Project Engineer

Maxim Crane Works, LP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Maxim Crane Works seeks an early-career Project Engineer to translate engineering principles into real-world lifting solutions. You will help develop crane layouts, rigging plans, and installation strategies for commercial, industrial, and private-sector projects.

The role combines office design work with field exposure, requiring collaboration with experienced engineers and cross-functional teams. Recent graduates with a Civil or Mechanical background are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
• 0–4 years of engineering experience; recent graduates encouraged.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD; basic to intermediate.
• Knowledge of structural design standards (AISC) appreciated.

Responsibilities

• Review project drawings and calculations to support safe lifting operations.
• Develop crane layouts, rigging plans, and lift plans for various projects.
• Create 2D drawings and 3D models of crane configurations and installations.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, customers, sales, and field personnel to satisfy project requirements.
• Perform engineering calculations such as ground-bearing pressure for cranes and other analyses.
• Support equipment installation planning and field observations to translate design into practice.
• Prepare drawings, reports, and technical presentations for customers and internal teams.

Skills

AutoCAD

Structural analysis

Engineering calculations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD (2D/3D)

Job description

Build Your Engineering Career with Maxim Crane Works

Are you an early-career engineer looking to put your technical skills to work on challenging, real-world projects? At Maxim Crane Works, our Project Engineers help bring complex lifting projects to life by combining engineering principles, technical design, and practical problem-solving.

As part of our engineering team, you’ll collaborate with experienced engineers, sales professionals, and field operations teams to develop crane layouts, lift plans, structural designs, and equipment installation plans. From evaluating project requirements to seeing your designs applied in the field, you’ll gain valuable experience supporting projects across commercial, industrial, and private-sector environments.

If you enjoy solving problems, working with technical designs, and seeing the impact of your work firsthand, this is an opportunity to grow your engineering career with an industry-leading crane and lifting solutions provider.

What You’ll Do

• Engineer Real-World Solutions: Review project drawings and plans, perform engineering calculations, and evaluate design feasibility to support safe and effective lifting operations.
• Develop Crane and Rigging Plans: Create crane layouts, rigging details, and lift plans for a variety of commercial, industrial, and private-sector projects.
• Design and Model: Use AutoCAD and other drafting tools to develop 2D drawings and 3D models for crane configurations, structural components, and equipment installations.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work with architects, engineers, contractors, customers, sales professionals, and field personnel to understand project requirements and develop practical solutions.
• Perform Engineering Calculations: Prepare ground‑bearing pressure calculations for crawler cranes and outrigger‑supported cranes, along with other project‑specific engineering analyses.
• Support Tower Crane and Hoist Installations: Evaluate installation requirements, review structural considerations, and help develop effective equipment installation plans.
• Communicate Technical Information: Prepare drawings, design reports, project documentation, and technical presentations for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Support Project Execution: Help monitor project progress, visit job sites, and observe equipment installations to better understand how engineering designs translate into field applications.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs require.

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• 0–4 years of relevant engineering experience. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills

• Basic to intermediate proficiency in AutoCAD; 3D AutoCAD experience is a plus.
• Foundational knowledge of structural analysis and engineering calculations.
• Basic familiarity with AISC steel construction standards and structural connection design.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and translate project requirements into practical engineering solutions.
• Willingness to learn, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and develop technical expertise.

Work Environment and Travel

This position combines office‑based engineering and design work with occasional field exposure. Limited travel is expected to visit project sites and observe or support equipment installations.

The role may require walking on active job sites, climbing, bending, crouching, kneeling, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position may require access to refinery and industrial job sites in Texas. Employees assigned to these sites must comply with applicable site‑specific safety and access requirements, including participation in random drug testing through DISA as required for refinery work. Compliance with applicable drug testing requirements is a condition of working at these sites.

Why Maxim Crane Works?

Join a team that supports some of the most complex lifting projects in the industry. At Maxim, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your education, build practical engineering experience, collaborate with experienced professionals, and contribute to projects where precision and problem‑solving matter.

Whether you’re beginning your engineering career or building on your first few years of experience, Maxim offers an opportunity to develop your skills in a specialized and rewarding industry.

Maxim Crane Works is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.