What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Engineer - Mechanical Construction position at JH KELLY and Careers?
At JH Kelly, we’re looking for a driven, mechanically minded Project Engineer to join our mechanical Industrial construction team in Longview, WA. Supporting manufacturing, refineries, and industrial projects in the area. This role is all about building the job right - taking the engineer-of-record’s design and transforming it into a clear, buildable direction for the field.
About Us
Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family-owned construction powerhouse known for tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader fueled by an award-winning team committed to safety, quality, and a dynamic, tight-knit culture. Learn more about our story at www.jhkelly.com
Celebrating over a century of excellence, JH Kelly is a fourth-generation, family-owned construction powerhouse known for tackling complex commercial and heavy industrial projects. With offices in Vancouver, Longview, Seattle, Bellingham, WA, and Milwaukie, OR, we’re an industry leader fueled by an award-winning team committed to safety, quality, and a dynamic, tight-knit culture. Learn more about our story at www.jhkelly.com
Who We’re Looking For
A Project Engineer who thrives on solving problems, reading between the lines of specs and P&IDs, and finding better ways to get answers and move the work forward—this is the opportunity for you. You’ll be the bridge between design and installation, between engineering intent and real-world execution. Whether you come from an engineering desk or from the trades, what matters is your understanding of hydronic and process piping systems, your comfort with the tools, and your ability to earn trust with the folks putting the work in. This is a field-first role for someone who takes pride in supporting the craft, clearing obstacles, and ensuring every system gets built exactly as it should.
A Project Engineer who thrives on solving problems, reading between the lines of specs and P&IDs, and finding better ways to get answers and move the work forward—this is the opportunity for you. You’ll be the bridge between design and installation, between engineering intent and real-world execution. Whether you come from an engineering desk or from the trades, what matters is your understanding of hydronic and process piping systems, your comfort with the tools, and your ability to earn trust with the folks putting the work in. This is a field-first role for someone who takes pride in supporting the craft, clearing obstacles, and ensuring every system gets built exactly as it should.
What You’ll Do
As our Project Engineer – Mechanical Construction, you’ll be the technical backbone of our operations, turning engineering designs into a buildable reality for process piping systems. You’ll collaborate closely with field teams, project managers, and the Engineer of Record, owning the RFI process, work package development, and field support to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality installations.
As our Project Engineer – Mechanical Construction, you’ll be the technical backbone of our operations, turning engineering designs into a buildable reality for process piping systems. You’ll collaborate closely with field teams, project managers, and the Engineer of Record, owning the RFI process, work package development, and field support to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality installations.
Pay Range: $38 – $55 per hour (DOE), FLSA non-exempt (overtime eligible).
Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll take on:
Design Interpretation & RFI Management
This role requires transitioning between office and construction field settings. In the office, you’ll sit for extended periods at a computer, performing repetitive tasks like typing and communicating by telephone. In the field, you’ll stand and walk for extended periods on various surfaces, including uneven terrain, climb stairs, kneel, crouch, and crawl to inspect tight spaces, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds. Good vision and hearing are essential for reading plans, inspecting work, and communicating on-site. You’ll work outdoors in various weather conditions, adhere to site-specific dress codes, and wear PPE (hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots). Flexibility to travel between job sites and work outside regular business hours when needed is required. Reasonable accommodations are available to support individuals with disabilities.
- Compare models, specs, P&IDs, and drawings to identify conflicts or missing information.
- Write and manage clear, technically sound RFIs, proposing solutions and following through to resolution.
- Work closely with the Engineer of Record and Owner to clarify design intent and ensure constructability.
- Create detailed, field-ready work packages for procurement, fabrication, pre-assembly, rigging, and installation.
- Use tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revizto, Stratus, and Bluebeam to organize and communicate the scope clearly.
- Coordinate with PMs and schedulers to align packages with project milestones and field needs.
- Serve as the primary technical contact for field supervisors, responding to questions, resolving design issues, and assisting with construction convenience items.
- Provide technical backup and documentation for lift plans, cartage plans, elevated work planning, and QA/QC walkdowns.
- Participate in pull planning/Last Planner-style scheduling sessions to support field execution.
- Perform field verification of installed work to ensure conformance with specifications and design.
- Track punch lists and corrective actions to completion.
- Ensure documentation is complete and systems are turned over clean and compliant.
- Build strong working relationships with foremen, field leadership, project engineers, and PMs.
- Mentor interns or junior engineers, contributing to a positive, high-trust project culture.
- Show up as a calm, consistent, and capable technical partner on site.
- Experience: 5 years in mechanical project engineering, piping trades, or technical field coordination, with a deep understanding of hydronic/process piping systems, layout, and installation practices. Experience in high-tech or semiconductor construction is a plus.
- Skills: Proficient with Navisworks, Revizto, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and Bluebeam. Strong project management, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to write clear RFIs and interpret technical documents.
- Mindset: Field-first, gritty, and resourceful, with a passion for precision and quality. You’re a trusted partner to field teams, relatable, and professional.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, construction management, or equivalent hands-on experience in mechanical systems.
- Preferred Qualities: Background in pipefitting or union craft is a bonus, but not required.
- Travel: Open and available to travel to construction jobsites.
This role requires transitioning between office and construction field settings. In the office, you’ll sit for extended periods at a computer, performing repetitive tasks like typing and communicating by telephone. In the field, you’ll stand and walk for extended periods on various surfaces, including uneven terrain, climb stairs, kneel, crouch, and crawl to inspect tight spaces, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds. Good vision and hearing are essential for reading plans, inspecting work, and communicating on-site. You’ll work outdoors in various weather conditions, adhere to site-specific dress codes, and wear PPE (hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots). Flexibility to travel between job sites and work outside regular business hours when needed is required. Reasonable accommodations are available to support individuals with disabilities.
Pay Range: $38 – $55 per hour (DOE), FLSA non-exempt (overtime eligible).
Benefits Package
At JH Kelly, you’re joining a family-oriented team with a legacy of excellence and a passion for innovation. You’ll support high-impact industrial projects, collaborating with our field teams and leadership to deliver quality and precision. This role offers room to grow far beyond the title, with the chance to become a key technical leader in a dynamic, award-winning environment.
- Comprehensive Medical/Vision/Rx – Dental/Ortho Coverage: JH Kelly pays 87.5% of total premiums.
- Paid Vacation and Holidays: Generous PTO model to support work-life balance.
- 401K: 50% company match on the first 6% of employee contributions.
- Life Insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD: Paid 100% by JH Kelly.
- Annual Performance Bonuses: Opportunity for additional compensation based on performance.
- Profit Sharing: Participate in JH Kelly’s profit-sharing program. Averaging 9% of total compensation for the past 10 years.
At JH Kelly, you’re joining a family-oriented team with a legacy of excellence and a passion for innovation. You’ll support high-impact industrial projects, collaborating with our field teams and leadership to deliver quality and precision. This role offers room to grow far beyond the title, with the chance to become a key technical leader in a dynamic, award-winning environment.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter. Tell us how you’ve solved technical challenges, supported field teams, and driven quality in the past.
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter. Tell us how you’ve solved technical challenges, supported field teams, and driven quality in the past.
Salary : $38 - $55