Project Engineer

East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc.; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc. in Oakland, CA is seeking a Project Engineer in our Estimating and Contract Department.

You will bridge Estimating, Purchasing, and Project Managers, taking ownership of pre-construction engineering, validating scope, and coordinating technical requirements. You will review drawings, vendor quotes, and MasterBid information to identify gaps, negotiate with vendors, and ensure alignment with schedules and contracts.

Qualifications

• Experience in a project engineering, pre-construction, or related role within construction, foodservice equipment, wholesale, or a similar project-based environment.
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications (including Division 11 / 114000), foodservice drawings, vendor proposals, and the ability to interpret and reconcile differences.
• Familiarity with CAD files and MEP coordination concepts, including the ability to review layouts and understand basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements for equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, terms, and discounts with vendors, reps, and purchasing while maintaining professional relationships.
• Proven time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize rush jobs, and meet deadlines tied to demanded dates and install schedules.
• Strong analytical skills to compare drawings, specifications, bids, proposals, and vendor quotes, identify discrepancies, and recommend solutions.
• Experience preparing or reviewing RFIs, addenda, substitution requests, schedules of values, lead times, and project turnover packages.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and a customer service mindset, particularly when dealing with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with estimating, purchasing, and project management teams to ensure accurate, complete, and timely project turnover.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and Google Workspace applications, including Google Docs and Google Sheets, as well as experience with other business systems, including but not limited to NetSuite, AutoQuotes, and similar platforms.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, pricing, drawings, and project records.
• Ability to work full-time on an hourly basis in an office and/or hybrid environment, as required by project and department needs.

Responsibilities

• Receive and review project turnovers from the estimating team, ensuring scope, pricing, assumptions, and proposal requirements are documented.
• Compare and reconcile construction documents, including specifications, drawings, MasterBid, vendor quotes, addenda.
• Review CAD files for MEP requirements to support equipment layouts and installation coordination.
• Participate in MEP coordination and schedule management to identify conflicts and lead-time concerns.
• Work with purchasing in vendor negotiation to optimize margins while maintaining quality and schedule.
• Coordinate timing for purchase orders, balancing lead times, storage, cash flow, and project schedules.
• Assign manufacturers, fabricators, installers, and PMs based on scope and schedule.
• Review RFIs to clarify scope, resolve conflicts, and mitigate risks.
• Evaluate substitutions and VE options with PMs after turnover.
• Gather vendor lead times and identify schedule impacts.
• Issue LOIs to vendors to secure pricing and drawings.
• Collect and organize vendor drawings prior to turnover.
• Develop the initial schedule of values with estimating and PM teams.
• Prepare turnover packages with vendor selections, quotes, drawings, RFIs, lead times, addenda.
• Prioritize engineering activities based on demanded dates and install schedules.
• Provide ongoing technical/administrative support to PMs, including NetSuite entry, billing, and warranty.
• Communicate professionally with vendors and internal teams to resolve issues.

Skills

Project engineering

Vendor negotiation

Time management

Documentation

Communication

CAD

Excel / Google Sheets

Analytical thinking

Tools

NetSuite

AutoQuotes

Google Workspace

Job description

About East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc.

East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc. (EBRS) is a family-owned commercial foodservice equipment and restaurant supply company founded in 1934 and headquartered in Oakland, California. EBRS supplies restaurant equipment, refrigeration, smallwares and related products nationwide and provides commercial kitchen design, installation and project-management services.

About East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc.

East Bay Restaurant Supply, Inc. (EBRS) is a family-owned commercial foodservice equipment and restaurant supply company founded in 1934 and headquartered in Oakland, California. EBRS supplies restaurant equipment, refrigeration, smallwares and related products nationwide and provides commercial kitchen design, installation and project-management services. We specialize in the design, supply, and installation of all types of foodservice equipment for hotels, casinos, restaurants, schools, hospitals, employee cafeterias, delicatessens, bakeries and supermarkets… no need is too large or too small! We have a huge inventory of equipment and supplies at substantially discounted prices for both the professional and home chef. Give us a call, order online, or stop by one of our locations. We look forward to sharing our foodservice experience with you.

About The Role

As a Project Engineer in our Estimating and Contract Department, you will serve as the critical bridge between Estimating, Purchasing, and Project Managers. In this role, you will receive project turnover packages from the Estimating team and take ownership of the pre-construction engineering process to validate scope, reconcile project documents, coordinate technical requirements, manage vendor and manufacturer information, and prepare projects for a successful handoff to Project Managers.

