California’s Trusted Partners for Engineering & Construction Leadership
Executive search for engineering and construction professionals responsible for complex project execution across California. We recruit the leaders who protect schedule, budget, and execution. Because when leadership performs, projects deliver.
Engineering & Construction Leadership Search
SkillCap is a California-focused executive search firm specializing in senior engineering and construction leadership roles that directly impact schedule, budget, and project delivery.
We partner with commercial builders, infrastructure contractors, engineering consulting firms, private developers, and public agencies to fill critical positions across the capital project lifecycle — from design and planning through field execution.
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Confidentiality & Trust
We maintain a focused network across California that includes licensed engineers, senior project managers, superintendents, estimators, schedulers, and capital program leaders — professionals whose decisions directly impact schedule, budget, and delivery.
Because many of the leaders we engage are not actively seeking new roles, discretion is critical. Candidate information is never shared without prior consent, and every client engagement is handled with strict confidentiality.
We operate with professionalism, transparency, and long-term partnership in mind.
We specialize in placing senior engineering and construction leadership across complex project sectors
LAND DEVELOPMENT & SITE CIVIL
TRANSPORTATION & TRAFFIC
COMMERCIAL & MULTI-FAMILY
INFASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC WORKS
ENVIRONMENTAL & WATER
UTILITIES & ENERGY
Engineering Leadership
SkillCap partners with leading engineering firms to recruit civil, structural, water, and transportation professionals responsible for complex infrastructure and land development projects across California. We specialize in identifying leaders who bring both technical depth and operational discipline — professionals trusted to protect schedule, manage risk, and drive execution from preconstruction through project delivery. Our network includes senior engineers and licensed experts who lead high-performing teams, navigate regulatory environments, and deliver critical public and private projects with precision.
Construction Leadership
SkillCap partners with leading general contractors and builders to recruit construction leaders responsible for complex project execution across California. We specialize in identifying senior project managers, project executives, superintendents, and operations leaders who protect schedule, control cost, and drive performance in high-stakes environments. Our network includes professionals experienced in commercial, multifamily, life science, infrastructure, and advanced technology builds — leaders trusted to align field operations with executive strategy and deliver projects with precision from preconstruction through closeout.
A Letter from Our Founders
Engineering and construction projects are unforgiving.
Schedules tighten. Budgets compress. Regulations evolve. And the people responsible for execution carry enormous pressure — because when leadership underperforms, projects suffer.
We’ve spent our career around construction and project environments. As former business owners in the industry we understand firsthand that hiring in this industry isn’t about filling a seat — it’s about protecting performance.
SkillCap was built with a focused mission: to identify and engage senior engineering and construction professionals who directly impact project delivery across California.
We work intentionally at the leadership level — civil engineers, project managers, superintendents, estimators, and capital program leaders whose decisions affect schedule, cost, and risk.
Our approach is disciplined and discreet. Many of the professionals we represent are not actively searching. They’re currently delivering complex projects. We engage them through targeted outreach, strong industry relationships, and a deep understanding of the California market.
We measure our success by one standard: did we strengthen your project team?
If execution matters to your organization, we would welcome the opportunity to partner.
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Steve Holt & Christin Michael
Founders & Managing Directors
SkillCap Partners
RECENT OPENINGS
Senior Project Manager
Location: Stockton, California
Commercial / Multifamily Construction
$150,000 – $190,000 Base + Bonus + Vehicle Allowance
About the Opportunity
A well-established California commercial builder is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead large-scale ground-up and tenant improvement projects throughout the Central Valley.
This role is responsible for full-cycle project execution — from preconstruction through closeout — ensuring schedule integrity, cost control, and client satisfaction across multiple concurrent projects.
This is a leadership position with direct oversight of Project Managers, Project Engineers, and coordination with Superintendents in the field.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead projects ranging from $10M–$60M in value
• Oversee budgeting, cost forecasting, and financial reporting
• Manage subcontractor negotiations and buyout strategy
• Develop and maintain master schedules in coordination with field leadership
• Ensure compliance with California building codes and safety standards
• Interface directly with ownership, architects, and consultants
• Drive risk mitigation and proactive problem-solving throughout project lifecycle
Qualifications
• 8+ years of commercial construction project management experience
• Experience with ground-up multifamily, industrial, or public works projects
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, cost controls, and scheduling
• Experience using Procore, Bluebeam, and MS Project (Primavera P6 a plus)
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred
• Proven leadership ability and client-facing communication skills
What Sets This Role Apart
• Strong backlog of secured projects
• Stable leadership team
• Growth track into Project Executive role
• Competitive compensation structure with performance bonuses
Senior Project Controls Manager
Thousand Oaks, California (Hybrid—3 days on-site)
Pharmaceutical/Biotech Capital Projects
$180,000 – $210,000 Base + Bonus
A globally recognized construction services business with over 150 years of history, is seeking a dedicated Project Controls Specialist to join our team in the US. We focus on delivering top-level services in high-tech and challenging industries, particularly in the Pharmaceutical/Bio-Tech and Themed/Attraction sectors.
