Project Engineer - Excavation, Grading

A well-established Chicago-area excavation and grading contractor is seeking a Project Engineer to support grading, earthwork, and machine‑control operations.

This is an office‑based role with close coordination between estimating, project management, superintendents, and field crews. The ideal candidate will be comfortable reading civil/site plans, quantifying cut and fill, calculating stone and material quantities, and preparing or updating grading data for GPS‑controlled excavation equipment.

• Review civil, grading, utility, and sitework plans
• Quantify cut/fill, stone, subgrade, and other earthwork materials
• Use AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Trimble, or related software to support grading and excavation work
• Prepare, update, and manage files used for GPS machine control
• Support Trimble‑based workflows for excavators and field crews
• Revise quantities and CAD/model files when drawings change or change orders are issued
• Communicate updated quantities, grades, and plan changes to project managers and field teams
• Help ensure field crews are working from accurate, current information
• Assist with estimating, project coordination, documentation, and job tracking as needed.

• 1-5 years of relevant experience in excavation, sitework, grading, heavy civil, surveying, or civil construction
• Experience with Trimble required or strongly preferred
• Ability to read grading plans, civil drawings, and sitework details
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, or similar tools
• Understanding of cut/fill calculations, earthwork quantities, stone quantities, and site grading
• Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate clearly with field and office teams
• Background as a Project Engineer, Field Engineer, Survey/CAD Technician, Earthwork Estimator, or Machine Control Model Builder is a strong fit
• Base salary: $80,000-$120,000
  , depending on experience
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
• Paid time off
• 401K
• Long‑term growth opportunity with an established contractor

Chicago area

Full-time, office-based with field coordination as needed

• Best candidates will understand how to take grading plans, quantify the work, update the CAD/Trimble files, and keep the field moving with accurate information.