Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer II Job Description
The Project Engineer II supports complex mission-critical and data center construction projects by coordinating project operations, tracking financial performance, managing procurement, and maintaining thorough documentation. This role works closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, and trade partners to ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with client expectations, while upholding construction best practices and delivering high-quality results.
Responsibilities
- Manage procurement activities, including invitations to bid, contracts, change orders, and related documentation through Procore.
- Administer and track submittals, RFIs, insurance documents, and contract-related information to ensure timely responses and approvals.
- Support project financials by managing commitments, performing monthly reconciliations, preparing pay applications, and monitoring cost tracking.
- Coordinate project setup and execution, including scheduling, permitting, and preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, and action items.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, drawings, logs, and reporting to ensure transparency and effective communication.
- Oversee project closeout activities and punch list processes to achieve successful turnover and client satisfaction.
- Facilitate clear and proactive communication between project stakeholders, trade partners, and internal teams to resolve issues and keep work progressing.
- Provide mentorship and day-to-day support to junior team members, assisting with problem-solving and promoting best practices in project execution.
- Support multiple concurrent projects, ensuring quality standards, timely delivery, and adherence to mission-critical and data center construction requirements.
- Contribute to preconstruction and estimating efforts by assisting with scope review, cost analysis, and coordination with trade partners.
- Actively participate in project meetings, site walks, and coordination sessions to identify risks, track progress, and implement corrective actions as needed.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 2+ years of experience as a Project Engineer on mission-critical, data center, high-tech, or complex MEP-intensive projects.
- Experience in preconstruction and estimating, including participation in budgeting and scope development.
- Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Proficiency in managing RFIs, submittals, insurance documentation, contract administration, and overall document coordination.
- Hands-on experience using Procore or similar construction management software for project controls and documentation.
- Strong technical skills with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems, tools, and processes.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong organizational abilities and attention to detail and accuracy.
- Demonstrated high level of engagement and an empathetic, people-centered approach to teamwork and leadership.
- Customer service mindset, with working knowledge of customer service principles and best practices in a client-facing construction environment.
- Ability and willingness to relocate or travel to Kansas City, Missouri for approximately six months and to subsequent project locations as needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working on medium to large construction projects, typically $20M or larger, is highly desirable.
- Background with mission-critical facilities, data centers, and complex MEP coordination is a strong plus.
- Construction Management or engineering degree, particularly for candidates early in their career, is preferred.
- Exposure to multiple sectors such as workplace, amenity, hospitality, healthcare, lab and life sciences, and education is beneficial.
- Prior experience with large general contractors or complex project environments is advantageous.
- Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to a collaborative, supportive team culture.
- Demonstrated integrity, perseverance, curiosity, and accountability in managing high-stakes projects.
- Comfort working in a traveling role and adapting to different project teams and local conditions.
Work Environment
This is a traveling, site-based role focused on small to mid-size data center projects. The first assignment will be in Kansas City, Missouri, with subsequent projects planned in Alabama and other locations as needed. Project teams work on site full time, with Superintendent hours typically from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and project team hours generally between 7:008:00 a.m. and 3:004:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, averaging around 40 hours per week. The role operates from an on-site trailer in a professional construction environment, using tools such as Procore and other project management and documentation systems. The culture emphasizes collaboration, empathy, integrity, perseverance, and curiosity, with team members at every level showing humility and respect, supporting one another through challenges, and staying accountable for delivering work the right way. The organization focuses on transforming spaces across multiple sectors, delivering exceptional value, and building an inclusive, innovative future for the construction industry.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $53.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.