Project Leader 1 - Chantilly, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

M.C. Dean, Inc. is seeking a Project Leader 1 for its Security and Electronic Systems (SES) business in Chantilly, Virginia.

You will lead and manage small electrical construction projects, coordinate with customers and contractors, and ensure program goals align with budget, schedule, and performance expectations. The role emphasizes multi-disciplinary team leadership, resource planning, and effective communication with stakeholders across federal, local, and commercial clients.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Math or Physics
• Or 5+ years of experience with a Master’s degree in Engineering
• Supervise multidisciplinary program teams responsible for IT services, help desk operations, and other operational programs
• Maintain oversight of activities at customer sites in Chantilly/Herndon, VA
• Provide leadership for resource planning, scheduling, stakeholder engagement and performance management

Responsibilities

• Oversee small electrical construction projects or segments of larger projects
• Prepare project documentation, layout, and field office support
• Develop and maintain resource-loaded CPM schedule in Microsoft Project or similar
• Coordinate project kick-off meetings and forecast cash flow and manpower
• Ensure on-site operations meet budget and schedule requirements
• Prepare estimates, bids, and submittals; drive change orders and cost control
• Lead cross-functional teams and communicate with owners, contractors and design professionals
• Ensure safety regulations and quality standards are followed

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Scheduling

Budgeting

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree or Master's in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Overview

About M.C. Dean

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 9,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Why Join Us?

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

We are seeking a Project Leader 1 to join our Security and Electronic Systems (SES) business unit. As part of SES Strategic Business Unit you will be part of a team that designs, engineers, integrates, operates and maintains electronic security services inclusive of intrusion detection, access control, biometric authentication, video surveillance, audio visual, it systems, perimeter defense and command and control systems for federal, local and commercial customers across high-growth markets.

Responsibilities

The Project Manager 1 is responsible for the overall administration, organization and implementation of small electrical construction projects or parts of larger more complex project.

Responsible for:

• Assisting the project Superintendent in the preparation of project documentation requirements, project layout, and field office support.
• Developing and maintaining a resource- loaded CPM schedule with time scale logic in Microsoft Project or similar project scheduling software.
• Coordinating and running a project kick-off meeting (PKOM).
• Forecasting cash flow and manpower needs for projects.
• Reading and interpreting blue prints and project specifications.
• Working with the project Superintendent to develop a budget and cost codes for a project and assigning costs and manpower to the schedule for foreman level tracking.
• Researching and compiling submittals, pricing change orders and preparing estimates for designed projects by finishing the design and preparing a complete project estimate.
• Meeting with potential customers to present proposals.
• Understanding and following bid procedures and bid forms.
• Conferring with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, and design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, and construction problems.
• Coordinating the acquisition of major materials, monitoring tool and equipment requirements with the project Superintendent and the warehouse.
• Acquiring all required permits and licenses for projects and ensuring all inspections are handled correctly and in a timely manner.
• Overall financial management of the project(s).
• Responsible to keep the profitability at and/above budget.
• Expediting all change orders.
• Assuring a timely completion of a project including the completion of punch-list items, the submittal of accurate as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and the completion of all training and other administrative requirements.
• Monitoring project progress, preparing monthly reports analyzing the accuracy of the budget, schedule, cash flow and manpower forecasts.
• Identifying opportunities for cost-saving measures, quality improvement and incorporating best practices.
• Ensuring KPR’s are complete and all information is accurate.
• Developing a detailed equipment plan.
• Ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to.
• Reviewing contracts and customer negotiations.

Qualifications

Clearance/Citizen Type: Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and may meet eligibility requirements, including U.S. Citizenship, for access to classified information; TS/SCI with Polygraph required.

Education:

• 7+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Math or Physics preferably from an ABET accredited program or 5+ years of experience with a Master’s degree in Engineering

Requirements:

• Supervise multidisciplinary program teams responsible for IT services, help desk operations, badging and credentialing services, field support, and other mission‑critical operational programs.
• Maintain operational, administrative, and programmatic oversight of activities performed at customer sites throughout the Chantilly and Herndon, Virginia area.
• Provide leadership for resource planning, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, service delivery, and performance management to ensure successful execution of cross-functional programs and operational services.
• Coordinate with customers, internal stakeholders, and program teams to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and achievement of program objectives.
• Extensive Project Management experience managing teams and monitoring multiple projects at any given time.
• Experienced in up‑front project involvement with engineering firms,the client, and General Contractors.
• Proven track record of successful projects.
• Has Managed diverse groups on projects that involve multi‑discipline knowledge for example; Fire Alarm, Communications, Security, AV, Power, and Instrumentation.
• Prepares status reports and works to ensure plans adhere to the business requirements.
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
• Typically reports to top management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Can direct cross function teams to reach mutual agreement to meet business objectives.
• Able to work in a diverse environment, with personnel having a range of backgrounds.
• Strong analytical thinking to evaluate options and directions.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Can facilitate change and communicate effectively.
• Able to think abstractly, in both short and long term planning.

What we offer:

• A collaborative team inspired by the way engineering and innovation enhance customer outcomes, improve lives, and change the world for the better. We are driven by our core values of agility, expertise, and trust.
• An opportunity to lead and build a business with the support of an industry‑leading firm that has been in business for 75 years.
• Investment in your skills and expertise through a combination of professional and technical training programs, including leadership training and tuition reimbursement.
• Open and transparent communication with senior leadership as well as local office management.

Abilities:

• Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Identify and understand the speech of another person.

Pay Range

USD $125,120.00 - USD $187,680.00 /Yr.