Preconstruction Project Engineer

RNGD•Metairie, LA

About The Position

RNGD is hiring an early-career Preconstruction Project Engineer to support accurate, competitive, and coordinated preconstruction deliverables. The role builds practical knowledge of estimating, construction documents, scopes of work, trade partner engagement, and project planning. The position works under the guidance of Preconstruction Managers, Estimators, and other experienced team members, completing assigned work with increasing independence and continued coaching and review. Final pricing, commercial decisions, trade partner selections, and client commitments remain with the appropriate preconstruction leaders. The role supports projects from pursuit and early design through estimate development, proposal submission, and turnover to Operations. Work includes quantity takeoffs, drawing and specification review, scope development, trade partner outreach, proposal comparison, cost analysis, preconstruction documentation, and milestone coordination. Success means work is accurate, organized, and on time; missing information and scope concerns are identified early; stakeholders receive reliable information; and open items receive consistent follow-through. RNGD is a rapidly scaling construction organization headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. The company describes its approach as focused on innovation, creativity, culture, and a Renegade mindset, and works throughout the Southeast region.

Requirements

Foundational experience performing quantity takeoffs, reviewing drawings and specifications, soliciting quotations, or supporting estimate development.
Basic knowledge of construction methods, materials, trade scopes, and project-delivery processes.
Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, PDF-markup software, takeoff or estimating platforms, project-management systems, or bid-management tools.
Strong analytical, organizational, written communication, and follow-through capabilities.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines while asking timely questions.
Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, design partners, trade partners, and vendors.
Ability to participate in project-site visits as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
One to three years of experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, project engineering, or a related environment; relevant internship or cooperative education experience may be considered.
Strong interest in developing deeper estimating and preconstruction expertise.

Responsibilities

Support pursuit and preconstruction schedules, milestones, deliverables, and assigned coordination activities.
Prepare materials for kickoff, design, estimate-review, bid, and coordination meetings; participate in meetings, document decisions and action items, and distribute information to stakeholders.
Coordinate information among Preconstruction, Operations, design partners, trade partners, vendors, and internal support teams.
Track deadlines, open questions, and required deliverables; communicate potential delays or concerns early.
Maintain organized logs, files, current documents, and supporting records throughout preconstruction.
Review drawings, specifications, narratives, addenda, and other procurement documents to understand assigned scope and project requirements.
Perform quantity takeoffs and organize supporting calculations and source information for assigned scopes.
Assist with developing scope sheets, bid-package narratives, and trade-specific requirements.
Identify apparent scope gaps, drawing conflicts, missing information, and coordination concerns for review by experienced preconstruction team members.
Document potential logistics, sequencing, safety, procurement, and execution considerations to support constructability analysis.
Participate in site visits and existing-condition reviews as directed and incorporate relevant observations into assigned work.
Assist with developing and maintaining bidder lists based on project scope, trade coverage, and preconstruction direction.
Prepare and distribute bid invitations, scope information, drawings, specifications, addenda, and other solicitation materials.
Confirm trade partner and vendor interest, track bid coverage, and follow up regarding required submissions.
Collect and organize proposals, quotations, and supporting documentation for review.
Review proposals preliminarily for completeness and general scope alignment; identify apparent gaps, exclusions, or inconsistencies.
Support bid comparisons and leveling by organizing scope, pricing, alternates, qualifications, and proposal information without making selection or award commitments.
Assist with conceptual, schematic, design-development, and detailed estimates under the guidance of experienced preconstruction team members.
Develop assigned trade-level or system-level pricing using quantity takeoffs, subcontractor quotations, historical information, unit costs, and approved assumptions.
Reconcile assigned quantities and pricing and communicate unusual variances, missing information, or cost concerns.
Organize estimate assumptions, allowances, alternates, clarifications, exclusions, and supporting documentation.
Research materials, systems, and constructability alternatives to support value analysis and cost-planning discussions.
Participate in estimate reviews, incorporate approved revisions, and maintain clear backup for assigned estimate components.
Prepare assigned proposal exhibits, scope narratives, estimate summaries, clarifications, assumptions, and presentation materials.
Review assigned deliverables for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and alignment with current project information before senior review.
Incorporate approved estimate, scope, and proposal revisions and maintain current versions of supporting documents.
Assist with assembling turnover matrices, estimate backup, trade coverage information, identified risks, and outstanding items following project award.
Participate in turnover meetings and support the transfer of preconstruction information to Operations and project teams.
Assist with maintaining historical cost information, estimating databases, trade partner records, templates, and lessons learned.
Use RNGD’s takeoff, estimating, bid-management, project-management, and collaboration platforms to maintain accurate and accessible information.
Follow established preconstruction workflows, file structures, documentation standards, and quality-control practices.
Seek feedback and build knowledge of construction methods, materials, cost drivers, project delivery, and estimating practices.
Identify recurring issues or practical improvement opportunities and communicate recommendations through the appropriate preconstruction team member.