Superintendent before project begin; works closely with job superintendent to solve construction-related problems and technical details; and assists job superintendent in communicating issues to the owner and responding to concerns and complaints.
• Confers with project manager, subcontractors, and owners engaged in planning and executing work procedures, interpreting specifications, and coordinating various phases of construction to resolve construction problems and prevent delays; and serves as liaison between the owner and contractor on assigned projects
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support project and organizational success.

Required Skills/Abilities/Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of construction, civil or structural engineering and project design
• Basic construction concepts, procedures, methodologies, and processes
• Project management and scheduling techniques
• Contract administration
• Subcontractor’s scope of work
• Computer systems, estimating software, and information technology
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions in construction sites; including 10 Hour OSHA certification
• City, state, and federal building codes as they relate to company projects and design-build applications
• Company personnel policies
• Performing technical research and solving difficult engineering/design problems
• Performing advanced and complex mathematical computations and analyses
• Preparing and interpreting engineering plans and specifications
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Maintaining records and preparing reports
• Inspecting projects for compliance to plan specifications
• Identifying and solving problems quickly and efficiently
• Developing and delegating tasks and projects
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, owner, and clients, etc. sufficient to exchange or effectively convey information; promote new business, resolve problems, and to receive or give work direction
• Ability to perform 3D scans and use Total Station
• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet the company’s Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) standards.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties such as those listed above
• Suggested 2 years of field experience as a PE. Exposure to hard-bid contracts.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent physical activity like climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, and using hands.
• Work may involve exposure to mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, dust, chemicals, oils, harsh weather, poor lighting, tight spaces, and loud noise.
• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally (with team assistance) and/or up to 40 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.