You will review project proposals, specifications, foodservice drawings, MasterBid information, CAD files, vendor quotes, addenda, and other construction documents to identify scope gaps, missed items, discrepancies, and potential risks before turnover. You will also coordinate with vendors, manufacturers, representatives, Purchasing, and Project Managers to negotiate pricing, obtain lead times, secure drawings, evaluate substitutions and value engineering opportunities, and ensure projects are aligned with contractual requirements and installation schedules.

This position requires strong technical understanding, organization, attention to detail, time management, and communication skills. The Project Engineer must be able to prioritize multiple projects based on required dates—including rush projects—and ensure all engineering, purchasing, documentation, and coordination activities are completed in time to support project schedules and installation dates.

What You'll Do

• Receive and review project turnovers from the estimating team, ensuring scope, pricing, assumptions, and proposal requirements are fully understood and documented.


• Compare and reconcile construction documents, including 114000 specifications, foodservice drawings, MasterBid, vendor quotes, proposals, and all applicable addenda to identify discrepancies, missed items, and errors.


• Receive, organize, and review CAD files, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) requirements, to support accurate equipment layouts and installation coordination.


• Participate in MEP coordination and schedule management, identifying conflicts, lead-time concerns, and other issues that may impact project schedules or install dates.


• Work with purchasing in vendor negotiation to optimize project margins while maintaining quality and schedule.


• Coordinate with Purchasing to determine the appropriate timing for purchase orders, balancing lead times, storage constraints, cash flow, and project schedules.


• Assign and/or coordinate appropriate manufacturers, fabricators, installers, and Project Managers based on scope, specifications, capacity, quality, cost, and schedule requirements.


• Review and process RFIs (Requests for Information) to clarify scope, resolve conflicts, address missed items, and mitigate risks prior to and following project turnover.


• Evaluate and manage substitution requests and value engineering (VE) options, coordinating with the Project Managers team as needed after turnover.


• Gather and document vendor lead times, identify potential schedule impacts, and RFI lead-time issues when required.


• Issue letters of intent (LOIs) to vendors, manufacturers, and subcontractors as needed to secure pricing, capacity, schedule commitments, and required drawings.


• Collect, save, and organize vendor and manufacturer drawings received prior to turnover.


• Develop and coordinate the initial schedule of values in collaboration with the estimating and project management teams.


• Prepare clear, organized turnover packages and conduct turnover with the PM team, including vendor selections, quote reconciliations, drawings, RFIs, lead times, addenda, and key assumptions.


• Prioritize project engineering activities based on demanded dates and install schedules to ensure timely project execution.


• Provide ongoing technical and administrative support to project managers during execution, including technical questions, NetSuite order entry, Cutbook creation, billing support, warranty/service calls, and other project needs as required.


• Communicate professionally and proactively with vendors, internal teams, purchasing, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain positive working relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in a project engineering, pre-construction, or related role within construction, foodservice equipment, wholesale, or a similar project-based environment.


• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications (including Division 11 / 114000), foodservice drawings, vendor proposals, and the ability to interpret and reconcile differences between them.


• Familiarity with CAD files and MEP coordination concepts, including the ability to review layouts and understand basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements for equipment.


• Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, terms, and discounts with vendors, reps, and purchasing while maintaining professional relationships.


• Proven time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize rush jobs, and meet deadlines tied to demanded dates and install schedules.


• Strong analytical skills to compare drawings, specifications, bids, proposals, and vendor quotes, identify discrepancies, and recommend solutions.


• Experience preparing or reviewing RFIs, addenda, substitution requests, schedules of values, lead times, and project turnover packages.


• Effective written and verbal communication skills and a customer service mindset, particularly when dealing with vendors and internal stakeholders.


• Ability to work collaboratively with estimating, purchasing, and project management teams to ensure accurate, complete, and timely project turnover.


• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and equivalent Google Workspace applications, including Google Docs and Google Sheets, as well as experience with other business systems, including but not limited to NetSuite, AutoQuotes, and similar platforms.


• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, pricing, drawings, and project records.


• Ability to work full‑time on an hourly basis in an office and/or hybrid environment, as required by project and department needs.