Project Leader 1 - Chantilly, VA

Overview

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber‑physical solutions for the nation’s most mission‑critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 9,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.

Why Join Us?

Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward‑thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.

Responsibilities

• Overall administration, organization and implementation of small electrical construction projects or parts of larger, more complex projects.
• Assist the project Superintendent in preparing project documentation requirements, project layout, and field‑office support.
• Develop and maintain a resource‑loaded CPM schedule with time‑scale logic in Microsoft Project or similar scheduling software.
• Coordinate and run a project kick‑off meeting (PKOM).
• Forecast cash flow and manpower needs for projects.
• Read and interpret blueprints and project specifications.
• Work with the project Superintendent to develop a budget and cost codes, assigning costs and manpower to the schedule for foreman‑level tracking.
• Research and compile submittals, pricing change orders, and prepare estimates for designed projects by completing the design and preparing a full project estimate.
• Meet with potential customers to present proposals.
• Understand and follow bid procedures and bid forms.
• Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, and design professionals to discuss and resolve work procedures, complaints, and construction problems.
• Coordinate acquisition of major materials and monitor tool and equipment requirements with the project Superintendent and the warehouse.
• Acquire all required permits and licenses for projects and ensure inspections are handled correctly and timely.
• Overall financial management of the project(s), keeping profitability at or above budget.
• Expedite all change orders.
• Assure timely completion of a project, including punch‑list items, accurate as‑built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, training, and other administrative requirements.
• Monitor project progress and prepare monthly reports analyzing the accuracy of budget, schedule, cash flow, and manpower forecasts.
• Identify opportunities for cost‑saving measures, quality improvement, and incorporate best practices.
• Ensure KPRs are complete and all information is accurate.
• Develop a detailed equipment plan.
• Ensure all safety regulations are adhered to.
• Review contracts and customer negotiations.

Qualifications

• Clearance/Citizen Type: Subject to a government security investigation; eligibility for classified information required; TS/SCI with Polygraph required.
• Education:
  • 7+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Math, or Physics (preferably ABET‑accredited), or
  • 5+ years of experience with a Master’s degree in Engineering.
• Experience:
  • Supervise multidisciplinary program teams responsible for IT services, help‑desk operations, badging and credentialing services, field support, and other mission‑critical operational programs.
  • Maintain operational, administrative, and programmatic oversight of activities performed at customer sites throughout the Chantilly and Herndon, Virginia area.
  • Provide leadership for resource planning, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, service delivery, and performance management to ensure successful execution of cross‑functional programs and operational services.
  • Coordinate with customers, internal stakeholders, and program teams to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and achievement of program objectives.
  • Extensive project‑management experience managing teams and monitoring multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Up‑front project involvement with engineering firms, clients, and General Contractors.
  • Proven track record of successful projects, including diverse groups on projects involving fire alarm, communications, security, AV, power, and instrumentation.
  • Prepare status reports and ensure plans adhere to business requirements.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to direct cross‑functional teams to reach mutual agreement.
  • Strong analytical thinking, leadership, coaching, and change‑facilitation abilities.
  • Ability to think abstractly in both short‑ and long‑term planning.

What We Offer

• A collaborative team inspired by engineering and innovation that enhances customer outcomes, improves lives, and changes the world.
• An opportunity to lead and build a business with the support of an industry‑leading firm that has been in business for 75 years.
• Investment in your skills and expertise through professional and technical training programs, including leadership training and tuition reimbursement.
• Open and transparent communication with senior leadership as well as local office management.
• Physical abilities requirements:
  • Exposure to computer screens for extended periods.
  • Sitting for extended periods.
  • Reaching by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Finger dexterity to manipulate objects (e.g