Construction Engineer I

Job DescriptionJob Description

Join our team! Our mission is BUILDING COMMUNITIES. IMPROVING LIVES. With a history spanning over 110 years, HR Green has consistently delivered on this mission, establishing ourselves as a trusted partner for our colleagues, clients, and communities alike. Each day, we work to find solutions that inspire our employees and fit our clients' needs to build trust to exceed their expectations. As a leading player in the industry, we're proud to be ranked No. 168 on Engineering News Record's Top 500 Design Firms list in 2025. Our unwavering dedication to cultivating an exceptional workplace environment has earned us the distinguished honor of being recognized as a Best Place to Work.

Summary

Join our team as a Construction Project Engineer supporting transportation infrastructure projects. You’ll oversee field activities, ensure quality standards, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients by solving construction challenges and guiding projects to successful completion. Ideal candidates bring a civil engineering background, construction observation experience, and strong problem-solving skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Understands and interprets local, state, and/or federal Standard Specifications and Procedures. Answers questions from the contractor and exercises independent judgment when making decisions to apply standards or modify construction plans to actual field conditions. Mediates disputes that arise from the interpretation or enforcement of standards.
• Utilizes subject matter expertise to identify the root cause of construction defects caused by design flaws, material installation, or site conditions. Proactively advises client and contractor on a recommended course of action(s) to resolve construction concerns.
• Provides counsel to the client and key stakeholders regarding new approaches and to address problems, materials and methods that could contribute to a better project outcome, speed up the construction schedule, mitigate potential future risk, contribute to a safer jobsite, or save money.
• Acts as a business partner by building and fostering ongoing relationships with clients. Leads meetings with the client and contractor to make recommendations and resolve challenges related to the project schedule, plan changes, and additional costs. Mediates project related matters with the contractor on behalf of the client.
• Responsible for the financial stewardship of the client by interpreting quality control checks, assisting in the development of the pay estimate, quantifying pay items on projects and settling accounting disputes with the contractor on behalf of our client. Can use independent discretion to withhold payment from the contractor on work that does not conform to specs.
• Observes and documents the contractor’s work to ensure it is being completed in conformance with the plans and specifications, contract documents, and applicable local, state, and/or federal regulatory requirements. Performs quality assurance checks and advises contractor of the recommended course of action when work or materials are not in compliance with requirements.
• Analyzes and resolves work problems, including client, contractor, or public complaints and grievances. Develops a “Lessons Learned” summary to educate designers about errors, omissions or constructability problems discovered during the project.
• Applies advanced engineering knowledge of the mechanical and physical properties of structures or materials and the engineering behavior of soils, water, and foundations to provide guidance for quality assurance methods, procedures, standards, and technical training related to site design and construction.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the work of subconsultants to enforce the project scope.
• Coordinates and attends progress meetings with the client, HR Green staff and other key stakeholders.
• Quickly reacts to complex situations with the client or projects as they arise. Makes on the spot decisions using independent discretion and judgment.
• Performs material yield checks, verifies tolerances, and elemental thicknesses, measures and quantifies pay item quantities for payment. Performs basic construction layout work (including bench circuits and providing line and grade for various construction elements). Additionally, be proficient in the use of computers and word processing software (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Maintains neat and accurate project documentation (field book notes and measurements, field reports, project binders, etc.) for small projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or equivalent in Engineering is required. A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is .
• Up to 5 years of related Construction observation experience working with moderately complex construction plans is .
• Familiarity with documentation requirements and inspection procedures is .
• Excellent time management, communication, and technical skills are required.
• Must have received training on equipment commonly used in the of engineering-related tests and analysis.
• Must possess knowledge of MS Office suite of products.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, snow, rain) for extended periods of time and stand for 8 to 12 hours per day. This work requires standing on uneven terrain. Employees must also be able to and lift and move a minimum of 30 lbs. (concrete cylinders), sit, walk, talk, hear, and reach with hands or arms. Hand eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and other office equipment as required. The employee is also required to kneel, crouch, and bend. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package. Visit our website for detailed total rewards information.

https://www.hrgreen.com/careers/total-rewards/

Compensation Range

$59,00.00 - $85,000

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Illinois Salary Transparency amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, skills, prior work experience, competencies, and geographic work location. The total annual compensation package may consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate, after a qualifying period, in our performance and discretionary incentive bonus program(s).

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to , , , , or expression, , , genetics, , age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.