Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager

Elite Earthworks and Engineering; Murrieta (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Sick leave

7 paid holidays

Continuing education support

Job summary

Elite Earthworks and Engineering in Murrieta, CA is hiring a Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager, office-based full-time. The role combines field-ready project engineering with scheduling and subcontract management, offering a path to project management.

You will review plans, coordinate with foremen, support estimating, and manage change orders. Ideal candidates have 2+ years in similar roles and a strong background in civil earthwork.

Qualifications

• 2+ years as a Project Engineer, APM, Field Engineer, or Project Coordinator in construction.
• Ability to read civil and grading plans, specs, and geotechnical reports.
• Working knowledge of RFIs, submittals, change orders, and billing.
• Strong math (geometry and algebra), organization, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and Bluebeam or Adobe.
• Valid California driver's license. Safe driving record.

Responsibilities

• Review plans, specs, addenda, and soils reports for scope and site risks; apply shrink and compaction factors to import/export.
• Prepare and track RFIs and submittals.
• Maintain project and foreman files with current plans, specs, reports, and photos.
• Verify existing ground against site survey before construction.
• Handle Dig Alert, site rentals, permits, inspections, and testing coordination.
• Coordinate daily with Foremen and Superintendents; maintain two-week look-ahead schedules.
• Support Estimating with earthwork takeoffs and bid documents; maintain B2W Inform forms.
• Build GPS machine control models and localize sites.
• Fly drone surveys and process topo data into surfaces and quantities.
• Maintain GPS equipment and train field staff on its use.
• Prepare change order requests, estimates, budgets, and cost codes; maintain CO and RFI logs in Foundation and B2W.
• Track costs against budget and recommend actions to protect margin.
• Prepare subcontracts and purchase orders; solicit pricing and pre-qualify subcontractors.
• Track subcontractor compliance and assemble job start-up packages.
• Coordinate kickoff meetings, attend project meetings, and correspond with GCs, owners, and agencies.
• Support closeout, including final billings and retention.

Skills

Math

Geometry

Algebra

Organization

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering / Construction Management

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Bluebeam

Adobe

Job description

Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager

Join Our Elite Team

Murrieta, CA (office-based) Full-time Reports to Project Managers

Elite Earthworks and Engineering is a grading, excavating, and demolition subcontractor serving public works and private development across Southern California. We cultivate ELITE professionals who take pride in their work and set industry standards.

We are hiring a Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager. If your strength is either role, please apply. We will build on what you bring and develop the rest, with a path to Project Manager.

Project Engineer Duties

• Review plans, specs, addenda, and soils reports for scope and site risks; apply shrink and compaction factors to import/export.
• Prepare and track RFIs and submittals.
• Maintain project and foreman files with current plans, specs, reports, and photos.
• Verify existing ground against site survey before construction.
• Handle Dig Alert, site rentals, permits, inspections, and testing coordination.
• Coordinate daily with Foremen and Superintendents; maintain two-week look-ahead schedules.
• Support Estimating with earthwork takeoffs and bid documents; maintain B2W Inform forms.
• Build GPS machine control models and localize sites.
• Fly drone surveys and process topo data into surfaces and quantities.
• Maintain GPS equipment and train field staff on its use.

Assistant Project Manager Duties

• Prepare change order requests, estimates, budgets, and cost codes; maintain CO and RFI logs in Foundation and B2W.
• Track costs against budget and recommend actions to protect margin.
• Prepare subcontracts and purchase orders; solicit pricing and pre-qualify subcontractors.
• Track subcontractor compliance and assemble job start-up packages.
• Coordinate kickoff meetings, attend project meetings, and correspond with GCs, owners, and agencies.
• Support closeout, including final billings and retention.

Qualifications

Required:

• 2+ years as a Project Engineer, APM, Field Engineer, or Project Coordinator in construction (heavy civil or earthwork preferred).
• Ability to read civil and grading plans, specs, and geotechnical reports.
• Working knowledge of RFIs, submittals, change orders, and billing.
• Strong math (geometry and algebra), organization, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and Bluebeam or Adobe.
• Valid California driver's license. Safe driving record.

Preferred:

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Experience with a self-performing grading or excavation contractor.
• B2W, Foundation, Agtek or similar, HCSS, and Trimble Business Center.
• FAA Part 107 certificate.

Compensation and Benefits

• $35.00 to $50.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• Employer-paid health and dental for the employee; vision and chiropractic available.
• Paid vacation, 7 paid holidays, sick leave, and continuing education support.

Offers are contingent on a background check, drug screen, references, and proof of work eligibility. Elite Earthworks and Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on any basis protected by law.