When it comes to getting the job done right, on-time, within budget, and to exacting standards it’s the Project Manager (PM) who’s steering the ship. Often working behind the scenes, these professionals are the bridge between technical design and real-world execution. At MFS Engineers & Surveyors, our PMs are essential to delivering high-quality, efficient, and safe engineering projects. But what exactly do they do and what do they know that makes them so valuable?
What Is a Project Manager?
A PM is a licensed engineer who not only understands the technical side of a project, but also takes responsibility for managing its planning, coordination, and execution. Think of them as both strategic planners and problem solvers who know how to translate design concepts into real, functioning outcomes.
They often lead multidisciplinary teams, manage schedules and budgets, communicate with stakeholders, ensure regulatory compliance, and monitor progress to avoid delays or cost overruns. Whether it’s designing a stormwater management system, overseeing bridge improvements, or guiding a land development project, a PM ensures that every moving part works together seamlessly.
What Project Managers Do
At MFS Engineers & Surveyors, our PMs manage a wide range of responsibilities across civil, structural, geotechnical, land survey, and construction disciplines. Here are some of their key roles:
1. Project Planning & Scoping
Before construction crews set foot on a site, PMs define the project’s scope, set objectives, estimate resources, and establish timelines. They conduct feasibility studies, manage permitting needs, and align project goals with client expectations and regulatory requirements.
2. Team Leadership & Coordination
PMs coordinate a variety of internal and external team members—engineers, surveyors, architects, subcontractors, and public agencies. They ensure that everyone is informed, aligned, and working efficiently toward a shared goal.
3. Budget & Schedule Management
PMs develop detailed project budgets and schedules, often using project management software. They are responsible for tracking progress, flagging risks, and adjusting, keeping everything on track.
4. Quality Control & Compliance
PMs are accountable for ensuring that work complies with industry standards, client requirements, and regulatory frameworks such as ADA, DOT specifications, or stormwater management codes.
5. Client Communication
From kickoff meetings to progress reports and final project delivery, PMs are the primary point of contact for clients. They make sure expectations are met—or exceeded—and keep stakeholders in the loop every step of the way.
What Project Managers Know
Being a PM requires more than just knowing how to read blueprints or run calculations. These professionals combine deep technical expertise with real-world business and communication skills. Here's what sets them apart:
1. Technical Mastery
Every PM at MFS has a solid foundation in civil engineering, and many have specialties in land surveying, geotechnical, structural, or site/civil engineering. They know how to interpret plans, calculate loads, understand soil conditions, and design resilient systems.
2. Project Lifecycle Insight
From site assessments and permitting through construction and closeout, PMs understand the entire project lifecycle. They know when and how to phase work, what to anticipate at each milestone, and how to pivot when the unexpected occurs.
3. Legal and Regulatory Knowledge
Our PMs are well-versed in the regulatory requirements of agencies such as NJDOT, NYCEDC, and NYCDOB. Whether it's ensuring a project complies with FEMA floodplain maps or meets agency-specific permitting standards, they help keep projects on track, compliant, and protected from liability.
4. Communication & Negotiation
Successful PMs must be skilled communicators—able to explain complex technical issues to non-engineers, negotiate contracts, resolve conflicts, and present findings to stakeholders ranging from municipal boards to private developers.
5. Leadership & Decision-Making
PMs make high-impact decisions daily, often with incomplete information. They rely on both data and intuition, balancing technical details with the bigger picture to move projects forward safely and efficiently.
The Value of a Project Manager at MFS
What sets MFS Engineers & Surveyors apart is the way our PMs integrate engineering precision with project leadership. With every project we take on, our managers uphold three principles:
- Responsiveness: Our clients know they can count on timely answers and proactive solutions.
- Accountability: Our PMs take full responsibility for quality, safety, budget, and schedule adherence.
- Teamwork: They foster collaboration not just within our company, but across the entire project ecosystem.
Whether we’re working on a public institution, transportation infrastructure, or commercial buildings, our Project managers are the engine behind successful delivery.
If you’re starting a new project, or just want to know what’s possible, our team is ready to lead the way. Contact us today to speak with one of our Project Managers and see how MFS can help move your next project forward.