Construction Project Manager in Training

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

Have you led construction crews, coordinated complex projects, or managed schedules, budgets, and teams in another industry?

Are you ready to take your experience further and develop into a Construction Project Manager?

At High-Light Electric (HLE), we're looking for a Construction Project Manager in Training (PMNT) who brings relevant experience, leadership potential, accountability, and a genuine commitment to professional growth.

This is not an entry-level position. It's a development opportunity for experienced professionals who already have a strong foundation in construction operations, project coordination, or project management and want to build the skills needed to independently manage public works and civil infrastructure projects.

Working alongside experienced Project Managers and construction leadership, you'll gain hands-on exposure to project planning, financial management, field operations, compliance, and project execution.

You don't need to know everything on day one. You do need the experience, initiative, and willingness to learn, take ownership, and deliver results.

What You'll Do

As your knowledge and demonstrated capabilities grow, you'll progressively take on greater responsibility in:

• Project Planning & Execution: Support projects from preconstruction through closeout, including scheduling, resource coordination, procurement, and operational readiness.
• Financial & Cost Management: Develop proficiency in project budgets, cost tracking, forecasting, labor performance, and identifying financial risks.
• Project Documentation: Prepare and maintain RFIs, submittals, change orders, contracts, meeting records, and essential project documentation.
• Field & Office Coordination: Collaborate with Superintendents, Foremen, field crews, Project Accounting, Estimating, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Learn and apply public works requirements, prevailing wage, certified payroll, union labor agreements, safety standards, and contractual obligations.
• Leadership & Communication: Participate in project meetings, communicate progress, address challenges, and develop the judgment needed to make sound project decisions.

You'll receive guidance, mentoring, practical experience, and ongoing feedback while preparing for greater project ownership.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome candidates from several professional backgrounds:

Construction Field Leaders

Experienced Superintendents, Foremen, or Leads who understand field operations and are ready to develop their skills in project planning, financial management, documentation, and client coordination.

Construction Project Support Professionals

Project Coordinators, Project Engineers, Estimators, or similar professionals who have supported construction projects and are ready for greater responsibility and leadership.

Project Managers From Other Industries

Professionals with demonstrated experience managing budgets, schedules, teams, risks, and deliverables who are motivated to apply their skills in construction and public infrastructure.

What You'll Bring

• Typically 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in construction field leadership, construction project support, or project management in another industry.
• Demonstrated leadership, accountability, sound judgment, and consistent follow-through.
• Experience with scheduling, budgeting, cost tracking, project documentation, operational reporting, or comparable project controls.
• Understanding of construction operations and project lifecycles, or strong transferable project management experience.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with project data, documentation, digital tools, and cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to receive coaching, apply feedback, learn new systems, and take increasing responsibility.

Preferred, But Not Required:

• Experience in civil construction, electrical infrastructure, or public works.
• Familiarity with Procore, Viewpoint Vista, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of prevailing wage, certified payroll, DIR requirements, or union labor environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• PMP, CCM, Lean Construction, or related professional certifications.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.

Equivalent qualifications gained through practical experience, apprenticeships, specialized training, or education will be considered.

Additional Requirements

• Valid California driver's license and eligibility to drive under HLE's insurance carrier requirements.
• Ability to drive to active project sites as required for business operations.
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification, or willingness to obtain it within HLE's established timeframe.
• Ability to work on-site at our Colton office and travel to construction sites throughout Central and Southern California.
• Availability to support nighttime field operations and critical project needs when required.
• Ability to safely perform essential site-related duties, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Your Development Path

At HLE, professional growth is built through experience, accountability, continuous learning, and demonstrated results.

As a PMNT, you'll work closely with experienced project leadership while developing the technical, financial, operational, and leadership capabilities required to manage construction projects independently.

You'll participate in mentoring, training, performance discussions, and ongoing development aligned with The Mendoza Way and our BUILD talent management program.

Responsibilities will increase as you demonstrate readiness and consistent performance.

This position is designed as a development pathway toward Project Manager. Advancement is based on demonstrated competency, performance, and organizational needs and is not automatic or guaranteed within a specific timeframe.

What to Expect at HLE

• A primarily office-based role with regular travel to active construction sites.
• Exposure to roadway and infrastructure environments, including nighttime operations, live traffic, outdoor conditions, and construction equipment.
• Collaboration with experienced field leaders, Project Managers, and operational support teams.
• A performance-driven culture built on professionalism, respect, service, integrity, and accountability.
• Opportunities to strengthen your leadership capabilities while contributing to meaningful infrastructure projects.

Why Join High-Light Electric?

Founded in 1996, High-Light Electric is a California-based electrical infrastructure contractor specializing in public works and complex civil and electrical construction projects.

As part of Mendoza Companies, we're guided by Mission 2040: building a $1 billion business ecosystem connecting 1,000 families and communities through business by 2040.

We believe in building strong teams, developing capable leaders, and creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, life and AD&D insurance, employee appreciation programs, and more, subject to applicable plan terms.

If you have the experience, the drive to learn, and the commitment to take your career to the next level, we'd love to hear from you.

Equal Employment Opportunity

High-Light Electric, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. Criminal background inquiries and checks, if applicable, will be conducted after a conditional offer of employment, unless otherwise permitted by law.

The posted hourly range reflects HLE's expected base pay range for this position upon hire, excluding additional benefits. Actual compensation will depend on job-related experience, skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.