Project Engineer - Preconstruction

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Career training and support

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Project Engineer for a 12-month rotational program. The role involves gaining hands-on experience across multiple teams, including preconstruction, design, and project management. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a team environment. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career growth after the program concludes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction, or related fields.
• Proficiency with common business software and ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Demonstrated successful experience in the construction industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop foundational estimating skills including takeoffs and budgeting.
• Support bid solicitation, vendor coordination, and proposal preparation.
• Participate in design coordination meetings to understand system integration.

Skills

Strong leadership skills

Self-motivation

Strong communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields

Tools

Smartsheet

Salesforce

Autodesk suite of tools

Job description

Introduction

McKenney’s has been going strong for more than seven decades. Our culture values people and ideas, and we work together to deliver the most innovative solutions to our customers. We help you grow in your career through training and support, and as an equal opportunity employer, we provide comprehensive benefits and give you a firm foundation for the future.

Overview

As a Project Engineer in the Preconstruction team, you will be placed into a 12-month rotational program designed to build a strong foundation in how McKenney’s pursues, estimates, and delivers work. During these rotations, you will participate in McKenney’s preconstruction, design, virtual construction, fabrication, project management, and installation phases of a project, as well as the technology processes involved.

You will gain hands‑on experience across multiple teams and learn how Preconstruction interacts with Sales Engineering, Design, Virtual Construction, Operations, and our internal fabrication and field teams. By the conclusion of the program, Preconstruction Project Engineers will have broadened their understanding of the business, developed strong communication and analytical skills, and built meaningful relationships across the organization.

After completing the rotational program, the Project Engineer will transition into the Preconstruction department full‑time, supporting estimating efforts, project development activities, and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop foundational estimating skills, including takeoffs, budgeting, scope definition, and value engineering.
• Learn how mechanical, plumbing, and controls designs progress from schematics through construction documents.
• Support bid solicitation, vendor coordination, scope reviews, and proposal preparation.
• Participate in design and BIM coordination meetings to understand system integration and constructability.
• Rotate through Design, Virtual Construction, Fabrication, Project Management, and Field Operations to learn the full project lifecycle.
• Gain hands‑on experience with fabrication processes, installation methods, procurement workflows, and project execution.
• Learn how Preconstruction collaborates with Sales Engineers, Operations, VDC, and Field teams.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, field leadership, suppliers, and trade partners.
• Support process improvement and standardization initiatives within Preconstruction and across the business.
• Work with a Preconstruction sponsor to explore long‑term career opportunities, including the Sales Engineer pathway.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction, or related fields.
• Strong technology competency, including proficiency with common business softwareand the ability to quickly learn newplatforms, tools, and internal systems

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills, self‑motivation, and the ability to respond quickly to changing customer demands
• Productive time management to maximize efficiency and meet challenging work goals
• Ability to succeed both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and prioritization of the company’s needs to maximize profitability
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Solid reasoning, math, science, and technical skills
• Readiness to take on additional responsibilities as needed and independently manage priorities
• Exceptional work ethic and project ownership
• Integrity to uphold company values and demand the highest standards of conduct from self and others
• Persistence to attain results under adverse circumstances and conflict

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated successful experience in the construction industry
• Experience with Smartsheet, Salesforce, Autodesk suite of tools
• Strong Business Acumen (entrepreneurship counts)
• Leadership exposure (conferences, training, etc.)

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORTS

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office environment.
• Work will require construction job site visits. This will require the physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs and ladders, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, and the ability to negotiate work areas under construction.
• Light physical effort handling average-weight objects up to 25 pounds may be required occasionally.