Project Engineer

J.F. Brennan Company; Illinois; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work

Industry-leading benefits

Job summary

J.F. Brennan Company is seeking an early‑career Project Engineer to gain hands‑on experience on marine and heavy civil construction projects across the Midwest.

You’ll work with project managers and superintendents to support design, scheduling, cost tracking, and field coordination. You’ll travel extensively (approximately 80%), learn from experienced staff, and grow into leadership roles as backlog remains strong in Illinois and the region.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in construction, engineering, or a related field (internship or co‑op experience welcome).
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Interest in marine, heavy civil, or environmental construction.
• Basic understanding of construction drawings, schedules, and cost tracking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word; exposure to AutoCAD or scheduling software is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to learn from field and office teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, field‑oriented environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel to job sites approximately 80% of the time.
• Willingness to work variable hours based on project schedules.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily engineering and construction activities on marine construction job sites.
• Support project scheduling efforts, including updating master schedules and short‑term work plans.
• Help track project costs, quantities, and documentation.
• Assist in identifying and documenting change orders and project impacts.
• Prepare and distribute meeting materials, take meeting notes, and help track action items.
• Maintain project documentation including drawings, submittals, RFIs, logs, and reports.
• Assist with procurement by coordinating materials, equipment, and subcontractor needs.
• Review shop drawings and submittals with guidance from senior project staff.
• Support coordination between field crews, subcontractors, survey teams, and project management.
• Follow company safety policies and actively participate in jobsite safety efforts.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the project team.

Skills

Excel

Communication skills

Teamwork

Willingness to travel

Learning mindset

Safety and quality mindset

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Scheduling software

Job description

Start your career where you can make an impact from day one. At J.F. Brennan Company, we’re looking for driven, early-career engineers who want more than a traditional entry-level role. As a Project Engineer, you’ll gain hands‑on experience working on marine and heavy civil construction projects throughout the Midwest while learning directly from experienced Project Managers and Superintendents. With a strong backlog of work in Illinois and across the region, you’ll have the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility, build your leadership skills, and advance into a Project Manager role faster than you might at larger organizations. If you’re eager to learn, willing to travel, and excited to help build complex infrastructure projects that strengthen communities, we’d love to help you build your career at Brennan.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily engineering and construction activities on marine construction job sites.
• Support project scheduling efforts, including updating master schedules and short‑term work plans.
• Help track project costs, quantities, and documentation.
• Assist in identifying and documenting change orders and project impacts.
• Prepare and distribute meeting materials, take meeting notes, and help track action items.
• Maintain project documentation including drawings, submittals, RFIs, logs, and reports.
• Assist with procurement by coordinating materials, equipment, and subcontractor needs.
• Review shop drawings and submittals with guidance from senior project staff.
• Support coordination between field crews, subcontractors, survey teams, and project management.
• Follow company safety policies and actively participate in jobsite safety efforts.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the project team.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in construction, engineering, or a related field (internship or co-op experience welcome).
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Interest in marine, heavy civil, or environmental construction.
• Basic understanding of construction drawings, schedules, and cost tracking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word; exposure to AutoCAD or scheduling software is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to learn from field and office teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, field‑oriented environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel to job sites approximately 80% of the time.
• Willingness to work variable hours based on project schedules.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to safety and quality.

Who is Brennan?

Since 1919, J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) has delivered specialized marine construction, environmental remediation, and waterfront infrastructure solutions across the United States. Headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with additional offices throughout the country, we support complex projects from coast to coast with a strong commitment to safety, quality, innovation, and teamwork.

As a family-owned company, we take pride in building a culture where people are supported, challenged, and empowered to grow. Our teams work on meaningful projects that improve waterways, strengthen infrastructure, and help protect the environment, all while collaborating with talented professionals who care deeply about the work and each other.

At Brennan, you’ll find opportunities to make an impact, contribute new ideas, and build a rewarding career alongside people who are passionate about what they do.

Why choose us?

• We are a company voted by our employees as a certified Great Place to Work and recognized by Fortune magazine as a Best Workplace in Construction.
• Our culture sets us apart. We strive to make our company the best possible place to work. We work hard to continue to build a culture in which every individual is important and the key to our success.
• Our focus on safety and quality is unmatched in the industry, and our ability to innovate has enabled us to succeed.
• We are a family-focused company and are determined to provide a rewarding career that offers above-average compensation.
• We offer an industry-leading benefits package. We are proud to offer our employees and their families group health, dental and vision insurance plans, 401(k) program with generous matching, annual bonus eligibility and profit-sharing program.

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Staffing Agencies

J.F. Brennan Company Inc. (“Brennan”) and its subsidiaries will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Brennan, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Brennan mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Brennan employees, or to Brennan’s resume database will be considered Brennan property. Brennan will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Brennan will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Brennan’s recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Brennan will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such an agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Brennan’s Chief Human Resources Officer or his/her designee. No other Brennan employee is authorized to bind Brennan to any agreement regarding the placement of candidate by Agencies.