Position Summary
The Preconstruction Engineer provides administrative and production support to the estimating team. The role organizes, files, and maintains bid documents and the bid calendar; monitors owner and district websites for addenda; distributes documents to internal and external teams; performs quantity take-offs; and completes support tasks assigned by the Estimators in accordance with their job descriptions.
This position carries no decision-making authority. All scope determinations, pricing decisions, bid selections, and commitments are made by the assigned Estimator or the Director of Preconstruction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Bid Document Control
- Downloads, organizes, files, and names all bid documents, including RFPs, plans, specifications, geotechnical and testing reports, and addenda, following REEDER's established folder structure and nomenclature.
- Uploads new drawings to the server and take-off software, and organizes and renames plan sheets.
- Adds addenda sheets to the current set and cuts addenda changes into the working documents.
- Maintains the document log for each pursuit so the current document set is identifiable at any time.
- Applies proper nomenclature when setting up new jobs.
- Retrieves and files historical bid documents and estimates on request.
Addenda Monitoring and Distribution
- Monitors relevant school district, owner, architect, and plan room websites and procurement portals on a recurring basis to confirm all addenda and document revisions are received.
- Logs each addendum on receipt with date, source, and affected scopes, and confirms nothing has been missed against the posted document list.
- Distributes bid documents, addenda, and document updates to internal team members and to external subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers via BuildingConnected.
- Confirms delivery and receipt of distributed documents and follows up where receipt is not confirmed.
- Notifies the Director of Preconstruction and the assigned Estimator promptly of any addendum affecting scope, quantities, or the bid date.
Bid Calendar Maintenance
- Maintains and updates the bid calendar as the department's record of all pursuit dates, including question deadlines, pre-bid meetings, addenda cutoffs, and submission dates.
- Enters new pursuits on the calendar as assigned and updates dates when solicitations are revised or postponed.
- Circulates the current bid calendar to the department on the established schedule.
- Flags approaching deadlines to the assigned Estimator and the Director of Preconstruction.
Quantity Take-Offs
- Performs quantity take-offs for assigned trades and scopes using PlanSwift / OST as directed.
- Enters take-off quantities on trade tab sheets in the format specified by the assigned Estimator.
- Assists the Virtual Design (BIM) Department in generating quantities from design models where models are available.
- Documents the drawing sheets, revision level, and assumptions used for each take-off so the work can be verified.
- Revises take-offs to reflect addenda and drawing revisions.
Meeting and Solicitation Support
- Attends weekly bid coordination, day-before-bid coordination, and bid day meetings; records minutes; and distributes them to the team.
- Attends pre-bid meetings and site walks, records observations, and documents existing conditions with photographs.
- Sets up new jobs and issues invitations to bid in BuildingConnected and iSQFT as directed.
- Calls subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers in advance of bid day to confirm participation, and reports coverage status by scope to the assigned Estimator.
- Maintains the master vendor database and the vendor records within BuildingConnected and iSQFT.
- Collects and files subcontractor prequalification documentation, including experience, bonding, insurance, and financial information, for review by others.
- Organizes, files, and names all subcontractor bids on the server following bid day.
- Relays post-bid questions from subcontractors to the assigned Estimator and communicates the responses provided.
- Maintains a positive and professional customer service experience with all subcontractors and vendors.
Estimating and Submission Support
- Builds bid spreadsheets with all applicable CSI codes, adds bidding subcontractors and vendors, and checks all formulas for accuracy.
- Enters subcontractor and supplier pricing onto bid spreadsheets and tabulation sheets as received.
- Compiles required forms, certifications, and compliance items for bid and proposal submissions.
- Verifies submission packages against the solicitation's checklist and reports missing or incomplete items to the assigned Estimator.
- Assembles, prints, and organizes final submission packages for review prior to delivery.
- Enters and updates cost information in the unit cost database as directed.
- Completes additional administrative and production tasks assigned by the Estimators in support of the duties described in their job descriptions.
Qualification Requirements
- Associate's or B.S. degree in Construction Management, Construction Science, Civil or Architectural Engineering, or equivalent construction office experience.
- Zero to two (2) years of experience in a construction office, estimating, or document control role; internship or co-op experience is preferred but not mandatory.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications sufficiently to perform take-offs and identify affected scopes.
- Working proficiency in MS Excel, including formulas, formatting, and multi-sheet workbooks, and in MS Word and Outlook.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and accuracy in recordkeeping and file management.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for correspondence with subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams.
- Valid driver's license and the ability to travel to project sites within the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
Software Familiarity / Proficiency
- BlueBeam
- Adobe
- OST / PlanSwift
- BuildingConnected
- iSQFT
- MS Excel
- MS Word
- MS Outlook
Preferred Experience
- Prior document control, bid coordination, or construction administrative experience with a general contractor or subcontractor.
- Exposure to K-12 or other public-sector construction and to CSP, CM@R, JOC, and design-build solicitations.
- Experience with digital take-off software.
- Familiarity with BuildingConnected, iSQFT, or comparable bid management and solicitation platforms.
- Familiarity with Procore or comparable construction management software.
Core Competencies
Accuracy and Attention to Detail. Produces take-offs, spreadsheets, logs, and submission packages that are correct on the first pass. Verifies quantities and cross-checks documents rather than assuming.
Organization and Recordkeeping. Keeps files, plan sets, document logs, vendor records, and the bid calendar current and correctly named so any team member can locate what they need without assistance.
Follow-Through. Tracks assigned tasks to completion without prompting and closes the loop on document distribution, receipt confirmation, and subcontractor follow-up.
Escalation Over Interpretation. Recognizes when something is unclear, missing, or inconsistent and raises it to the assigned Estimator rather than resolving it independently or making assumptions.
Deadline Discipline. Understands that bid dates are fixed. Works backward from submission deadlines and reports schedule or coverage risk early.
Communication and Professionalism. Represents REEDER credibly in written and verbal contact with subcontractors, vendors, and design teams. Writes clearly and concisely.
Coachability. Accepts direction and correction from the assigned Estimator and the Director of Preconstruction, and applies feedback consistently.
Collaboration and Integrity. Supports the department's shared workload, works effectively with estimating and operations, and acts consistently with the "REEDER's Way."
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Working Environment
- Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds
- May require periods of travel
- Normal office environment
- Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen
REEDER General Contractors is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We expect every member of the REEDER community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included, and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.
Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly, and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.
