Position Purpose
The Project Engineer / Junior Project Manager owns the delivery of each ADU construction project from City-approved plans through final punch list completion and client move-in. Working alongside our Director of Construction, the PE manages change orders, accounts receivables, scheduling, and critical-path decisions on assigned projects to ensure every build is delivered on time (within 6-12 weeks, 12 weeks being the absolute maximum), on budget, and to the 5-star standard Backyard Estates is known for. The PE is the homeowner's "first call" throughout construction and is directly accountable for the customer experience.

Why This Role
This is a high-visibility seat with a clear path to full Project Manager ownership inside 12-18 months.
You'll work directly with our Director of Construction (Tom Gibson) and President (Adam Stewart) on projects across the Inland Empire and LA County, with full ownership of multi-million dollar ADU builds.
We are looking for a hungry, coachable up-and-comer ready to run multiple concurrent projects, lead client communication, and grow into a senior leadership role on our construction team.

Core Responsibilities

1. Customer Experience & Communication
   • Complete ownership of each customer experience from City-approved plans through final punch list completion and open house.
   • Lead Pre-Construction Meetings: Schedule, plan, and lead each meeting once plans are approved and prior to breaking ground. Restate project scope, provide unique project insights, set clear expectations on timeline, communication, pricing, and onsite expectations (Big 12, utility shut-off, staging areas, etc.).
   • Be the homeowner's "First Call" for all questions, concerns, and project updates throughout construction.
   • Deliver weekly client updates via Buildertrend before 12:00 PM every Friday: work completed that week, items still outstanding with solutions, updated timeline, and items planned for the following week. Goal: anticipate every customer question so they never have to ask.
   • Process ALL Change Orders within 24 hours of identification (never more than 48 hours), complete with photos, detailed scope, material and labor breakdown, schedule impact, and pricing, sent via Buildertrend. Client approval required prior to work starting or within 48 hours, whichever is sooner.
   • $0 Change Orders must be issued for any work outside the customer's ADU Agreement scope, with customer approval signature for clean documentation and tracking.
   • Drive 5-star reviews where clients name their PE/PM by name. Every interaction should reinforce that the client is in excellent hands.
2. Project Scheduling & Timeline Management
   • Upcoming Permit Approval list provided to the Superintendent and Leadership weekly for any approval anticipated within 2 weeks (triggered 2 weeks following Second Submittal to Building).
   • Pull ADU Permit within 5 business days of City approval.
   • Ground breaking takes place within 2 weeks of City approval of ADU plans.
   • Deliver every project within 6-10 weeks (ground-breaking to final inspection, open house, and blue tape homeowner walkthrough complete; never greater than 12 weeks total).
   • Coordinate with trades and vendors for all punch list and warranty items within 48 hours of final inspection, proactively identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts.
   • Confirm and resolve all Big 12 issues prior to Pre-Construction Meeting: customer selections, city business license, job card in hand, City pre-con meeting, doors and windows ordered, survey, soils test/inspection, fire sprinkler plans approved, solar, new water meter, new sewer lateral, new electrical meter, new gas meter, dig alert, etc.
   • Maintain and update the master construction schedule daily in Buildertrend (and the
   Company Job Schedule) for each active project, ensuring all trades, inspections, and
   milestones are current.
   • City Inspections scheduled and sat as needed; PE is proactive to ensure 90%+ of inspections pass without corrections.
   • Schedule open houses 30 days in advance with client approval; coordinate staging and professional photography.
3. Financial & Budget Management
   • Proactively identify cost-saving solutions and value engineering both onsite and in-office.
   • Review and approve weekly all invoices, pay applications, and subcontractor billings,
   ensuring accuracy before submission.
   • Ensure subcontractor Purchase Orders are in place for assigned projects prior to
   ground-breaking.
   • Draft, review, and issue RFIs, submittals, and change orders; ensure all documentation is complete and forwarded to appropriate parties.
   • Track project cost overruns through regular budget reviews, flagging variances immediately.
4. Documentation & Buildertrend Management
   • All written communication occurs via Buildertrend. Phone calls and onsite discussions are
   summarized in the Daily Log prior to leaving the office or job site each day.
   • RFIs are always documented in Buildertrend and resolved within 24 hours.
   • Maintain complete and current project files in Buildertrend: schedules, daily logs, photos, change orders, RFIs, submittals, inspection records, and client communications.
   • Review project plans and specifications collaboratively with the estimating team to ensure all changes are reviewed, cost impacts identified, and information forwarded to all appropriate recipients.
   • SOPs are created and kept up to date to enable upward mobility and training.
   • City Cheat Sheets accurately reflect City rules, onsite job learnings, and key city processes and contacts.
   • Warranty Booklet created, kept up-to-date, and provided to each client at homeowner walkthrough.
5. Team Leadership & Company Growth
   • Weekly team meetings: capture accurate meeting minutes.
   • Assist with business development efforts as needed, supporting sales presentations, open houses, and client referrals.
   • Help grow and maintain the contractor, sub-contractor, and vendor network to ensure Backyard Estates has reliable trade partners.
   • Identify and communicate process improvements to leadership, helping Backyard Estates continuously improve operations.

Weekly Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected every week for each active project:
• Client Update (Friday by 12 PM): comprehensive weekly update via Buildertrend covering
completed work, outstanding items with solutions, updated timeline, and next week's plan.
• Daily Logs (Every Day): Buildertrend Daily Log completed before leaving the office or job site, summarizing work performed, conversations, decisions, and photos.
• Schedule Update: master construction schedule in Buildertrend (and Company Job Schedule) reflects current status, upcoming trade scheduling, and inspection dates.
• Change Orders (As Needed, Within 24 Hrs): drafted and sent to client with photos, scope,
timeline impact, and pricing within 24 hours, approved within 48 hours, and completed prior to any work beginning.
• RFI Resolution: all open RFIs documented and resolved within 24 hours.
• Account Receivables Tracking: AR up-to-date weekly with clients given 1-week advance
notice for upcoming billings; escalate to Director of Finance after 1 week delay, and President after 2 weeks.
• Team Meeting Participation: attend and/or chair weekly project coordination meeting with
leadership, providing status on all active projects.
• Weekly Leadership Report: delivered by 2 PM each Friday outlining project updates
leadership should be aware of (e.g., critical path delays, outstanding client payments, upcoming permit approvals, final inspections) and high-level process improvements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with homeowners, trades, vendors, and team members in a professional, warm, and solution-oriented manner.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving abilities; comfortable managing project budgets and forecasting costs.
• Proficient with Buildertrend (project management, daily logs, scheduling, client communication) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel required).
• Experience with Procore and/or other construction PM software is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent ADU projects and coordinate complex schedules across trades, inspections, and client milestones.
• Proactive, assertive, and timely with effective decision-making skills; comfortable working under minimal supervision.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task effectively.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with field staff and trade partners to keep projects on track.
• Knowledge of local and state building codes, permit processes, and inspection requirements (California ADU law knowledge preferred).
• Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred.

• Comfortable with change and able to work effectively under time constraints, weather delays, or unexpected site conditions.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to travel daily to job sites throughout the Inland Empire and LA County.
• Able to work flexible hours and be available on-call for emergencies at the job site.

Minimum 2 years of construction project management or project engineering experience,
preferably in residential construction (ADU experience strongly preferred). Up to 5+ years for candidates entering at the Junior PM level.
• Demonstrated experience supporting subcontractors, budgets, schedules, and client
relationships on simultaneous projects.
• Proficiency in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with CASp/ADA requirements beneficial.