Project Engineer – Underground Wet Utility

Software Placement Group; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group is seeking a Project Engineer for underground wet utilities and heavy civil projects across the Western United States, based in Long Beach, CA. This field-driven role offers early responsibility working closely with field teams on water, sewer, and mainline installations.

You will manage schedules, estimates, and construction plans, coordinate with clients and subcontractors, and help with estimating and proposals, delivering value in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in underground wet utilities or heavy civil infrastructure.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to read drawings, perform takeoffs, and negotiate pricing effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage project deliverables including schedules, estimates, and construction plans while meeting safety, quality, and budget objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on assigned projects.
• Oversee subcontractors and suppliers, including issuing purchase orders and managing subcontract agreements.
• Support field operations and work closely with superintendents and foremen.
• Track and manage scope changes, cost impacts, and schedule adjustments.
• Prepare project status reports, forecasts, billing, and cash flow tracking.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, turnover packages, and as-built documentation.
• Assist with estimating, proposal development, and business development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Reading drawings

Takeoffs

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Hard Dollar

Job description

Location: Long Beach, CA | Schedule: Full-time, on-site/field-based

Overview

A growing heavy civil construction firm is seeking a Project Engineer to support small to mid-sized underground wet utility projects across the Western United States. This role offers real responsibility early in a career, working in a fast-paced, field-driven environment on projects involving water, sewer, storm drain, utility replacements, rehab work, facility modifications, distribution systems, and mainline installations.

What you'll do

• Manage project deliverables including schedules, estimates, and construction plans while meeting safety, quality, and budget objectives
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on assigned projects
• Oversee subcontractors and suppliers, including issuing purchase orders and managing subcontract agreements
• Support field operations and work closely with superintendents and foremen
• Track and manage scope changes, cost impacts, and schedule adjustments
• Prepare project status reports, forecasts, billing, and cash flow tracking
• Develop and maintain project schedules, turnover packages, and as-built documentation
• Assist with estimating, proposal development, and business development initiatives

Required qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in underground wet utilities or heavy civil infrastructure (water, sewer, storm drain)
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to read drawings, perform takeoffs, and negotiate pricing effectively

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management preferred
• Experience with contract administration, CPM scheduling, or Earned Value Management is a plus
• Proficiency with estimating tools such as Hard Dollar preferred

Why this role

This is not a back-office role — you'll be in the middle of real construction decisions, managing budgets, schedules, and people, working close to the field and close to leadership in underground utilities and heavy civil construction.