What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Engineer position at ZAP Engineering?
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ZAP Engineering and Construction Services, Inc. CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER Office-Based Support Role | Construction Department | Exempt |
POSITION DETAILS
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Reports To: |
Construction Manager / VP of Construction |
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FLSA Status: |
Exempt |
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Location: |
Office-Based (50–75%) | Field / Project Sites (25–50%) |
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Travel: |
As required by project needs |
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Department: |
Construction |
WHO WE ARE
ZAP Engineering and Construction Services, Inc. is a specialized engineering and construction firm delivering complex industrial projects across the oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, and industrial sectors. We are a team of technically driven, safety-focused professionals who take pride in building things right — on time, on budget, and without shortcuts.
We are growing, and we are looking for high-caliber engineers who want to own their work, build their career, and make a real impact on project outcomes. If you are someone who holds yourself to a high standard, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and brings both technical precision and practical judgment — we want to talk to you.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are hiring a Construction Engineer (Office-Based) to serve as a critical technical and operational backbone of our Construction Department. This is not a passive support role — you will be the engine behind project controls, scheduling, estimating, reporting, and technical coordination that keeps our projects on track from kick-off to closeout.
You will work closely with Project Managers, field supervision, estimators, engineers, and clients on a daily basis. Your analytical horsepower, communication skills, and ability to manage complexity will be visible and valued at every level of the organization.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Preconstruction & Project Setup
- Lead and support preconstruction planning: scope development, constructability reviews, and project kick-off coordination.
- Collaborate with PMs, estimators, and clients to define requirements, milestones, and deliverables before mobilization.
- Develop project execution plans, work breakdown structures (WBS), and construction sequencing strategies.
- Review drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and P&IDs to identify risks and inform cost and schedule planning.
Scheduling & Project Controls
- Build, maintain, and update project schedules in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project — including critical path, float analysis, look-ahead schedules, and recovery plans.
- Coordinate with field supervision to ensure schedule accuracy and alignment with actual progress.
- Identify, communicate, and drive mitigation of schedule risks and delays.
Estimating & Cost Management
- Prepare detailed quantity take-offs, cost estimates, and bid packages for new projects, change orders, and scope additions.
- Maintain project budgets; track committed costs, actuals, and forecast-to-complete throughout the project lifecycle.
- Monitor spend rates against budget; flag variances early and support corrective action planning.
- Support bid preparation, subcontractor scoping, and vendor negotiations.
KPIs, Reporting & Analytics
- Track and report project KPIs: Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI), earned value, safety, and quality metrics.
- Prepare clear, concise project status reports and dashboards for leadership and client consumption.
- Analyze project data to surface trends, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities — backed by evidence, not guesswork.
Technical Support & RFI Management
- Review, prepare, and coordinate timely RFI responses across field crews, subcontractors, and clients.
- Coordinate with engineering design teams to resolve technical questions, design discrepancies, and constructability issues.
- Support development and review of method statements, work plans, and technical submittals.
Department & Team Support
- Serve as an internal resource for planning, technical, and operational matters across the Construction Department.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of department processes, templates, and standard operating procedures.
- Support subcontractor pre-qualification, selection, and performance management.
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior project staff.
WHY ZAP
At ZAP, you are not a number on a project roster. You will have real responsibility, real visibility, and real opportunity to grow. We invest in our people, promote from within, and build careers alongside the projects we deliver.
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Technical Work That Matters Complex industrial projects where your engineering judgment makes a difference — every day. |
A Culture of Accountability We hold ourselves to high standards. You will be surrounded by people who do the same. |
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Growth & Advancement A direct path to senior project engineer, project manager, and construction leadership roles. |
Safety is Non-Negotiable We protect our people. Safety is embedded in everything we plan, design, and build. |
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS
A-players in this role demonstrate consistent mastery across the following ten competencies. These are not aspirational — they are the standard we hire and retain to.
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01 |
Technical Engineering Acumen |
Applies engineering fundamentals and knowledge of construction methods, materials, and systems to solve technical problems, review documents, and guide field execution with confidence. |
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02 |
Project Controls Mastery |
Builds, owns, and drives project schedules (CPM/P6/MSP), cost tracking, earned value, and KPI reporting — turning raw data into clear, actionable insights for leadership and clients. |
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03 |
Analytical & Data-Driven Thinking |
Digs into project data to spot trends, variances, and risks early. Translates complex numbers into concise narratives and recommended corrective actions — no guessing, evidence first. |
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Communication & Stakeholder Influence |
Communicates clearly and professionally across all levels — field crews, PMs, clients, and executives. Writes sharp reports, runs effective meetings, and keeps everyone aligned. |
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Organized Execution Under Pressure |
Thrives in a multi-project, deadline-driven environment. Manages competing priorities without dropping the ball, uses structured systems to stay on top of commitments, and delivers consistently. |
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06 |
Constructability & Risk Awareness |
Reads drawings, specs, geotechnical reports, and P&IDs to proactively identify constructability issues, scope risks, and technical gaps before they become costly field problems. |
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07 |
Cross-Functional Collaboration |
Operates as a trusted bridge between estimating, scheduling, engineering, field supervision, and clients. Builds strong working relationships and keeps projects moving across organizational boundaries. |
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08 |
Safety-First Mindset |
Demonstrates a personal commitment to safety excellence — not just compliance. Proactively supports a safety culture in planning documents, work plans, and field interactions. |
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09 |
Ownership & Accountability |
Takes full ownership of assigned work products, deadlines, and outcomes. Does not wait to be told what to do next; self-directs, escalates early when blockers arise, and follows through reliably. |
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10 |
Continuous Improvement Drive |
Actively looks for ways to improve processes, templates, and workflows. Contributes to departmental SOPs and is not satisfied with 'good enough' when better is achievable. |
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Construction Engineering from an accredited institution.
- Proficiency in Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent scheduling software.
- Competency in estimating and cost management; experience with take-off software is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and project management platforms.
- Familiarity with construction document management systems (Procore, Aconex, or similar).
- Working knowledge of construction contracts (lump sum, unit rate, reimbursable), RFI processes, submittals, and change order procedures.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, civil/structural plans, and specifications.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills — written and verbal.
Preferred
- Experience in oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, or industrial plant construction.
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety certification.
- Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and integrated cost/schedule reporting.
Salary : $70,000 - $120,000