Project Engineer - Kelso Southwest

Kelso Industries; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Career development opportunities

Exposure to complex projects

Opportunities across Kelso Industries

Job summary

Kelso Southwest (KSW) in Phoenix seeks a Project Engineer – Mechanical Construction to support planning and delivery of mechanical construction projects from preconstruction through commissioning and closeout. You will work with PMs, superintendents, BIM/VDC, vendors, and trade partners, taking ownership of scopes, documentation, procurement, and coordination.

This role offers exposure to lifecycle activities and a clear path toward Assistant PM and PM roles within a dynamic, safety-driven team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Two to five years of project engineering, field engineering, or related construction experience preferred.
• Commercial mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, piping, mission-critical, or data-center construction experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical submittals.
• Working knowledge of RFIs, submittals, procurement, change orders, project schedules, and closeout requirements.
• Ability to evaluate project information, identify issues, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, accountable, and collaborative approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar construction technology preferred.
• Ability to visit active construction sites and comply with all safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of assigned project scopes, deliverables, documentation, and action items.
• Review drawings, specifications, contracts, and scope documents to identify discrepancies, risks, and coordination requirements.
• Prepare, review, submit, and track RFIs, submittals, change documentation, and project correspondence.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen, BIM/VDC teams, subcontractors, vendors, engineers, and general contractors.
• Manage the submittal process for assigned scopes, including technical review, approval tracking, resubmissions, equipment releases, and field distribution.
• Support procurement by developing bid comparisons, reviewing vendor proposals, coordinating equipment selections, and tracking long-lead materials.
• Review equipment and material selections for compliance with project specifications, budgets, schedules, and installation requirements.
• Maintain accurate RFI, submittal, procurement, equipment, change-order, and project action-item logs.
• Assist with project schedules, look-ahead planning, milestone tracking, and coordination of material and equipment requirements.
• Track project costs, commitments, billing information, forecast inputs, and potential scope changes.
• Identify scope changes and assist with pricing, documenting, submitting, and tracking change orders.
• Participate in project meetings and ensure assigned decisions, commitments, and follow-up items are completed.
• Provide timely technical and coordination support to field leadership.
• Review shop drawings, coordination drawings, installation requirements, and field conditions for constructability and scope compliance.
• Visit active jobsites to verify progress, support field coordination, and help resolve project issues.
• Identify potential schedule, cost, procurement, and coordination risks and recommend solutions to project leadership.
• Support quality-control activities, inspections, testing, commissioning, punch-list completion, and corrective-action tracking.
• Coordinate project turnover and closeout documentation, including as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, training records, and commissioning documents.
• Follow all KSW and project-specific safety policies and promote a culture in which safety is a shared responsibility.

Skills

Reading drawings

Coordination

Communication

Time management

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Microsoft 365

Job description

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Project Engineer – Mechanical Construction (MEP)

About KSW

Kelso Southwest is a fast-growing mechanical contractor serving complex commercial, industrial, and mission-critical projects throughout the Southwest. Backed by Kelso Industries, a national MEP+ platform, KSW combines the entrepreneurial environment of a growing local company with the resources, capabilities, and career opportunities of a larger organization.

Our Phoenix team specializes in HVAC, plumbing, piping, design-build, and mission-critical/data-center construction. As KSW continues to grow, our employees have the opportunity to work closely with experienced leaders, take meaningful ownership, and help shape how the business operates.

About The Role

The Project Engineer supports the planning and delivery of mechanical construction projects from preconstruction through commissioning and closeout.

Working alongside Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen, BIM/VDC teams, vendors, and trade partners, the Project Engineer takes ownership of assigned project scopes, documentation, procurement activities, and coordination requirements.

This position is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants broad exposure to the project lifecycle and a clear career path toward Assistant Project Manager and Project Manager.

What You’ll Do

• Take ownership of assigned project scopes, deliverables, documentation, and action items.
• Review drawings, specifications, contracts, and scope documents to identify discrepancies, risks, and coordination requirements.
• Prepare, review, submit, and track RFIs, submittals, change documentation, and project correspondence.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen, BIM/VDC teams, subcontractors, vendors, engineers, and general contractors.
• Manage the submittal process for assigned scopes, including technical review, approval tracking, resubmissions, equipment releases, and field distribution.
• Support procurement by developing bid comparisons, reviewing vendor proposals, coordinating equipment selections, and tracking long-lead materials.
• Review equipment and material selections for compliance with project specifications, budgets, schedules, and installation requirements.
• Maintain accurate RFI, submittal, procurement, equipment, change-order, and project action-item logs.
• Assist with project schedules, look-ahead planning, milestone tracking, and coordination of material and equipment requirements.
• Track project costs, commitments, billing information, forecast inputs, and potential scope changes.
• Identify scope changes and assist with pricing, documenting, submitting, and tracking change orders.
• Participate in project meetings and ensure assigned decisions, commitments, and follow-up items are completed.
• Provide timely technical and coordination support to field leadership.
• Review shop drawings, coordination drawings, installation requirements, and field conditions for constructability and scope compliance.
• Visit active jobsites to verify progress, support field coordination, and help resolve project issues.
• Identify potential schedule, cost, procurement, and coordination risks and recommend solutions to project leadership.
• Support quality-control activities, inspections, testing, commissioning, punch-list completion, and corrective-action tracking.
• Coordinate project turnover and closeout documentation, including as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, training records, and commissioning documents.
• Follow all KSW and project-specific safety policies and promote a culture in which safety is a shared responsibility.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Two to five years of project engineering, field engineering, project coordination, or related construction experience preferred.
• Commercial mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, piping, mission-critical, or data-center construction experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical submittals.
• Working knowledge of RFIs, submittals, procurement, change orders, project schedules, and closeout requirements.
• Ability to evaluate project information, identify issues, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive, accountable, and collaborative approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar construction technology preferred.
• Ability to visit active construction sites and comply with all safety requirements.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on your first day
• 401(k) with company match after 90 days
• Unlimited paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Exposure to complex commercial, industrial, and mission-critical mechanical projects
• Opportunities across KSW and the broader Kelso Industries organization

At KSW, we build more than mechanical systems. We build teams, solve complex problems, and create opportunities for our people to grow.

We build. We solve. We grow. Together.

Why Join Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here You Will Experience

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You’ll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You’ll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business