Vice President, Engineering & Project Controls

United Piping Inc.; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 202,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Insurance coverage

Wellness Program

401K with employer match

Profit Sharing

Generous paid time off

Hybrid work environment

Leadership development courses

Job summary

United Piping, Inc. in Duluth, MN is seeking an experienced Vice President of Engineering & Project Controls to lead Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Estimating, and R&D.

As a senior leader, you will strengthen systems and accountability to deliver safe, high-quality projects on time and on budget. This executive role involves hybrid work from the Duluth, MN or Yorkville, IL office, with up to 50% travel.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in industrial construction or related fields.
• Senior leadership experience in piping, fabrication, utilities, or energy.
• Strong knowledge of estimating, scheduling, cost control, and risk management.
• PE, PMP, or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Estimating, and R&D.
• Establish standards for estimating, budgeting, scheduling, forecasting, and risk management.
• Monitor performance and support corrective actions for safety, quality, and profitability.
• Lead preconstruction, bid reviews, and project handoffs to ensure on-time delivery.
• Foster continuous improvement and development of high-performing teams.
• Promote safety, ethics, and operational excellence across projects.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Estimating

Scheduling

Cost Control

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Business

Advanced degree preferred

PE or PMP certification preferred

Tools

Estimation standards

Project controls systems

Quality systems

Job description

United Piping, Inc . is seeking an experienced, strategic Vice President of Engineering & Project Controls to lead Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Estimating, and Research & Development. As a member of the senior leadership team, this executive will strengthen the systems, standards, and accountability needed to deliver safe, high-quality, profitable projects on time and on budget.

This role partners closely with Operations, Project Management, Field Leadership, Business Development, HSE, and Workforce Compliance to improve performance across the full project lifecycle—from pursuit and estimating through engineering, execution, closeout, and lessons learned.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Estimating, and R&D.
• Establish consistent standards for estimating, budgeting, scheduling, forecasting, reporting, risk management, change management, quality, and project closeout.
• Monitor project financial, schedule, productivity, quality, and risk performance; support recovery plans and corrective actions.
• Drive engineering excellence through constructability, technical standards, design reviews, document control, and field-focused technical support.
• Lead estimating and preconstruction processes, including bid reviews, risk assessments, opportunity evaluation, and project handoffs.
• Advance quality systems, inspection and testing practices, corrective actions, and performance reporting.
• Champion continuous improvement, technology adoption, data-driven decision-making, and scalable business systems.
• Build, develop, and retain high-performing teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and disciplined execution.
• Promote the company’s commitment to safety, ethics, compliance, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in industrial construction, engineering, project controls, estimating, fabrication, or complex project delivery.
• Senior leadership experience in industrial construction, piping, fabrication, utilities, energy, or a similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of estimating, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, productivity, quality systems, risk management, change management, and project execution.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and improving business processes and project-delivery systems.
• PE, PMP, or other relevant certification preferred.

Additional Information

This is a full-time executive role with regular travel to project sites, fabrication facilities, and customer locations—up to 50%. Flexibility outside standard business hours may occasionally be required. A hybrid schedule may be available based on business needs.

Benefits and Compensation

This role will be eligible for hybrid work flexibility based out of our either our Duluth, MN or Yorkville, IL office. The pay range is $201,900 - $252,500, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This position is eligible for annual bonus and profit sharing based on company performance in addition to other benefits that support the total well-being of you and your family.Some benefits include:

• Comprehensive Insurance coverage, Medical, Dental, Vision, and more
• Wellness Program
• 401K with employer match
• Discounted company stock (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• Profit Sharing
• Generous paid time off
• Hybrid work environment
• Growth opportunities through company sponsored leadership development courses and training

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

All offers of employment are expressly contingent upon the satisfactory completion, in accordance with Company policy, of a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

United Piping, Inc.is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, disability, protected veteran status, age, sex, race, color, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.

United Piping, Inc.complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and qualified employees with disabilities.If you wish to request reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at 218-727-7676 or by email at [e-mail]