Security Preconstruction Lead

Prime Electric; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

401k Program with Direct Benefit

Life Insurance - Employer-paid

Long Term Disability

Profit Sharing and Discretionary Bonus

Education/Training Reimbursement

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

Prime Electric is seeking a Security Preconstruction Lead to define, design, and price complete electronic security systems at the front end of projects in Washington, DC. You will translate client intent and site conditions into constructable system architectures, while ensuring clear scope and responsible cost estimates.

This is an in-person, onsite role with collaboration across sales, engineering and field teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in electronic security systems, including construction, consulting or engineering.
• 5+ years of design, estimating or pre-construction in electronic security.
• Ability to define scope and pricing without prescriptive specifications.
• Ability to read architectural, electrical, and low-voltage drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication to convey complex concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop conceptual through detailed designs for Access Control, Video Surveillance, and Intrusion Detection systems without a defined Basis of Design.
• Establish design intent, performance criteria, assumptions, exclusions, and constraints.
• Translate incomplete requirements into clear, buildable system strategies.
• Drive quality and clarity of construction documentation.
• Identify and resolve design gaps before execution to reduce cost and schedule impacts.
• Prepare, review, and validate estimates including equipment, labor, and commissioning.
• Collaborate with sales, project management, engineering, and field teams.
• Mentor team members and support succession planning.

Skills

Security design

Communication skills

Drawings interpretation

Project prioritization

Security systems experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Who We AreAt PRIME, a culture of empathy, trust, and belonging is foundational. This is integral in our approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining the best people in the industry. Our growth mindset drives us to embrace challenges and discover what sparks inspiration for creative solutions. PRIME is compelled to keep evolving, and creating new opportunities for those who perform. Our comprehensive services cover the entire lifecycle of a project, capabilities include electrical construction, service and maintenance, underground, utilities services, renewable energy, and low voltage technology solutions. Consistently recognized as one ofWashington’s Best Workplaces!

Position Summary:

As a key part of the Security Team, the Security Preconstruction Lead serves as a senior preconstruction and advisory professional, responsible for defining, designing, and pricing complete, constructable electronic security systems when a formal Basis of Design (BOD) or prescriptive specification may or may not exist. This role operates at the front end of projects—translating client intent, operational risk, and site conditions into clear system architecture, documented scope, and responsible cost estimates. While not responsible for drafting every document, this position is accountable for the results of design and construction documentation often produced by others, ensuring clarity, coordination, and constructability. This position exercises significant independent judgment in oversight, decision-making, and accountability for outcomes. Success in this role requires team collaboration, clear communication, analytical thinking, sound judgment, customer-focused problem solving, and a disciplined balance between effectiveness, reliability, and cost.

What You Will Do

• Independently develop conceptual through detailed designs for Access Control, Video Surveillance, and Intrusion Detection systems in the absence of a defined BOD.
• Establish and document design intent, system performance criteria, assumptions, exclusions, and constraints.
• Translate incomplete, vague, or conflicting requirements into clear, buildable system strategies.
• Drive the quality and clarity of construction documentation, ensuring outputs from others align with design intent and installation realities.
• Identify, evaluate, and resolve design gaps, conflicts, and ambiguities prior to execution to reduce downstream cost and schedule impacts in the field.
• Prepare, review, and validate estimates—including equipment, labor, programming, commissioning, and integration.
• Apply sound judgement to optimize cost efficiency while preserving long-term reliability and system performance.
• Evaluate alternatives and support value engineering while preserving system outcomes.
• Address customer needs framed as prevention, integration, or automation challenges, designing solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by helping customers define what they need and how systems should support real-world operation.
• Maintain clear, precise communication and consistently demonstrate follow-through on stated intent.
• Accept constructive feedback and demonstrate a continuous desire to learn and improve.
• Collaborate with sales, project management, engineering, and field teams during pursuit, handoff, and support throughout the entirety of our projects.
• Actively train and mentor others, promote capability within the team, and support succession planning and career progression for both the individual and the team.

What You Will Need to be Successful

• Strong understanding of Access Control, Video Surveillance, and Intrusion Detection design principles.
• 10+ years of experience in electronic security systems industry, whether in construction, sales, consulting, or engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in electronic security systems with involvement in design, estimating, or pre-construction.
• Proven ability to define scope and pricing without reliance on prescriptive specifications.
• Ability to interpret architectural, electrical, and low-voltage drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Proven ability to manage multiple efforts and priorities simultaneously and exercise sound judgment under ambiguity.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with major security platforms (Lenel, Genetec, Avigilon, Milestone, Brivo, Eagle Eye, ACRE).
• Working knowledge of network fundamentals (IP, PoE, VLAN considerations).
• Experience supporting design-assist or negotiated project delivery models.
• Vendor certifications or programming experience are a plus but not required.
• Functional experience in AutoCAD and or Revit sufficient to support documentation efforts when design resources are limited.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May coordinate the work of others who assist in specific assignments, providing oversight and guidance.
• Mentor and train team members.

Special Requirements/Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with minimal health or safety hazards. Noise level and temperature is moderate. Minimal lifting or climbing. This position is expected to be fully in-person, onsite. Requires operating office machines such as, but not limited to, computers, copiers, scanners, and phones.

Communication Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as submittals, operations manuals and project schedules. Ability to write routine correspondence such as letters and memos. Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to internal and/or external clients of the firm. Communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders to support project execution.

Reasoning Ability and/or Critical Thinking

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruction. Constructive thinking and alternative short- to long-term solutions must be considered. Action plans must be developed and implemented. Capacity to identify issues, propose solutions, and elevate matters as needed. Accurate documentation, record-keeping, and thorough review of project materials. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and contribute to project success.

Our Benefits

• 100% coveragefor Medical, Dental, and Vision, including dependents, withno premium cost to the employee
• 401k Program w/ Direct Benefit
• 100% Employer-paid Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Profit Sharing and Discretionary Bonus Program
• Education/ Training Reimbursement Benefit
• Paid Time off and Holiday Time Off*Prime Electric does not engage with or utilize recruiting or placement agencies for any recruiting or hiring needs. Prime hiring managers are not authorized to review or accept resume referrals from any agencies.

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.