Lead Pre-Construction Solutions Engineer – AV & Low Voltage

About the role

The Lead Pre-Construction Engineer supports new construction and renovation projects for primarily K-12 school district customers through accurate cost estimating, technical AV and low-voltage design development, and pre-construction planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost estimates for new construction and renovation projects, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and contingencies.
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, and scope documents to define system requirements and create Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Validate labor assumptions, installation complexity, and sequencing to ensure realistic and executable estimates.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering that optimize cost while maintaining performance, compliance, and long-term reliability.
• Maintain and refine historical pricing, labor models, and estimating standards.
• Design end-to-end AV and low-voltage solutions aligned with project goals, budgets, and construction constraints.
• Develop conceptual designs and system approaches for: Audio-Visual systems, Structured cabling, Video surveillance, Building access control, Intercom and life-safety–adjacent systems (where applicable).
• Collaborate with internal engineering, project management, and operations teams to ensure designs are constructable and scalable.
• Ensure proposed solutions comply with building codes, safety regulations, and industry standards.
• Serve as a technical mentor to junior estimators or engineers, promoting consistency, accuracy, and best practices.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration during the pre-construction and proposal phase, ensuring alignment between Sales, Engineering, and Operations.
• Present estimates, scopes, and technical approaches to internal stakeholders and, when needed, to clients or partners.
• Perform quality checks on estimates, scopes, and designs prior to submission or handoff.
• Flag assumptions, exclusions, and constraints clearly to avoid downstream change orders or margin erosion.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in construction estimating and solution architecture for commercial and K-12 projects.
• Strong understanding of building codes, safety standards, and sustainable design principles.
• Experience with design-build and integrated project delivery (IPD) models.
• Knowledge of emerging construction technologies and smart building systems.
• Able to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Fire Alarm, Intercom, and Data Structured Cabling experience a plus.

What to Expect

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus. Occasionally, will have to work in outside weather conditions. May also be required to use specialized equipment, machines, and drive a loading truck. Must be able to lift at least 150 pounds. 55-65% travel required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lockstep Technology Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.