Facilities - CM Project Engineer (Cost Control) - Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm of more than 2,300 professionals that provides a full range of multi-disciplined engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT, is currently ranked #61 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Position summary: The Facilities - CM – Project Engineer is responsible for providing construction cost project estimates, cost budgets and schedules using knowledge of general engineering and construction principles. The Project Engineer determines the overall costs of new or existing construction projects by: (1) estimating cost of labor, materials, subcontracts and auxiliary services required for the projects, (2) incorporating allowances to cover for potential project risks and (3) associating cost to the projected time frame to cost codes. The Project Engineer understands the project deliverables and creates timelines for different individuals and/or groups involved to make sure the cost estimates remain on track. The Project Engineer interprets, organizes, coordinates, communicates, and executes assignments with limited supervision, ensuring work is performed and completed in accordance with industry standards, and providing support to other team members.

Essential functions and responsibilities

• Read and interpret construction documents such as drawings, specifications, geotechnical, testing and inspection reports, maps, aerial photography, topographical surveys and related documentation to prepare estimates on material quantities and project cost.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders and construction operations teams to define project scope and to develop appropriate budgets for capital expenditure on new and existing projects.
• Communicate project budget parameters to design, construction, financial teams and other internal partners to aid in planning and design.
• Communicate in a proactive way overages to broader team when necessary.
• Work with architects, engineers, construction and design teams to identify value engineering opportunities to assist with the definition of the design team’s intent to realize a more cost-effective project.
• Support finance team with necessary cost breakouts to enhance the decision-making process. Track project budget, actuals, committed funds, estimate to completion, estimate at completion and variance. Assign cost codes to standardize work values.
• Develop detailed cost estimates with relevant information necessary to track actual execution versus estimated costs. Upload cost data into developed databases.
• Perform ad-hoc estimates to support new initiatives and project development.
• Prepare order-of-magnitude, conceptual, feasibility, pre-design, budget, value engineering, control, definitive and final engineer’s estimates on assigned projects.
• Create labor estimates for assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders (vendors, contractors, engineers, construction crews and consultants).
• Write up and present budgets, reports, and project plans.
• Schedule meetings with clients, site managers, and staff. Attend various meetings, record and distribute meeting minutes.
• Communicate and coordinate with team members to ensure projects are completed by the defined milestones and within established cost goals.
• Assist with planning, scheduling and coordinating work throughout the various phases of the project. May be responsible for a portion of a large project or the entirety of a small to medium size project.
• Assist with performing quantity surveys and take-offs from contract documents and actual work-in-place.

Nonessential functions and responsibilities

• Monitor project progress to ensure work is being provided in accordance with contract plans and specifications.
• Prepare reports and logs such as inspector daily reports, cost to date, estimated cost to complete, submittals, RFI’s, etc.
• Assist with performing quantity surveys and take-offs from contract documents and actual work-in-place.
• Prepare and compile contract plans, specifications and estimates.
• Manage project sub-consultants and in-house support disciplines.
• Develop extra work order requests and open-ended contract task proposals.
• Prepare proposals as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Program Manager.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. Good organizational and time management skills. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good attention to detail with exceptional quantitative skills.
• Strong work ethic. Willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Dependable, conscientious, and well-spoken.

• Previous construction estimation and/or scheduling experience. Experience in scheduling and project cost controls in all phases of construction.
• Knowledgeable with CPM scheduling.  Experienced with Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project is preferred.
• Possesses advanced computer skills and experience to include but not limited to: MS Excel, MS Word, Data Bases, Adobe, Bluebeam and other similar software applications.
• Proactive and effective in communicating the estimated cost implications of decisions made during the design development process to all members. Proficient written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, architectural or a related field from an accredited engineering, construction management or architectural program.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration with vast construction accounting and estimating experience. 
• Certification as a Project Manager Professional (PMP) or other similar certification relevant to the job function. 

Working Conditions

Work is performed in both an office and field (construction) environment.  Office to field time is approximately 90% to 10% respectively. Field work requires climbing, walking and standing at a construction site and may be outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 50 lbs) may be required.

JMT is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity, and we are proud to be building an inclusive and diverse workforce.