Project Engineer - Mechanical Construction

Horwitz; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Horwitz is seeking a Project Engineer II to support project success by managing documentation, cost tracking, scheduling, and technical coordination while modeling our core values. This role expands on foundational skills with greater independence in handling submittals, RFIs, change orders, equipment coordination, and budget support within our mechanical construction projects.

You will contribute to field operations, subcontractor management, and prefabrication efforts, while building

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2–3 years of experience in construction, project engineering, or related field.
• Experience with submittals, RFIs, change orders, and project documentation.
• Familiarity with financial reports, estimating, and cost tracking tools.
• Knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, hydronic) and general construction practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage documentation, cost tracking, scheduling, and coordination.
• Handle submittals, RFIs, change orders, and equipment coordination.
• Coordinate with PMs, field teams, and subcontractors.
• Assist in budgeting, cost estimates, and reporting.

Skills

Organization

Time management

Effective communication

Budgeting & forecasting

MS Office

PM software

Contract review

Mechanical systems

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Coins software

Rivet

Job description

At Horwitz, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. For over 100 years, we’ve been a leader in HVAC, plumbing, electrical services, delivering exceptional service while fostering a supportive and innovative workplace. Joining our team means working with passionate professionals in a culture built on safety, accountability, professionalism, motivation, curiosity, and a can-do attitude.

We’re committed to your growth with training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities. Along with competitive benefits—you’ll be part of a company that values its employees and makes a positive impact in the community. Join Horwitz and become part of a legacy of excellence and opportunity.

Position Overview:

The Project Engineer II at Horwitz supports project success by managing documentation, cost tracking, scheduling, and technical coordination while modeling our core values of Safe, Accountable, Professional, Motivated, Can Do, and Curious. This role expands on foundational skills with greater independence in handling submittals, RFIs, change orders, equipment coordination, and budget support. With a growing knowledge of mechanical systems and construction practices, the Project Engineer II contributes to field operations, subcontractor management, and prefabrication efforts, while building relationships and fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

These responsibilitiesgenerally describethe nature of the position and may not be all inclusive:

Documentation & Contract Management

• Understand and facilitate engineer's notes on returned submittals

• Understand contract language and key terms to look out for terms to look out for

• Create proposals based on estimate spreadsheets and review w/ PM

• Manage the information in project folders, update/maintain RFIs, submittals, plans, specs, change orders, and the tracking logs associated with this information

• Coordinate delivery of equipment, storage of equipment, and knowing when to warehouse, T&H, and release items in a way that fits with the project timeline.

• Apply for permits from the city or DOLI and review with PM.

• Lead the gathering and assembly of the required closeout documents with assistance from a PM (IOMs, warranty, startup forms, owner training, As-builts)

Cost Management

• Ability to independently review quoted items for correctness and compare quotes

• Assist the project manager in putting together change orders and proposals.

• Gain experience looking at relevant financial information including but not limited to Coins financial reports, estimated work completion, subcontracts, change orders, labor projections, etc.

• Assist project manager in putting together budgets or cost estimates for plan/spec jobs or change orders, design build jobs and T&M NTE projects.

• Ability to use Coins to enter opportunities into CRM, pull estimate vs actual or other reports, enter in initial budgets or budgets for change orders.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Understand sheetmetal, plumbing, and hydronic material applications

• Well-knowledged in general contracting construction practices (excavations, soil, foundations, decking, steel, framing, ceilings, drywall, finishes and millwork) and how that relates to mechanical constructability.

• Understand ductwork, hydronic, plumbing construction methods.

• Understand HVAC, hydronic, plumbing system operation and design.

• Understand electrical requirements relevant to mechanical construction.

• Begin to understand temperature controls requirements relevant to mechanical construction.

• Master the ability to understand, interpret, and navigate drawings & specifications

• Understand where to get info and reference mechanical/plumbing code requirements, ASHRAE, IECC, ETC.

• Help coordinate prefabrication with design, field leaders, project managers, and shop fabrication leaders

• Help in the process of awarding and scheduling subcontractors

• Assist PM in commodity buyout, assessing quotes against project documents, releasing POs, and building a PO matrix

• Ability to set up trimble layout tools on a job and assist field with troubleshooting. Ability to train field on how to set up and use trimble layout tools.

• Understanding roles of Foreman, Journeyman, Apprentices; and their labor rates

• Familiarize yourself with the Horwitz office resources.

Communication & Leadership

• Contribute to meetings with customers/ownership/general contractor.

• Demonstrates the ability to anticipate responsibilities and take initiative without requiring direct instruction from the Project Manager

• Begin to develop relationships with customers, trade partners, and general contractors.

• Contribute to internal meetings such as weekly foreman meetings, prefab meetings, constraint meetings, lessons learned, etc.

• Assist PM in putting together billings (collect tool reports and rental reports) and understand the concept of accruals, retainage, and lien wavers

Schedule, Project Planning & Coordination

• Help project team create project schedules based on project milestone dates and plan documents

• Assist foremen and project manager in gathering task durations for a successful pull plan meeting.

• Assisting in scheduling labor and creating a labor curve in Rivet.

Safety & Compliance

• Ability to communicate with rigging contractor to create lift plans for safety to review and approve.

Other

• Cultivate a fun and productive work environment.

• Be an encouraging leader and mentor.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Get better every day.

Skills/Abilities:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with ability to prioritize tasks independently.

• Effective communication and collaboration with project managers, field teams, customers, and trade partners.

• Proficient in reviewing contracts, drawings, specifications, and technical documents.

• Ability to analyze costs, compare quotes, and support budgeting and forecasting.

• Growing expertise in mechanical systems, construction practices, and code requirements.

• Problem-solving mindset with initiative to anticipate project needs and take ownership.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and construction/project management software

• Commitment to Horwitz’s core values of Safe, Accountable, Professional, Motivated, Can Do, and Curious.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred.

• 2–3 years of experience in construction, project engineering, or related field.

• Experience with submittals, RFIs, change orders, and project documentation required.

• Familiarity with financial reports, estimating, and cost tracking tools preferred.

• Knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, hydronic) and general construction practices.