Project Engineer Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A project engineer supports construction projects from the office and the field: tracking submittals and RFIs, coordinating subcontractors, keeping schedules and budgets on track, and making sure the work matches the drawings and specs. They report to a project manager or construction manager and often run smaller projects on their own.
Project engineers work for general contractors, specialty contractors and engineering firms across building types, from commercial and residential to industrial and infrastructure work. The job mixes technical review with a lot of coordination, so organization and the ability to chase down answers matter as much as engineering knowledge.
Project Engineer job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Project Engineer
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a project engineer to support [project type, e.g. commercial construction or infrastructure] projects. You'll manage submittals and RFIs, coordinate with subcontractors and [design team], and help keep the project on schedule and on budget.
What you'll do
- Track, log and route submittals, RFIs and change orders.
- Review shop drawings and specifications for compliance with design intent.
- Coordinate schedules and deliveries with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Support budgeting, cost tracking and change order pricing.
- Attend job site meetings and document progress and issues.
- Maintain project documentation, drawings and correspondence.
- Assist the project manager with client and owner communication.
- Help close out projects: punch lists, as-builts and warranty documents.
What you'll bring
- [X]+ years in construction, engineering or project coordination.
- Bachelor's degree in civil, construction management or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Ability to read construction drawings and specifications.
- Comfort with scheduling and project management software.
- Strong organization and follow-through on open items.
- Clear written communication for RFIs, submittals and reports.
- Willingness to split time between the office and the job site.
Nice to have
- Experience with [Procore / Bluebeam / Primavera P6].
- OSHA 30 certification.
- Experience with [building type, e.g. healthcare, education or industrial].
- Estimating or cost control experience.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Vehicle allowance, OSHA and software training, health insurance, bonus based on project performance]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a recruiter call, an interview with a project manager, a review of a past project you coordinated, and a final meeting with the construction team.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Project Engineer duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Tracks submittals and RFIs under supervision.
- Attends site meetings and documents progress.
- Learns the trades, sequencing and the firm's documentation systems.
Mid-level
- Manages submittals, RFIs and scheduling for a project with limited oversight.
- Coordinates directly with subcontractors and the design team.
- Supports budgeting and change order negotiation.
Senior
- Runs smaller projects independently or supports a PM on larger ones.
- Leads buyout, scheduling and closeout for assigned scopes.
- Mentors junior project engineers and reviews their documentation.
Project Engineer career path
- Project Engineer I
- Project Engineer
- Senior Project Engineer
- Project Manager or Construction Manager
Project engineer is a common entry point for construction management and engineering graduates, and a step up from field roles like assistant superintendent. From here, most people move into project management, construction management or estimating as they take on more ownership of budget and schedule.
Similar roles
- Civil Engineer job description
Focuses on design and calculations rather than construction coordination.
- Construction Manager job description
Oversees the full project and field operations, not just coordination tasks.
- Project Manager job description
Owns budget, schedule and client relationship across industries beyond construction.
- Mechanical Engineer job description
Designs mechanical systems rather than coordinating their installation.
Project Engineer job description FAQ
What does a project engineer do?
Coordinates the technical and administrative side of a construction project: submittals, RFIs, scheduling, subcontractor coordination and documentation, usually reporting to a project manager or construction manager.
What skills should a project engineer job description require?
Ability to read drawings and specs, organization, scheduling software familiarity, and clear written communication. A construction, civil engineering or related degree helps, but field experience can substitute for it.
Is project engineer the same as project manager?
No. A project engineer typically handles technical coordination and documentation under a project manager, who owns the overall budget, schedule and client relationship. Many project engineers advance into project management.