Inspector / Field Engineer

Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex, we’re building more than a consulting and engineering firm—we’re creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you’ll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work.
 
Fueled by high-quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. Our success is grounded in strong leadership, a collaborative culture, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes.
 
As we continue to expand, we're looking for high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, innovate, and create impact. At Apex, you help shape what's next. When we succeed together, we share in that success. All Apex positions are eligible for annual bonus opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing and rewarding meaningful contributions that drive our collective growth.

Summary

The Inspector / Field Engineer supports Construction Management (CM), construction inspection, and field engineering services for public works and civil infrastructure projects. The position serves as an on-site representative of the project team and assists in monitoring construction activities for compliance with approved plans, specifications, contract documents, applicable codes, permits, agency standards, and accepted construction practices.

The position requires a combination of field inspection capabilities and technical understanding of civil engineering and construction. The Field Engineer / Inspector must be capable of reading and interpreting engineering plans and specifications, observing and documenting construction activities, identifying potential deficiencies or conflicts, coordinating with contractors and project stakeholders, and preparing accurate and detailed daily inspection reports.

Projects may include streets and roadways, sidewalks and pedestrian facilities, water and wastewater systems, storm drains and drainage facilities, utilities, transportation improvements, parks and open space, grading and earthwork, concrete improvements, pavement rehabilitation, and other municipal and public works infrastructure.

The position may be filled by an experienced construction inspector with appropriate technical knowledge and certifications or by an individual with an engineering educational background who has developed, or is developing, strong construction inspection and construction management capabilities. Engineering education, Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are desirable and may provide opportunities for increased field engineering and construction management responsibilities.

