Senior Project Engineer

KLA Industries; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Industries in Lakeland, FL, is seeking a Senior Project Engineer focused on heavy civil / FDOT highway projects. Join a marquee FDOT build with a clear path to Project Manager and a strong backlog behind this flagship program. Bring 5+ years in heavy-civil, FDOT experience, and strong scheduling and RFI/submittal skills.

Direct-hire with full benefits and a competitive six-figure compensation. This role offers mentorship and opportunity to lead critical work that shapes the community’s

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project engineering on heavy civil or heavy-highway projects.
• Hands-on FDOT roadway project experience.
• Proficient in RFIs, submittals, scheduling and field coordination.
• Degree or equivalent experience in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Proficient with PM software such as Primavera P6, Bluebeam, MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Manage RFIs and submittals end to end to keep the project on schedule.
• Drive the schedule with CPM analyses and look-aheads.
• Coordinate with the Superintendent and crews on sequencing and deliveries.
• Own quantities tracking, pay estimates, and monthly pay applications.
• Review plans for constructability and FDOT compliance; manage change orders.
• Maintain documentation and mentor junior project engineers.

Skills

Heavy civil project experience

FDOT roadway experience

RFI / submittals management

Scheduling / CPM scheduling

Field coordination

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Construction Management degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Bluebeam

Microsoft Project

Job description

NOW HIRING

Senior Project Engineer — Heavy Civil / FDOT

Lakeland, FL (Polk County)

Job Title:Senior Project Engineer – Heavy Civil / FDOT

Location:Lakeland, FL (Polk County)

Employment Type:Direct Hire Full-Time

Compensation:$130,000 – $150,000 + Bonus

Category:Construction – Heavy Civil / Highway / FDOT

THE OPPORTUNITY

Want your name on one of the most visible FDOT roadway projects in Central Florida? One of the state's top heavy-civil contractors is looking for a Senior Project Engineer to help lead a major highway build in the fast-growing Lakeland / Polk County corridor. This is a marquee project with a well-funded backlog behind it — and a clear runway into a Project Manager seat for the right person. If you've cut your teeth on heavy-highway work and you're ready to step up, this is the move.

WHY YOU'LL WANT THIS ROLE

• Top pay for the work — $130,000 to $150,000 base plus bonus. Your heavy-highway experience is valued and paid for.
• A real path to Project Manager. This seat is built as the next step up, not a holding pattern — with the mentorship to get you there.
• Marquee FDOT work. Build infrastructure your community drives on every day — the kind of project you point to for the rest of your career.
• Rock-solid stability. An established Florida builder with a deep, funded pipeline means steady work, not stop-and-go.
• Direct-hire with full benefits — medical, retirement, PTO, and the resources of a top-tier contractor behind you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Run the RFI and submittal process end to end — keeping designers, the owner, and subcontractors moving so the project stays on schedule.
• Drive the schedule — build, update, and analyze CPM schedules, spot critical-path risk early, and keep the field ahead with look-aheads.
• Partner with the Superintendent and crews on work sequencing, material deliveries, and subcontractor coordination.
• Own the numbers — quantity tracking, pay estimates, and monthly owner pay applications.
• Review plans and specs for constructability and FDOT compliance, and manage change orders and cost proposals.
• Keep documentation, daily reports, and as-builts tight to FDOT standards — and mentor the project engineers coming up behind you.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of project engineering on heavy-civil / heavy-highway projects.
• Hands-on FDOT (or comparable DOT) roadway project experience.
• Strong command of RFIs, submittals, scheduling, and field coordination.
• A degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field — or equivalent field experience.
• Comfort with construction scheduling and PM software (Primavera P6, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project).

NICE TO HAVE

• PE (Professional Engineer) license — strongly preferred.
• Deep familiarity with FDOT specs and documentation (Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction).
• Experience stepping toward or acting in a Project Manager role.