Preconstruction Project Engineer

RNGD•Metairie, LA

About The Position

The Preconstruction Project Engineer supports the development of accurate, competitive, and well-coordinated preconstruction deliverables while developing practical knowledge of estimating, construction documents, scopes of work, trade partner engagement, and project planning. This early-career role is intended for someone with foundational estimating experience who wants to build broader expertise in cost planning, scope analysis, constructability, bid coordination, and project development. The engineer works under the guidance of Preconstruction Managers, Estimators, and other experienced team members, completing assigned work with increasing independence while receiving coaching and review. 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 involves accurate, organized, timely work; early identification of missing information and scope concerns; reliable communication to stakeholders; and consistent follow-through on open items. Final pricing, commercial decisions, trade partner selections, and client commitments remain with the appropriate preconstruction leaders.

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, with a strong interest in developing estimating and preconstruction expertise.
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.
Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, PDF-markup software, takeoff or estimating platforms, project-management systems, or bid-management tools.

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 appropriate stakeholders.
Coordinate information among Preconstruction, Operations, design partners, trade partners, vendors, and internal support teams.
Track assigned deadlines, open questions, and required deliverables, and communicate potential delays or concerns early.
Maintain organized logs, files, current documents, and supporting records throughout the preconstruction process.
Review drawings, specifications, narratives, addenda, and other procurement documents to understand assigned scopes and project requirements.
Perform quantity takeoffs and organize supporting calculations and source information for assigned scopes of work.
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.
Support constructability analysis by documenting potential logistics, sequencing, safety, procurement, and execution considerations.
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 routinely regarding required submissions.
Collect and organize proposals, quotations, and supporting documentation for review.
Perform preliminary reviews for completeness and general scope alignment and 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 preparing 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.