The Front End Superintendent owns the first half of the building — from mobilization and site logistics through foundations, structure, exterior envelope, MEP rough-in, and dry-in. This role sets the pace, quality standard, and dimensional accuracy that every downstream trade inherits, and is accountable for delivering a weather-tight, inspected, correctly built shell on the date the schedule promises.
The front end is where schedule is won or lost. This position is measured on building-by-building dry-in dates, rough-in inspection pass rates, concealed-condition quality, and the cleanliness of the handoff to finish operations — a building turned over with rework buried in the walls is not a successful front end.
Responsibilities:
Mobilization & Site Logistics
- Establish the site: temporary power and water, fencing and gates, trailer and laydown placement, haul routes, parking, sanitation, and jobsite signage.
- Verify survey control, benchmarks, and building corners prior to any vertical work; confirm layout against the civil and architectural documents.
- Coordinate erosion and sediment control, SWPPP compliance, and NPDES inspection documentation with the site team.
- Develop and maintain the site logistics plan as the project advances, including crane and hoist placement, material staging, and trade access sequencing.
Foundations & Structure
- Direct footings, foundations, slab-on-grade, and podium or structural deck work; verify underslab utilities, sleeves, and embeds before pours.
- Manage concrete operations — pre-pour checklists, rebar and PT inspections, placement, finishing, curing, testing, and cold- and hot-weather protection.
- Oversee wood framing, light-gauge metal framing, or structural steel erection to plan dimensions, elevations, and engineering requirements.
- Enforce dimensional accuracy and tolerance control; catch and correct layout drift before it compounds across floors or buildings.
- Coordinate structural special inspections and third-party testing; maintain the inspection record.
MEP Rough-In Coordination
- Sequence plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and low-voltage rough-in to avoid trade stacking and rework.
- Verify rough-in against coordination drawings and shop drawings; resolve conflicts in the field and escalate design issues through RFIs.
- Manage in-wall inspections — plumbing top-out, DWV testing, electrical rough, framing, fire-stopping, and insulation — and confirm readiness before the inspector arrives.
- Ensure no concealment occurs before required inspections and photo documentation are complete.
Envelope & Dry-In
- Drive the exterior envelope scope — sheathing, weather-resistive barrier, flashing, windows and doors, roofing, and exterior finish systems.
- Enforce manufacturer installation requirements and warranty conditions; conduct pre-installation meetings and mock-ups for critical envelope assemblies.
- Manage water-management detailing at penetrations, transitions, balconies, and terminations; conduct or coordinate water testing where required.
- Own the dry-in milestone building by building and protect completed work from weather, damage, and premature trade access.
Schedule, Safety & Team Leadership
- Maintain and drive the three-week look-ahead for all front end scopes; provide schedule input, constraint status, and recovery options to the project team.
- Champion Forge's safety program with particular focus on fall protection, crane and rigging operations, scaffolding, excavation, and hot work.
- Lead subcontractor coordination meetings, pre-installation meetings, and pull planning sessions for front end trades.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop Assistant Superintendents and field staff assigned to the front end.
- Execute a documented handoff to the Finish Superintendent — dry-in verification, open items, inspection status, and known conditions.
Requirements
Required
- 5+ years of commercial or multifamily construction superintendent or assistant superintendent experience, with demonstrated ownership of structure, rough-in, and envelope scopes.
- Proven ability to run ground-up work from mobilization through dry-in on schedule.
- Strong command of construction documents, shop drawings, and coordination drawings across architectural, structural, and MEP disciplines.
- Working knowledge of building codes, inspection sequences, and AHJ processes in Kentucky and Indiana jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated ability to hold subcontractors accountable to schedule, quality, and safety expectations.
- Proficiency with Procore or comparable project management software, Bluebeam, and scheduling software.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation; ability to be assigned regionally.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- Wood-frame, light-gauge metal, and podium multifamily experience.
- Senior living or mixed-use project experience.
- Familiarity with LIHTC, HUD, or other affordable housing program inspection and documentation requirements.
- Concrete, framing, or envelope trade background.
- Working proficiency in Spanish.
Benefits
Forge Construction offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, vehicle or vehicle allowance, cell phone and technology allowance, and project completion incentive eligibility. Compensation range to be confirmed by Human Resources prior to posting.
