Construction Project Engineer

At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. That's why we don't just build and remodel, we build relationships, rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.

For this role, we are seeking candidates currently located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and/or Illinois.

Who You Are

You're a logical, detail-driven thinker who enjoys working in complex, technical environments. You're naturally curious about how things work and take pride in building a deep understanding of project details, systems, and constraints. You're comfortable engaging with engineers, field teams, and technical experts, and you're not intimidated by complexity. You bring clarity to conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and help translate technical information into actionable next steps.

You're motivated to grow your technical acumen and contribute to projects where precision, coordination, and problem-solving are critical to success.

You're nimble. You can move and adapt in any environment, which means you're ready to work across multiple market focuses. You could find yourself contributing to Mission Critical, Commercial Interiors, Education, Industrial, Healthcare, Historic Repositions, and Science & Technology projects.

How You'll Contribute

As a Project Engineer, you'll support the successful delivery of commercial construction projects by coordinating schedules, managing documentation, and helping ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish. Depending on project size and scope, you may serve as a project lead on small to midsize projects, or provide daily support to a Project Manager on larger projects. Some of your key responsibilities include:

• Support project planning, execution, and closeout activities.
• Develop and track submittals, RFIs, change orders, and procurement logs.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of contracts, drawings, and other project documentation.
• Generate, monitor, and update project schedules; identify deliverables and task owners.
• Manage owner pay applications, invoices, and change documentation.
• Support weekly project and OAC meetings with accurate notes and follow-up.
• Obtain permits and required regulatory approvals.
• Support project closeout by compiling O&M manuals, closeout packets, and punchlist follow-up.
• Maintain consistent communication with internal teams, clients, and trade partners to ensure alignment.

What Success Looks Like

You'll know you're succeeding when:

• Your project documentation is accurate, timely, and organized.
• Project Managers and Superintendents can rely on you for dependable support and proactive problem-solving.
• Clients, design partners, and trade partners feel supported and well-informed.
• You continue to grow your technical and leadership skills, building toward greater responsibility.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, construction engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 1-2 years of professional construction experience on complex projects, such as mission-critical or industrial work (internships and co-ops not included).
• A strong analytical mindset and enjoys working with numbers, data, and spreadsheets.
• Approaches work with focus and follow-through, while staying flexible as priorities shift.
• Comfortable engaging in technical conversations and building rapport with highly technical teams.
• Curious about and open to learning complex systems, such as generators, chillers, and other critical infrastructure.
• Basic understanding of general contracting and the project life cycle.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project scheduling tools, and Apple devices.
• Collaborative, humble, and solutions-oriented mindset.

What Will Set You Apart

• 2-4 years of project management experience with a general contractor working on complex projects, such as mission-critical or industrial work.
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, or other construction management software.
• Experience managing project documentation and financials.

Why Join Gardner Builders?

We are proud to be recognized as:

• 7-Time "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
• 6-Time "Top 150 Workplaces" by Minneapolis Star Tribune
• #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023)
• 4-Time "Best Workplace" by Inc Magazine
• "Best Places to Work" by Milwaukee Business Journal

Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued,…