Preconstruction Engineer

LEAPLEY CONSTRUCTION GROUP OF ATLANTA LLC•Atlanta, KS

About The Position

Leapley Construction is hiring a Preconstruction Engineer to help build budgets, estimates, and bid packages from early design through bid. Projects span corporate interiors, exterior renovations, adaptive reuse, ground-up construction, higher education, and healthcare. The engineer may support a Preconstruction Manager on some projects and independently run smaller estimates and bids with manager or director oversight on others. This hands-on role offers opportunities to develop estimating, bidding, and client-facing skills. The position suits someone who is self-motivated, hardworking, curious, detail-oriented, and interested in understanding how projects are assembled and what drives their costs.

Requirements

1–3 years of estimating, preconstruction, or project engineering experience with a commercial general contractor, construction manager, or other construction-related business.
Working knowledge of construction means and methods and how building systems fit together.
Ability to work under a Preconstruction Manager on some projects and independently on others.
Self-motivated, hardworking, and organized, with the ability to handle several bid deadlines without needing to be pushed.
Curiosity and willingness to investigate drawings, specifications, and subcontractor pricing until scope and costs are understood.
Clear written and verbal communication with subcontractors and internal teams.
Strong Excel skills, including experience with estimate templates, bid leveling sheets, and cost data.
Eagerness to learn, ask questions, and take on more responsibility over time.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
Experience with ground-up construction, exterior renovations, and occupied-building renovations in corporate, higher-education, or healthcare settings.
Exposure to MEP systems and how they affect cost.
Internship or field experience with a general contractor.
Experience with takeoff software such as Bluebeam and On-Screen Takeoff.
Experience with project and bid management platforms such as Procore.
Experience with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Responsibilities

Perform quantity takeoffs and help develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates, including ROMs and test-fit budgets.
Review subcontractor pricing, investigate discrepancies, and compare pricing with historical cost data and current market prices.
Track scope and budget changes between estimate rounds.
Help write scopes of work, assemble bid packages, and develop bidder lists.
Send bid invitations, issue addenda, respond to subcontractor questions, and follow up to obtain bid coverage.
Level subcontractor bids for scope completeness and identify gaps, exclusions, and qualifications.
Review drawings and specifications for missing scope and coordination issues.
Research value engineering options and alternate products, including their cost impacts.
Help prepare proposals, interview materials, and the package handed to the project team.
Maintain the historical cost database and estimate files.