Preconstruction Project Engineer
Thompson Thrift
Salary undisclosed
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Description
Influence Multifamily Projects Before Construction Begins
At Thompson Thrift, preconstruction is where successful multifamily developments take shape. As a Preconstruction Project Engineer based in Indianapolis, IN you'll play an important role in supporting construction planning, estimating, budgeting, and design coordination from schematic design through project handoff.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career construction professional looking to build expertise in preconstruction, construction estimating, project planning, budgeting, multifamily construction, and real estate development while working alongside experienced industry leaders.
Why Thompson Thrift?
Thompson Thrift is an integrated, full-service real estate company engaged in the development, construction, leasing, and management of high-quality multifamily communities nationwide. We’re committed to building exceptional places, and developing the people who make them possible.
At Thompson Thrift, you’ll find:
- Values-Driven Culture: Excellence, Service, and Leadership guide everything we do
- Career Growth: Training, mentorship, and long-term development opportunities
- Work-Life Support: Competitive benefits, flexibility, and wellness programs
- Real Impact: Hands-on involvement in industry-leading multifamily projects
Your Role as a Preconstruction Project Engineer
As a Preconstruction Project Engineer, you'll support the Preconstruction team through every stage of early project development, helping prepare multifamily construction projects for successful execution. Working closely with Preconstruction Managers, Project Managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and development teams, you'll assist with estimating, budgeting, bidding, design coordination, and project planning.
This role offers hands-on experience across the preconstruction lifecycle while providing a strong foundation for future growth in construction management, estimating, or project management.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with preparing construction estimates, budgets, bids, proposals, contracts, and presentations for multifamily construction projects.
- Support construction cost estimating, quantity takeoffs, and budget development.
- Analyze construction drawings, specifications, and project documentation to support accurate pricing and planning.
- Coordinate with Preconstruction Managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders throughout project planning.
- Assist in evaluating and recommending subcontractors and vendors during the bidding process.
- Support project feasibility reviews, value engineering, and cost-effective construction solutions.
- Track project costs against estimates and assist with budget analysis throughout the preconstruction process.
- Participate in project site visits to evaluate existing conditions and support accurate estimating.
- Assist with the transition from preconstruction to construction, ensuring projects are prepared for successful execution.
- Contribute as a proactive, collaborative member of a fast-paced preconstruction team.
Our Ideal Candidate for this Role
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related construction, engineering, or technical field.
Experience
- 1–3 years of experience in construction, preconstruction, estimating, internships, or similar project engineering roles.
- Internship experience within construction or estimating is welcomed.
Skills & Attributes
- Basic understanding of construction means, methods, and sequencing.
- Working knowledge of construction estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and cost analysis.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Collaborative team player with a proactive, self-motivated approach.
- Strong desire to learn, grow, and build a long-term career in multifamily construction and real estate development.
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
- Gain experience across the full preconstruction lifecycle of multifamily development projects.
- Work alongside experienced construction, development, and estimating professionals.
- Develop highly sought-after skills in construction estimating, budgeting, project planning, and cost management.
- Build a strong foundation for future advancement into estimating, project management, or construction leadership roles.
- Make a meaningful impact by helping shape successful multifamily communities before construction begins.
Benefits
- Gain experience across the full preconstruction lifecycle of multifamily development projects.
- Work alongside experienced construction, development, and estimating professionals.
- Develop highly sought-after skills in construction estimating, budgeting, project planning, and cost management.
- Build a strong foundation for future advancement into estimating, project management, or construction leadership roles.
- Make a meaningful impact by helping shape successful multifamily communities before construction begins.
About this role
Thompson Thrift's preconstruction team shapes multifamily developments from the earliest planning stages through construction handoff, and this internship puts you directly into that process. You'll support estimating, budgeting, design coordination, and project planning alongside experienced professionals—learning how construction gets priced, sequenced, and prepared for successful execution. The work spans quantity takeoffs and cost analysis, drawing interpretation, subcontractor evaluation, site visits, and value engineering, giving you exposure to the full preconstruction lifecycle in a real, high-volume development environment.
This role suits someone with a construction management or related degree and some prior construction or estimating experience (including internships). You'll need solid fundamentals in reading drawings, understanding construction methods, and working with Excel and Office tools, but the emphasis is on your ability to learn, stay organized across multiple projects, and collaborate effectively. Thompson Thrift explicitly invests in mentorship and long-term development, positioning this internship as a genuine entry point into estimating, project management, or construction leadership—not just a summer task.
How this employer is doing
solid
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In the news
Thompson Thrift Expands Denver Corporate Office to Support Continued Growth Across the Western U.S., Yahoo Finance
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Pay for this role
The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Preconstruction Project Engineer postings in Indianapolis, and analyze any offer before you accept it.
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