Preconstruction Engineering Lead

Job Description:

At Harris, preconstruction is more than estimating and coordination — it is where technical expertise, innovation, and strategic execution come together to shape project success before construction begins.

We’re looking for a technical leader to drive preconstruction engineering strategy across Harris. In this role, you’ll influence how projects are designed, engineered, priced, and delivered across multiple offices and project teams. You’ll partner with owners, contractors, design teams, and internal operations leaders to solve complex mechanical and plumbing challenges, improve delivery methods, and advance the tools and processes that differentiate Harris in the market.

The purpose of your role as a Preconstruction Engineering Associate is to

Direct preconstruction engineering activities to improve project delivery for our customers and Harris. Strategize, initiate, and influence the outcomes for preconstruction efforts between design and engineering, and construction operations. Encourage and develop effective communication across all project stakeholders to manage risks, quality, delivery, and meet project goals.

Preconstruction Engineering:

• In collaboration with stakeholders, develop & implement the Harris Precon processes and activities for application across all Harris locations. Work to expand pre-con process and best-practices across company offices, communicate & explain these processes with all locations/divisions across Harris

• Deliver preconstruction services with a keen sense of urgency to customer requests. Develop a “trusted partner” relationship with Owner, General Contractor, Design Team and project influencers

• Manage, coordinate, and carry out activities around preconstruction engineering, for assigned projects and tasks, including scheduling, estimating, bidding, design + engineering etc.

• Drive and facilitate in design related tasks, including reviews, reports, studies, construction administration, etc.

• Maximize impact in preconstruction and design meetings with owners, architects, and other design professionals. Ensure preparation of quality meeting minutes and notes in a timely manner.  

• Apply activities to meet demands of different project delivery methods

• Work with other teams across Harris to optimize preconstruction engineering tasks. Such tasks include managing logs and reports for technical issues, cost and schedule trending, materials and equipment procurement management

• Manage, prepare and give presentations and deliver reports on preconstruction activities, task progress and construction team briefings 

• Take the lead supporting with business development proposals and pursuits 

• Drive the advancement of tools, IT solutions for the wider preconstruction effort 

• Manage and utilize software tools to perform quantity studies, constructability studies, clash detection, reviews and value engineering exercises using tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks etc.  

• Support design studio teams in the creation and preparation of design packages 

• Develop expertise in preconstruction processes that differentiate Harris

• Create and utilize tools and dashboards, automating Precon activities

• Work with PMs to develop budgeting & report-out tools for communications with clients to demonstrate benefits of delivery method

• Optimize Precon best practices and approaches to support project goals

• Direct and drive prefabrication design efforts throughout Precon and ensure constructability

• Identify and drive resolution for issues and project risks in Precon

Execution and Delivery:

• Actively and regularly track/manage/communicate, internally and externally, project scope, schedule impacts, change orders, and budget trend on projects with direct involvement

• Support in identifying estimate peaks and scope gaps, seeking to reduce risks within the overall project estimate.  Actively drive the cost trend log to include scope creep, value added solutions (value engineering) and other risks and opportunities to best support our customer and Harris

• In partnership with project management teams, ensure constructability of preconstruction ideas/concepts by educating and informing project teams about logistics, pre-fab, options, etc. to see the concepts through to fruition

• Drive, monitor and confirm feedback of the preconstruction concepts with project teams to measure and verify value of Precon activities & recommendations

Develop Preconstruction Skills Across the Company

• Support, train and mentor other Precon contacts (network) throughout the company  

• Document, train & mentor Design + Engineering team members re: Preconstruction services taking into account differences in Design Build, Design Assist, Plan & Spec, Lump Sum, T&M, IPD, etc. 

• Use reference documentation in a shared format for others to easily access

•  Support the implementation of the Precon training plan to ensure D+E team members build this skill set

Leadership + Culture

• Consistently demonstrate the desired Harris culture

• Emphasize and demonstrate a strong safety culture and an environment of collaboration, teamwork & transparency at all times

• Demonstrate leadership with regard to preconstruction engineering and activities on the D+E team and throughout preconstruction work

• Foster a culture of Precon within Harris

Business Development

• Support the sales effort by reviewing project designs and participates in development of bids, cost estimates and schedules; proposes alternatives to keep project on schedule or within budget

• Participate in project interviews as requested to support high preconstruction potential projects

Miscellaneous

• Perform additional assignments per supervisor’s direction 

What we're looking for in you

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred.

• 8+ years of industry knowledge of mechanical and plumbing

• 6+ years of knowledge of corporate objectives impacting estimating, estimating strategies and techniques, and construction contracts

• 8+ years and proficient understanding of engineering and technology including principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment.

• 6+ years and previous success in delivering pre-construction engineering solutions

Your life at Harris

As one of the country's leading mechanical contractors, Harris offers you the best of both worlds: the stability, resources and opportunities of a national company, and the team culture, creative spirit and customer loyalty of a local business. If you thrive on variety and new challenges, we want to meet you!

From stadiums to manufacturing facilities, power plants to hospitals, concert halls to classrooms, we handle projects of all sizes and complexity from multiple regional locations across the country.

Harris Benefits + Compensation

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401K with company match

• Vacation time, sick time, and paid holidays

• Paid Parental leave

• Short-Term Incentive Plan

Visit our Careers Page for additional benefit details:  https://www.harriscompany.com/careers/employee-benefits-at-a-glance

Pay Range: 

$75,521.24 - $113,281.86

The actual salary offer will vary by candidate based on a wide range of factors such as specific skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.