Job Description
A nationally recognized commercial general contractor is seeking a Traveling Project Engineer to join its Chicago-based team and support large, complex construction projects across the country.
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This opportunity is designed for an early-career construction professional who wants to build a strong foundation in both project management and field operations.
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The individual will begin with the team in Chicago before being assigned to a national project. Project assignments may last approximately 9–12 months, with the expectation that the Project Engineer will travel nationally for roughly the first 1–2 years.
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Between project assignments, the individual will work from the Chicago office Monday through Friday.
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Long term, the role offers two potential career paths:
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- Project Management through the Chicago office
- Field Operations toward Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent leadership
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Advancement is based on performance, development, and demonstrated capability rather than a predetermined timeline.
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Key Accountabilities
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- Support commercial construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
- Manage RFIs, submittals, project documentation, meeting minutes, and action items.
- Review construction drawings and specifications for coordination and constructability.
- Assist with subcontractor coordination, procurement, buyout, and material tracking.
- Support project scheduling and short-term planning.
- Assist with change orders, pricing, and cost tracking.
- Coordinate closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, trade partners, architects, engineers, and owners.
- Track project progress and identify issues that may affect schedule, quality, or cost.
- Participate in field walks, quality reviews, safety activities, and subcontractor coordination meetings.
- Support punch lists, closeout documentation, warranties, and project turnover.
- Maintain organized project records and correspondence.
- Develop a strong understanding of field operations, construction sequencing, and trade coordination.
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Target Project Experience
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Candidates with experience in the following sectors will receive strongest consideration:
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- Light industrial
- Cold storage
- Food or meat processing
- Large-format retail
- Department stores
- Big-box retail
- Grocery
- Ground-up commercial construction
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Relevant project examples may include large-format retailers and grocery environments such as Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, or similar projects.
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Candidates whose experience is primarily healthcare, hospitals, civil infrastructure, utilities, solar, data centers, restaurants, QSR, or small-format retail are unlikely to align with the current project needs.
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Minimum Requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
- Approximately 2–3 years of commercial construction experience preferred.
- Strong candidates with approximately 1 year of high-quality Project Engineer experience may also be considered.
- Experience working for a commercial general contractor strongly preferred.
- Hands-on experience with RFIs, submittals, drawings, specifications, procurement, subcontractor coordination, and project documentation.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively with both field and office teams.
- Proficiency with construction technology such as Procore, Bluebeam, Autodesk, or similar platforms.
- Strong initiative, professionalism, and willingness to learn.
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Location Requirement
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Candidates must currently be based in the Chicagoland area.
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Individuals who are already independently relocating to Chicago may be considered, but relocation assistance is not available.
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This is not a remote position.
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Travel Expectations
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- National travel required during approximately the first 1–2 years.
- Individual project assignments may last approximately 9–12 months.
- Company-paid travel home every other weekend.
- Per diem provided for lodging and meals based on project location.
- Between assignments, employees return to the Chicago office and work onsite Monday through Friday.
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