Construction Engineer

Job DetailsJob Location: Corporate Headquarters - LAKEWOOD, CO 80215Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $70,000.00 - $120,000.00 SalaryTravel Percentage: Up to 50% Job Shift: Day ZAP Engineering and Construction Services, Inc. CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER Office-Based Support Role  |  Construction Department  |  Exempt   POSITION DETAILS   Reports To: Construction Manager / VP of Construction FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Office-Based (50–75%) | Field / Project Sites (25–50%) Travel: As required by project needs 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. 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. 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. Qualifications 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.   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. 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. 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. 04 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. 05 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.