Senior Construction Project Manager - Defense Technology / Advanced Manufacturing

hughesmarino; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

In-office and onsite project work

Regular travel to project sites

Job summary

Hughes Marino is seeking a Senior Construction Project Manager to join our Orange County team. You will act as the owner's representative on the ground, guiding hardware technology, advanced manufacturing, and commercial construction projects from programming through closeout.

This role reports to client executives, manages budgets and schedules, leads project teams, reviews change orders, and ensures decisions align with the client’s goals, budget, and timeline.

Qualifications

• Senior PM with 7–10 years of experience in owner’s rep/client-side PM.
• Experience with Hardware Technology and Advanced Manufacturing projects preferred.
• Design-Build experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage external vendors and internal staff.
• Proficient with Bluebeam, MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Project.
• Strong written and verbal communication to C-suite stakeholders.
• Self-directed, deadline-driven, multi-project environment.
• Local to Orange County preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the owner's representative across multiple hardware tech and manufacturing projects from programming to closeout.
• Manage day-to-day project activities and client-facing governance.
• Develop and manage budgets, schedules, and milestones.
• Assemble and lead project teams on behalf of the client: architects, engineers, GCs, and contractors.
• Mentor up to two Hughes Marino PMs or project engineers.
• Review change orders, oversee invoicing, TI allowances, and project closeout.
• Review leases/work letters in coordination with brokerage team.
• Collaborate with advisors and client stakeholders as requirements evolve.

Skills

7-10 years PM experience

Hardware Technology projects

Advanced Manufacturing projects

Owner-side advocacy

Design-Build experience

Vendor management

Bluebeam

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Project

C-suite communication

Self-directed

Multi-project management

Orange County local

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Engineering/Architecture

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Project

Job description

About Hughes Marino

Hughes Marino is a nationally recognized, award-winning corporate real estate advisory firm specializing in representing occupiers, never landlords. Our Construction Project Management practice serves as owner's representative and third-party CM for some of the most dynamic companies in the country, guiding clients through complex projects with independent, conflict-free expertise.

We are currently seeking a Senior Construction Project Manager to join our Orange County team, supporting a growing portfolio of Hardware Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and defense technology projects.

The Role

As Senior PM, you will serve as Hughes Marino's owner's representative on the ground, acting as the trusted extension of our clients' internal teams. You'll be their eyes, their advocate, and their expert across all facets of construction. This is not a GC or developer role. You will hold the client's interests exclusively, managing the full project team on their behalf and ensuring every decision serves their goals, budget, and timeline.

This is a high-visibility position with direct exposure to client executives, technically demanding project types, and real ownership of outcomes.

What You'll Own

• Full lifecycle owner's rep / third-party CM oversight of multiple concurrent Hardware Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and commercial construction projects, from programming and design through completion and closeout
• Day-to-day management of complex, mission-critical projects on behalf of clients, with direct accountability to their executive stakeholders
• Development and stewardship of project budgets, schedules, and client-directed milestones, independent of GC or design team interests
• Assembly, procurement, and leadership of full project teams on the client's behalf: architects, engineers, GCs, and specialty contractors
• Mentorship and management of up to two internal Hughes Marino PMs or project engineers
• Change order review and negotiation, invoicing oversight, TI allowance reimbursement, and project closeout, all from the owner's perspective
• Lease and Work Letter review for construction-related provisions in coordination with Hughes Marino's brokerage team
• Ongoing collaboration with Hughes Marino advisors and client stakeholders as project requirements evolve

What We're Looking For

• 7-10 years of construction project management experience, ideally with time spent in an owner's rep, third-party CM, or client-side PM role
• Experience with Hardware Technology and Advanced Manufacturing projects is strongly preferred -- candidates with this background will be prioritized
• Candidates coming from GC or subcontractor backgrounds are welcome, but must demonstrate a genuine shift to owner-side advocacy and perspective
• Design-Build experience strongly preferred -- candidates with this background will be prioritized
• Proven ability to manage and hold accountable external vendors and design teams while simultaneously leading internal junior staff
• Highly proficient in Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Project
• Sharp communicator, written and verbal, comfortable presenting to and advising C-suite stakeholders
• Self-directed, deadline-driven, and adaptable across multiple active projects in a fast-moving environment
• Local candidates only: Orange County

Compensation & Details

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience ranging from $150,000-190,000
• Competitive benefits package and long-term career growth within Hughes Marino
• Combination of in-office and onsite project work; based out of our Orange County office
• Regular travel to project sites as required
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture