Project Engineer

Position Summary

Summit City Steel Erection is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Project Engineer to join our growing team. This is an entry-level, hybrid position that splits time between our Fort Wayne office and active construction job sites across Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. The Project Engineer will support Project Managers and Superintendents while learning the structural steel erection business from the ground up.

With hands-on training, this individual will learn to operate a Hilti total station for anchor bolt layout, manage project documentation in Procore, assist with safety compliance, and begin developing estimating skills. Over time, the role will expand to include site coordination, quality control support, and collaboration with design, fabrication, and construction teams. We will invest in training you — what we need from you is a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn.

This role is ideal for a recent college graduate or someone with one to two years of construction experience who is eager to build a career in the structural steel erection industry. We are looking for someone who is sharp, adaptable, and not afraid to get their boots dirty.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Surveying & Field Operations

• Learn and operate the Hilti total station to survey and lay out anchor bolt locations on active job sites
• Perform field measurements and field verification for preconstruction planning and coordination
• Travel to project sites as required to support surveying, layout, and field verification activities
• Assist Superintendents with on-site coordination, problem-solving, and daily field operations

Project Planning & Coordination

• Assist Project Managers in project planning, scheduling, and coordination of steel building projects
• Learn to review structural design drawings, blueprints, and specifications for accuracy and compliance with codes
• Support communication between architects, engineers, fabricators, and subcontractors to help resolve design, technical, or field issues
• Assist with development of project schedules, sequencing, and logistics planning, including crane placements and material staging
• Learn to coordinate with fabricators on steel delivery schedules, verify piece marks against erection drawings upon load arrival, and assist with material receiving at the job site
• Work alongside Superintendents to understand erection sequences, connection details, and crane pick plans for steel placement
• Assist with coordination between concrete/foundation crews on embed and anchor bolt placement, and with decking, joist, and miscellaneous steel subcontractors on sequencing behind the erection crew

Project Documentation & Administration

• Learn and maintain project documentation within Procore, including daily logs, submittals, RFIs, change orders, and closeout documents
• Develop a working knowledge of Procore and grow into serving as a point of contact for day-to-day project management tasks within the platform
• Learn to review and track fabricator shop drawings for accuracy and compliance under the guidance of Project Managers
• Prepare and organize correspondence, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and project documentation
• Assist with reviewing material take-offs, steel orders, and vendor quotes to support procurement and project budgeting
• Maintain thorough photo documentation of project progress, site conditions, and pre-existing conditions prior to mobilization
• Assist in preparing project closeout documentation, including as-built drawings, warranties, and O&M manuals
• Support Project Managers with general administrative duties to keep projects running efficiently

Site Oversight & Quality Control

• Accompany Superintendents on site visits to observe and learn steel erection, installation, and quality control processes
• Learn to identify adherence to building codes, engineering standards (AISC, AWS), and company safety policies
• Support field crews with documentation, coordination, and communication during erection and installation
• Learn to identify potential risks, issues, or non-conformance in the field and report findings to Project Managers
• Assist with maintaining bolt tensioning logs, torque verification documentation, and other steel-specific QC records; help coordinate third-party weld inspections as required
• Assist with scheduling structural steel special inspections and building official milestone inspections

Safety Compliance

• Prepare and compile upfront safety documentation required for each project, including site-specific safety plans, JHAs, and safety submittals
• Assist with maintaining safety records, certifications, and compliance documentation
• Support the team in promoting a culture of safety across all job sites
• Participate in pre-construction and pre-erection planning sessions, including safety and quality planning
• Assist with daily pre-task plans and JHA reviews with field crews prior to the start of work activities

Budget & Schedule Management

• Learn to track project progress, costs, and schedules using Procore and other project management tools
• Assist with monitoring daily tonnage erected and crew productivity; learn to compare actual vs. planned production and flag variances to Project Managers
• Help review crew timesheets for accuracy, verify proper cost coding to jobs, and flag discrepancies
• Assist in identifying project risks, delays, or conflicts and communicate findings to Project Managers
• Support change management processes by helping document scope changes and update project schedules and budgets

Estimating & Preconstruction Support

• Begin learning the estimating process for structural steel and pre-engineered metal building projects
• Perform entry-level quantity takeoffs from structural and architectural drawings
• Assist with preconstruction field measurements and site verification to support accurate project bids
• Support senior estimators and Project Managers in developing competitive proposals

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field — OR — equivalent combination of education and hands-on construction experience
• 0–2 years of experience in commercial construction, steel erection, or a related trade (internships and co-ops count)
• Strong attention to detail and a high aptitude for learning new technology, tools, and processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Basic ability to read construction drawings and a willingness to develop proficiency in structural steel drawings, erection plans, and shop drawings
• Willingness to travel to job sites throughout the region on a regular basis
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A genuine interest in construction and a desire to build a career in the structural steel industry

Preferred

• Experience with Procore or similar construction project management software
• Any experience with surveying equipment (total station, transit, laser level) or a strong willingness to be trained
• Exposure to structural steel or pre-engineered metal building construction
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Tekla Structures, Revit, or similar design/review software
• Basic knowledge of building codes (IBC, AISC, AWS) or OSHA safety regulations
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification (we will sponsor if not already held)
• Internship or co-op experience in commercial construction

Core Competencies

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills
• Team player who is comfortable working with experienced field crews and office staff alike
• Self-starter who takes initiative and asks questions when they don’t know something
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Coachable and eager to learn with a growth mindset
• Adaptable and positive in a fast-paced construction environment

Tools & Systems (Training Provided)

• Procore for project documentation, RFIs, submittals, and project tracking (training provided)
• Microsoft Office Suite for reporting, correspondence, and scheduling
• Hilti total station for surveying and anchor bolt layout (hands-on training provided)
• AutoCAD, Tekla, or Revit for technical review and design support (helpful but not required)

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to work in both an office environment and on active construction sites in varying weather conditions
• Must be able to stand, walk, and navigate uneven terrain for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed
• Comfortable working at heights and around heavy equipment and active steel erection operations
• Willingness to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) on job sites

Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 4% Match
• Company truck
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person