 Job Duties

• Perform construction inspection and field engineering activities on public works, municipal, transportation, utility, and other civil infrastructure construction projects.
• Observe construction activities for general conformance with approved plans, specifications, standard plans, special provisions, permits, contract requirements, applicable codes, and agency standards.
• Read, understand, and interpret civil engineering plans, profiles, cross sections, details, specifications, construction schedules, contract documents, standard plans, and technical reports.
• Prepare complete, accurate, and timely daily inspection reports and construction logs documenting work performed, contractor personnel and equipment, construction activities, quantities, materials, weather conditions, testing activities, site conditions, delays, conflicts, discussions, instructions, visitors, photographs, and other relevant project information.
• Maintain organized photographic documentation of construction progress, existing conditions, completed work, deficiencies, corrective work, concealed improvements, and other significant project conditions.
• Inspect and document construction involving civil infrastructure, which may include:
  • Streets, roadways, pavement rehabilitation, and asphalt improvements;
  • Curbs, gutters, sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian facilities, and ADA improvements;
  • Water distribution and transmission systems;
  • Sanitary sewer and wastewater systems;
  • Storm drains, drainage systems, channels, and stormwater facilities;
  • Wet and dry utilities and utility relocations;
  • Grading, excavation, trenching, backfill, and earthwork;
  • Concrete structures and improvements;
  • Transportation, traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements;
  • Parks, recreational facilities, trails, landscaping, and open-space improvements; and
  • Other municipal and public works infrastructure.
  • Monitor contractor workmanship and materials and identify work that appears inconsistent with the plans, specifications, approved submittals, applicable standards, or accepted construction practices.
• Promptly identify and communicate field conflicts, discrepancies, changed conditions, potential deficiencies, constructability issues, and other concerns to the Construction Manager, Resident Engineer, Project Manager, design engineer, or other appropriate project representative.
• Assist with interpretation of plans and specifications and coordinate field questions with the appropriate engineering or construction management personnel. Understand the limits of the Inspector's authority and obtain appropriate direction before authorizing changes to the work.
• Review and track Requests for Information (RFIs), submittals, shop drawings, field directives, change orders, design clarifications, and other construction documents as assigned.
• Observe and document contractor progress and assist the project team in evaluating whether construction activities are consistent with the approved construction schedule.
• Perform field measurements, quantity calculations, and documentation necessary to verify installed quantities, progress payments, force-account work, extra work, and completed construction.
• Assist with review and verification of contractor progress payment quantities and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and document specialty inspections and construction materials testing, including testing of concrete, soils, aggregate, asphalt, compaction, and other construction materials.
• Coordinate with geotechnical engineers, materials testing laboratories, special inspectors, and other technical subconsultants to schedule required testing and inspections and verify that appropriate testing is performed at the required locations and frequencies.
• Review field and laboratory testing reports and promptly communicate failed tests, nonconforming results, or other concerns to the appropriate project personnel.
• Develop an understanding of geotechnical construction requirements, including excavation, subgrade preparation, fill placement, moisture conditioning, compaction, trench backfill, pavement sections, and foundation preparation.
• Observe concrete placement activities and coordinate required testing, including slump, air content, temperature, concrete cylinders, compressive strength testing, and other required quality-control or quality-assurance activities.
• Monitor construction-site stormwater requirements and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), Construction General Permit (CGP) requirements, erosion and sediment controls, track-out controls, material storage, concrete washout, inlet protection, and other applicable stormwater requirements.
• Document BMP deficiencies and changing site conditions and communicate needed corrective actions to appropriate project personnel.
• Observe traffic control, pedestrian access, temporary construction facilities, work-zone conditions, and other measures intended to protect workers and the traveling public, and promptly communicate observed deficiencies.
• Coordinate in the field with contractors, subcontractors, utility companies, agency representatives, residents, businesses, property owners, design consultants, testing laboratories, surveyors, and other project stakeholders.
• Maintain professional and effective communication with contractors while representing the interests of the client and maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity in inspection activities.
• Attend preconstruction meetings, progress meetings, coordination meetings, field meetings, utility meetings, and other project meetings as required.
• Assist with preparation of meeting notes, action-item lists, field memoranda, deficiency notices, punch lists, progress reports, and other construction documentation.
• Assist with utility coordination and verification of existing and proposed utilities, including observation of potholing, utility crossings, relocations, connections, and potential utility conflicts.
• Participate in substantial completion, final inspection, punch-list, and project closeout activities.
• Assist in reviewing and documenting record drawings and as-built information and verify that significant field changes are appropriately documented.
• Assist in assembling project closeout records, including daily reports, photographs, testing reports, RFIs, submittals, change documentation, warranties, punch lists, record drawings, and other required construction records.
• Maintain accurate and organized electronic and hard-copy project files in accordance with company and client requirements.
• Use computers, tablets, mobile devices, digital cameras, PDF software, Microsoft Office applications, construction management platforms, and client-specific project management/document-control systems to prepare and maintain project records.
• Perform work in accordance with company safety requirements and project-specific safety procedures and maintain awareness of construction-site hazards.
• Travel to project sites and work primarily in field environments as required by project assignments. Work may occasionally include nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, or hours outside of normal business hours depending upon construction activities and client requirements.
• Perform other construction inspection, field engineering, and construction management duties as assigned.

Required Competencies and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. College-level coursework, technical education, construction-related education, or engineering education is strongly preferred.
• Relevant experience in construction inspection, construction management, civil engineering, field engineering, public works construction, heavy civil construction, utility construction, or a related field. Education in civil engineering or a related discipline may substitute for a portion of required field experience for entry-level Field Engineer candidates.
• Working knowledge of civil construction methods, materials, terminology, sequencing, and standard construction practices, or demonstrated ability to rapidly develop such knowledge.
• Ability to read and interpret civil engineering construction plans, specifications, details, standard plans, and contract documents.
• Ability to understand grades, elevations, dimensions, stationing, slopes, alignments, quantities, and other information typically shown on civil engineering construction plans.
• Ability to prepare clear, complete, objective, and technically accurate daily inspection reports and field documentation.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to document construction activities, deficiencies, field conditions, conversations, and project events in a factual and professional manner.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, agency staff, subconsultants, utility representatives, property owners, residents, and members of the public.
• Ability to observe construction activities carefully and identify discrepancies between field conditions and project requirements.
• Ability to perform basic engineering and construction calculations, including quantities, areas, volumes, slopes, elevations, and measurement of completed work.
• Ability to maintain detailed, accurate, and organized project records.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PDF software, mobile devices, digital photography, and other standard business and field-documentation technology.
• Ability to learn and use client-specific construction management, document-control, inspection, and reporting software.
• Ability to work independently in the field while maintaining effective communication with the Construction Manager, Resident Engineer, Project Manager, and other project personnel.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and recognize when a field condition or contractor request requires escalation to the Construction Manager, Resident Engineer, design engineer, or client.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with contractors while objectively enforcing project requirements and protecting the client's interests.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors and at active construction sites under varying weather, terrain, traffic, noise, dust, and construction conditions.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to construction sites and other project locations.

