Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager

Navigate Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Onni, a premier North American real estate developer, seeks a Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager for a downtown Chicago ground-up multifamily high-rise project. You will contribute across development and construction, touching design coordination, procurement, scheduling, and turnover, with in-house project controls guiding every stage.

The ideal candidate has 2–5+ years in commercial construction, a degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture, and strong

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years of commercial construction experience
• Ground-up multifamily, high-rise, residential, or large-scale commercial experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field
• Strong understanding of construction documents, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and project administration
• Proficiency with construction technology and project management software
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities
• Ambitious and interested in progressing toward a Project Manager-level position

Responsibilities

• Assist the Project Manager and leadership with day-to-day management of a major ground-up multifamily project
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams
• Review drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, change orders, and other documentation
• Assist with project schedules, procurement tracking, budgets, and cost reporting
• Participate in project meetings and maintain detailed minutes and action-item logs
• Assist with subcontractor coordination and contract administration
• Track project progress and help identify schedule, cost, and quality risks
• Coordinate material procurement and delivery schedules
• Support the team through construction, closeout, turnover, and punch-list activities
• Maintain organized project documentation and ensure information is communicated across the team
• Work closely with senior leadership while progressively taking ownership of scopes

Skills

Commercial construction

Ground-up multifamily

Project coordination

Communication skills

Construction software

Education

CM/Engineering/Architecture degree

Tools

Construction management software

Job description

PE / APM - Downtown Chicago - Diverse Full Service Developer

The Opportunity

A nationally established real estate developer and builder is looking to add a Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager to its Chicago construction team.

This is an opportunity to join a company that develops and builds its own projects, giving you exposure to the entire development and construction process rather than limiting you to one narrow piece of a project. The company has more than 50 years of experience and operates across major North American markets including Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, Toronto, and Vancouver.

The Chicago team is actively involved in some of the city's most significant multifamily development activity, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career in large-scale residential and high-rise construction.

Why This Opportunity?

• Work directly for the developer/builder — gain insight into both the development and construction sides of the business.
• High-rise and multifamily experience — work on complex, large-scale urban residential projects.
• In-house construction operations — the company manages construction internally, allowing team members to be involved throughout the project lifecycle.
• Career growth — ideal for a PE ready to step into an APM role or an APM looking to take on greater project responsibility.
• Large, sophisticated projects — exposure to high-rise construction, design coordination, consultants, subcontractors, procurement, scheduling, and project controls.
• National platform with a local presence — join an established organization with thousands of employees and active development across North America.
• Opportunity to make an impact — Onni emphasizes quality, innovation, sustainability, and technology throughout its development and construction process.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Project Manager and project leadership team with day-to-day management of a major ground-up multifamily project.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Review drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, change orders, and other project documentation.
• Assist with project schedules, procurement tracking, budgets, and cost reporting.
• Participate in project meetings and maintain detailed meeting minutes and action-item logs.
• Assist with subcontractor coordination and contract administration.
• Track project progress and help identify potential schedule, cost, and quality issues.
• Coordinate material procurement and delivery schedules.
• Support the team through construction, closeout, turnover, and punch-list activities.
• Maintain organized project documentation and ensure information is communicated effectively across the project team.
• Work closely with senior project leadership while progressively taking ownership of individual scopes and responsibilities.

Ideal Background

• 2–5+ years of commercial construction experience in a PE, APM, or similar capacity.
• Ground-up multifamily, high-rise, residential, or large-scale commercialconstruction experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and project administration.
• Proficiency with construction technology and project management software.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Someone who is ambitious and interested in progressing toward a Project Manager-level position.

About the Company

For more than five decades, this established North American real estate company has developed communities where people live, work, and play. Its portfolio spans residential, rental, commercial, industrial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.

The company has constructed more than 15,000 homes, owns and manages 11,200+ rental apartments, has delivered 19M+ square feet of commercial space, and currently has another 28M+ square feet in various stages of development.

Unlike a traditional third-party general contractor, the company's construction division manages construction in-house, allowing its teams to have a greater role in the complete development process and maintain greater control over quality, schedule, and project delivery.

For a construction professional looking to work on high-profile Chicago developments while building a long-term career with a major developer, this is an opportunity worth exploring.