The Project Controls Manager will ensure compliance with project controls procedures. This role requires a deep understanding of cost control/management, project estimating, and experience in various aspects of project controls, accounting, estimating, and forecasting/reporting.
Responsibilities:
Lead the Project Controls team in cost functions.
Manage original budget, current budget, current forecast, commitments, actuals, changes, Earned Value, productivity, CPI, SPI, staffing plans vs actuals by name, risk, commitment curve, cashflow curve, and accruals based on Work in Place.
Provide target value design setup and support to manage design to cost.
Develop and adhere to the Project Controls Plan for Estimating, Funding, Procurement, and Cost.
Develop and maintain project cost in the Cost Management Tool according to control accounts guidelines.
Perform reconciliation of cost data from local accounting systems to the project controls system of record.
Support the Project Manager on cost reporting, forecasting, and negotiation of contracts and change orders.
Develop reports on actuals, variances, trends, and re-forecast as necessary.
Ensure proper Change Management throughout the project phases.
Develop and maintain detailed Cash flow and Commitment flow throughout the project phases.
Evaluate external costs and develop internal cost estimates in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Participate in the value engineering process.
Analyze change orders for cost impact.
Perform bid cost comparisons for proposal review teams.
Provide costs and schedule impacts associated with identified project risks.
Review and validate contractual compliance of project invoices.
Assist in the financial project close-out.
Develop and ensure recording of the project’s historical cost information and "lessons learned" for future use.
Project Executive
Carlsbad, California
Life Science / Advanced Technology Construction
$185,000 – $230,000 Base + Bonus + Long-Term Incentive
About the Opportunity
A leading Southern California general contractor is seeking a Project Executive to oversee complex life science and advanced technology construction projects throughout San Diego County.
This role provides executive-level oversight across multiple high-profile projects, ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and client retention in highly technical build environments.
The Project Executive will lead a team of Senior Project Managers and field leadership while serving as the primary strategic liaison with ownership and executive stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
• Oversee multiple concurrent projects ranging from $25M–$150M
• Direct financial performance, forecasting, and margin protection
• Mentor and develop Senior PMs and field leadership
• Manage executive-level client relationships
• Lead preconstruction strategy and risk assessment
• Drive schedule accountability and performance metrics
• Ensure compliance with life science and cGMP build requirements
Qualifications
• 12+ years of commercial construction experience
• 5+ years in senior leadership role (Sr. PM or Project Executive)
• Experience delivering life science, biotech, clean room, or high-tech facilities
• Strong P&L management experience
• Proven track record managing high-performing teams
• Executive presence with client-facing leadership ability
Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS)
Sacramento, California
Land Development & Public Works
$110,000 – $130,000 Base + Bonus
About the Opportunity
A respected civil engineering and land development firm in the Sacramento region is seeking a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) to support boundary, topographic, subdivision, and construction projects across Northern California.
This role offers the opportunity to take technical ownership of survey deliverables while working closely with civil engineering teams on public and private sector developments.
The ideal candidate is a California-licensed PLS with strong knowledge of boundary law, mapping standards, and project coordination.
Key Responsibilities
• Prepare and review boundary, topographic, and ALTA surveys
• Sign and stamp survey documents in accordance with California regulations
• Prepare subdivision maps, legal descriptions, and plats
• Coordinate with civil engineers, project managers, and clients
• Provide oversight to field crews and office technicians
• Ensure compliance with California Subdivision Map Act and local agency requirements
• Support schedule management and project delivery
Qualifications
• Active California Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license (required)
• 5+ years of progressive surveying experience
• Strong working knowledge of California boundary law
• Experience with land development or public works projects
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and survey processing software
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive base salary: $110,000 – $130,000 depending on experience
• Annual performance bonus potential
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Professional development support
LEAD—Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS)
Temecula, California
Land Development & Public Works
$185,000 Base + Bonus
About the Opportunity
Skillcap has partnered with a well-established full-service civil engineering and land surveying firm delivering exceptional service and technical excellence across California. As the firm continues to expand its Inland Empire operations, they are seeking to hire a qualified surveying professional — Licensed Land Surveyor (LS) — to help lead and grow the team and to support public and private sector projects.
This is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals ready to lead, or for rising talent eager to grow into a leadership position under the mentorship of industry veterans.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Inland Empire survey department: supervise field and office staff.
Oversee project delivery, quality control, and compliance across all survey types.
Manage department operations including scheduling, resource planning, and backlog.
Serve as Surveyor in Responsible Charge; sign and seal applicable deliverables.
Collaborate with civil engineering teams and external stakeholders.
Drive business development through proposal preparation, client outreach, and industry engagement.
Represent SB&O in professional organizations (e.g., CLSA, ACEC).
Required Qualifications
California PLS license (Required)
8+ years of land surveying experience;
Deep understanding of ALTA/NSPS standards, Subdivision Map Act, local regs
Strong communication, leadership, and client relationship skills
Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D and field-to-finish survey workflows
The Offer
Competitive compensation and benefits
Tailored role and responsibilities depending on your licensure status
Career growth and mentorship for LSITs pursuing licensure
Leadership opportunities for Licensed Surveyors
Collaborative, team-driven culture with access to exciting projects
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to $185,000.00 per year