Engineering Manager – Preconstruction
Position Overview
The Engineering Manager leads and oversees all activities related to the preconstruction phase of assigned projects. This role is responsible for guiding teams through planning, estimating, scheduling, procurement, and bidding to ensure projects are positioned to meet financial, schedule, and quality objectives. The Engineering Manager plays a key role in delivering preconstruction services for large and technically complex projects, including alternative delivery methods such as Design‑Build, Progressive Design‑Build, CM at Risk, Negotiated GMP, and GM/GC.
This position works closely with leadership and operations to ensure designs are constructible, competitively priced, and aligned with project goals before construction begins.
Key Working Relationships
- Reports directly to the Engineering Director
- Collaborates with Area Managers, Operations leadership, Project Managers, design consultants, and clients
- Provides leadership and oversight to preconstruction staff and support team members
Core Responsibilities
Preconstruction Leadership & Strategy
- Direct and manage all preconstruction activities from concept through final pricing
- Establish preconstruction approaches and lead strategy meetings for assigned pursuits
- Coordinate staff assignments and resource planning in partnership with leadership
- Support Operations during project transitions and early construction planning
Estimating & Cost Management
- Develop and oversee detailed cost estimates at all phases (conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction)
- Compile complete project estimates inclusive of general conditions, special requirements, insurance, bonds, and contingency
- Build and analyze cost models during design and bidding to evaluate financial impacts
- Validate that estimates accurately reflect project scope, drawings, specifications, and means/methods
- Review and analyze subcontractor and supplier proposals for completeness, competitiveness, and financial capability
Design Coordination & Constructability
- Track design progress to ensure compliance with approved budgets, schedules, and quality expectations
- Identify, document, and help resolve constructability and contractibility challenges during design
- Lead constructability and value analysis reviews to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness
- Price alternative design options and provide clear cost and schedule comparisons to stakeholders
Procurement & Bidding Support
- Assist with defining bid package scopes of work and developing work package schedules
- Participate in pre‑bid and pre‑award meetings with project teams and design consultants
- Support the evaluation of bids and make recommendations based on cost, risk, and capability
- Review subcontracts and major purchase orders prior to execution to confirm alignment with estimates and contract requirements
Scheduling & Risk Management
- Ensure a preliminary construction schedule is developed for each project during preconstruction
- Identify potential risks related to scope, pricing, schedule, and contracts and review mitigation strategies with senior leadership
- Support internal reviews such as peer reviews, bonding approvals, insurance reviews, and contract assessments
Project Transition & Performance Review
- Lead transition meetings between preconstruction and operations teams to ensure continuity
- Conduct periodic jobsite visits to compare project performance with original estimates and assumptions
- Provide monthly cost and workload reporting for active preconstruction assignments
- Manage assigned preconstruction efforts in alignment with departmental budgets
Client & Business Development Support
- Serve as a technical and preconstruction liaison to clients and architects/engineers
- Participate in client meetings, presentations, and milestone events as needed
- Assist in identifying future work opportunities and communicate leads to Sales and Marketing
- Coordinate the preparation of owner-facing documents such as GMP submissions and design development estimate packages
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Supervise, mentor, and develop preconstruction personnel
- Actively participate in company initiatives focused on process improvement and best practices
- Support and contribute to Personal Development Plans (PDPs) for team members
- Stay current on construction methods, materials, labor trends, costs, and industry changes
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Enforce all company policies, procedures, and standards
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and company safety and environmental regulations
- Uphold company quality standards across all preconstruction activities
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Licenses & Certifications
- Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license required
Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Experience using CADD systems
- Working knowledge of CPM scheduling tools
