Department Manager, Construction Materials Testing (CMT)

Job Description

ECS Group of Companies is hiring a Department Manager, Construction Materials Testing (CMT) to lead CMT field and laboratory operations in Pittsburgh, PA. You will manage staff, schedules, QA/QC, client delivery, and financial performance while helping grow CMT services across transportation, commercial, industrial, and public-sector projects. You will join an employee-owned (ESOP) firm where department leaders influence decisions and outcomes directly.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the CMT department, including field testing, construction observation, and laboratory testing for soil, aggregate, asphalt, and concrete.

• Manage the full project lifecycle for CMT and field services, including scope, staffing, scheduling, deliverables, and closeout.

• Supervise and develop a team of CMT engineers, project managers, inspectors, and field/lab technicians, including training plans, mentoring, and performance management.

• Implement and enforce QA/QC programs aligned with ASTM, AASHTO, PennDOT, municipal specifications, and project-specific requirements.

• Oversee safety performance for field operations, including job hazard planning and compliance with company and site safety requirements.

• Provide technical oversight and review for proposals, work plans, field reports, test results, certifications, and summaries, including interpretation of specifications and acceptance criteria.

• Coordinate with contractors, owners, resident engineers, and design teams to resolve field issues and keep projects moving.

• Track and manage department financial performance, including budgeting, revenue forecasting, utilization, backlog, and margin.

• Support business growth through client meetings, proposal support, relationship development, and local industry involvement.

• Promote a high-engagement culture with clear expectations, consistent communication, and a focus on quality delivery.

Basic Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction materials testing (CMT) and field services, including leadership responsibility.

• Demonstrated experience with construction observation, field QA testing, laboratory testing, and earthwork/grading oversight.

• Strong working knowledge of CMT testing methods and specifications, such as:

  • Concrete: slump, air, temperature, compressive strength sampling, cylinder breaks, mix/design conformance

  • Soils/earthwork: moisture-density relationships, proofrolling support, compaction testing, subgrade evaluation

  • Aggregates: gradation, proctor support, moisture, density, and related acceptance testing

  • Asphalt: sampling/field density support, basic QA coordination, spec compliance tracking

• Proven ability to manage team performance, schedules, and multi-project workloads in a high-velocity construction environment.

• Experience with department or program financials including budgets, forecasts, and revenue tracking.

• Ability to communicate clearly with clients, contractors, and internal teams and to resolve field conflicts with practical judgment.

• Valid drivers license and ability to visit job sites in the Pittsburgh region.

Required Education and Certifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Active, relevant certifications such as (or similar):

  • ACI (Concrete Field Testing Technician or higher)

  • NICET (Construction Materials Testing or related)

  • ICC (special inspections or related)

Preferred Qualifications

• BS or MS in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.

• Experience leading or supporting special inspections programs and building envelope or structural observation coordination (as applicable to your service mix).

• Additional advanced credentials aligned with your client base and specifications (DOT, ICC, AWS, etc.).

Why ECS

At ECS, collaboration is how we operate and developing our people is a core commitment. You will lead meaningful, multi-disciplinary work in a low-bureaucracy environment, with growth support tied to clear career milestones. As an employee-owned firm, you have a stake in outcomes through our ESOP and a voice in how the work gets done.

Ready to lead a CMT team with real operational ownership in Pittsburgh? Apply here or reach out to start a conversation.