Desired Competencies and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, or a related engineering or technical discipline.
• Completion of substantial coursework toward a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline may also be considered desirable for candidates with appropriate field experience.
• Current Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Current Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably as a Civil Engineer in the state of California.
• Experience providing construction inspection or construction management services directly to cities, counties, special districts, transportation agencies, water/wastewater agencies, or other public-sector clients.
• Experience with public works construction standards and specifications, including applicable agency standard plans and specifications and, where relevant, Greenbook, Caltrans Standard Plans and Specifications, MUTCD/California MUTCD, ADA, PROWAG, and other applicable standards.
• Knowledge of public works contract administration and the roles and responsibilities of the Owner, Construction Manager, Resident Engineer, Inspector, Designer, Contractor, and specialty consultants.
• Experience coordinating geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and special inspection services.
• Familiarity with concrete, asphalt, soils, aggregate, compaction, welding, coatings, pipeline, or other applicable inspection and testing procedures.
• Relevant inspection or materials-testing certifications such as ACI, ICC, NICET, Caltrans, or other recognized construction inspection certifications applicable to assigned projects.
• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety training.
• Stormwater-related training or certifications and experience implementing or inspecting SWPPP and BMP requirements. QSP/QSD certification is desirable for projects where applicable.
• Experience with federally funded, state-funded, or grant-funded public works projects and associated construction documentation requirements.
• Experience with prevailing wage projects and familiarity with labor-compliance documentation and contractor workforce reporting requirements.
• Experience with construction management software, electronic document-control systems, inspection applications, scheduling software, and client-specific project management platforms.
• Experience performing or supporting Construction Manager or Resident Engineer responsibilities.
• Ability to review construction schedules and understand critical activities, sequencing, milestones, delays, and potential schedule impacts.
• Experience reviewing and coordinating RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, change orders, field directives, nonconformance items, and design clarifications.
• Ability to assist in evaluating contractor change-order requests, changed conditions, extra work, time impacts, and supporting cost documentation.
• Experience reviewing contractor progress payment applications, installed quantities, schedule of values, and supporting documentation.
• Experience conducting or assisting with preconstruction meetings, progress meetings, field coordination meetings, and project closeout meetings.
• Ability to identify potential construction risks, claims issues, schedule impacts, cost impacts, and constructability concerns and elevate them to project leadership before they materially affect the project.
• Experience assisting with project schedule, budget, change management, quality management, document control, and construction contract administration.
• Ability to take progressively greater responsibility for construction management assignments, including serving as an Assistant Construction Manager, Assistant Resident Engineer, Construction Manager, or Resident Engineer when qualifications and project requirements allow.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between design intent, construction means and methods, inspection responsibilities, quality assurance/quality control, contract administration, and successful delivery of public infrastructure projects.

Why you'll love working for us:

• Company-subsidized medical and dental.
• Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.
• 401k match, tuition assistance, and more.
• Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.
• Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.
• Working with the best and brightest in the industry.
• 2,000+ employee national firm with 70+ locations across the US.

Job ID: 12104

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