Project Engineer

Take Your Career to the Next Level  

Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!

Step into Your New Role  

Kleinfelder is seeking a Project Engineer to join our team in Sacramento, CA with a dual focus on utility engineering and project controls (contract, financial, and administrative coordination). This role develops broad skills across workstreams and independently applies standard engineering techniques to conventional projects with few complex features, while also supporting project setup, contract compliance, budget tracking, invoicing alignment, and reporting. The Project Engineer uses sound judgment to adapt methods for nonroutine aspects of assignments and collaborates closely with project managers, engineering teams, clients, billing, and legal to ensure technical quality, contract alignment, and financial performance.

As an Engineer with GTS, you will be expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Engineering Design & Technical Delivery

• Prepare designs, calculations, drawings, layouts, and studies based on field inspections, preliminary sketches, specifications, and instructions.
• Perform or support design, including material selection, constructability considerations, and standard design criteria.
• Develop construction specifications, bid packages, and engineering deliverables aligned with applicable codes and standards.
• Perform field measurements, prepare and correct field drawings, and support ordering of materials.
• Execute data acquisition and analysis using standard quantitative methods; compile and report technical data.
• Support alternative/feasibility studies, investigations, and research to inform engineering recommendations.
• Coordinate inspection/testing activities, analyze findings, and produce clear technical summaries.

2. Project Controls, Contract Administration & Financial Coordination

• Coordinate administrative and financial tasks across multiple projects, supporting scope, schedule, and budget tracking.
• Assist with development and administration of the contract baseline, including terms/conditions, rates, specifications, estimates, schedules, budgets, and related documents.
• Facilitate project setup and obtain required authorizations; ensure contracts are well organized and established correctly in company systems.
• Review contracts to confirm project setup aligns with invoice requirements, terms, and rates; proactively identify gaps or risks.
• Prepare and administer agreements, addendums, fee letters, and confidentiality agreements as requested; coordinate with the Legal Department for contract review.
• Support Project Managers and leadership with financial analysis and reporting to resolve issues, reduce risk, and improve profitability.
• Partner with project staff and billing to ensure compliance with contract terms, company policies, and government regulations.
• Review invoices, resolve discrepancies, and conduct inquiries into payment, claims, or compliance issues; coordinate with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams to close issues quickly.
• Maintain strong document control, recordkeeping, and version management for project and contract documentation.

3. Collaboration, Reporting & Team Leadership

• Develop project status reports documenting task completion, progress, challenges, and solutions.
• Work closely with other workgroups at client sites and within GTS offices to coordinate execution.
• Assign tasks to and coordinate with drafting and administrative staff; may coordinate Associate Engineers (Engineer I), technicians, and assigned support staff.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical mentorship to entry-level staff and other Engineer II team members as appropriate.
• Assist in determining schedule and budget requirements; support consistent project execution practices.

Consideration for an Engineer position requires the following certifications or experience:

Required Qualifications -

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
• 3–6 years of relevant experience, which may include a combination of:
  • Project management: cost, scope, schedule, and subcontractor management
  • Utility engineering design
  • Field-based engineering support (measurements, redlines, as-builts, constructability reviews)
  • Construction specifications, bid package development, and material selection
  • Project administration: project setup, contract compliance tracking, invoice alignment, and reporting
• Strong technical communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and comfort with structured reporting and document control.
• Demonstrated ability to work under minimal supervision within established guidelines on complex assignments.
• Valid Driver’s License (field visits may be required).

Preferred Qualifications - 

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Working knowledge of CAD and GIS software.
• Prior experience supporting both private and government clients and understanding compliance requirements.
• Utility business understanding (gas utility operations, standards, permitting support).
• Experience with project financial concepts (budget tracking, cost reporting, invoice review, profitability support).

Core Competencies - 

• Sound engineering judgment and attention to detail
• Strong organization and prioritization across multiple projects
• Ability to interpret contracts and align execution with terms/rates
• Comfortable collaborating with engineering, PMs, billing, and legal
• Continuous improvement mindset: evaluates tools/processes and suggests improvements

Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver. 

Progress with an Employer that Values You 

Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following: 

Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.  The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law.  Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: $72,239 - $98,000.

Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.

Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)  

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES   

Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.   

#LI-SF1