Thorson Baker & Associates Project Manager interview questions & guide 2026

The following questions are representative of what you can expect during the interview process at Thorson Baker & Associates. These questions are drawn from real-world engineering project management interview patterns and are designed to evaluate your technical competency, leadership style, and client-handling capabilities.

Technical & Design Engineering

This category tests your core engineering knowledge, familiarity with industry codes, and your ability to produce and review highly coordinated construction documents.

• How do you approach the design of complex electrical or mechanical systems for senior living or mixed-use facilities, and what unique code requirements do you prioritize?
• Describe your process for performing quality control reviews on construction documents prepared by junior engineers or CAD/BIM technicians.

Preparing for an interview at Thorson Baker & Associates requires a balanced focus on your technical engineering foundation and your project delivery capabilities. Because this is a client-facing leadership role, the hiring team wants to see that you can represent the firm professionally while keeping complex engineering projects on track.

Technical Competency & Code Knowledge – You must demonstrate a robust understanding of engineering principles relative to your discipline (Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, or Technology). Be prepared to discuss specific building systems, code compliance (such as NEC, IBC, or ASHRAE), and modern design tools like AutoCAD and Revit.

Financial & Scope Management – Project managers at TBA are directly responsible for project profitability. You should be ready to explain how you track design hours, identify scope creep, and draft additional services proposals. Interviewers will look for candidates who treat the project as a business.

Client Relations & Communication – Excellent oral and written communication skills are non-negotiable. You will be evaluated on your ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, lead design coordination meetings, and resolve construction-phase conflicts in a positive, collaborative manner.

Leadership & Mentorship – As a project manager, you will guide project engineers and BIM technicians. You need to show that you can foster a friendly, productive work environment, manage resource allocation efficiently, and maintain high standards of quality control.

The interview process at Thorson Baker & Associates is designed to evaluate both your technical proficiency and your cultural alignment with the firm’s collaborative, family-friendly environment. The process is streamlined, professional, and structured to give you a clear understanding of the expectations of the role.

The initial stage typically begins with a conversational screening call with a recruiter or human resources representative. This conversation focuses on your professional background, your experience in building systems design, your career goals, and alignment on compensation and location. It is also an opportunity to discuss the firm's flexible scheduling options and unique culture.

Following a successful screen, you will progress to a more detailed technical and managerial interview, which is often conducted by a Principal or Department Director. This interview deep-dives into your project portfolio, your technical design philosophy, and your experience managing budgets, clients, and design teams. You should expect to discuss specific projects you have led from schematic design through construction administration.

`

`

The visual timeline above outlines the standard progression from your initial contact through to the final decision. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they spend adequate time reviewing past project financials and technical challenges before the in-depth hiring manager and panel discussions. The entire process is highly collaborative, reflecting TBA's flat organizational structure and emphasis on teamwork.

Technical Leadership & Quality Control

Technical oversight is a cornerstone of the Project Manager role at Thorson Baker & Associates. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all calculations, drawings, and specifications are technically sound, cost-effective, and highly constructible.

Be ready to go over:

• QA/QC Processes – Your systematic approach to reviewing construction documents to catch coordination errors before they reach the field.
• BIM/Revit Workflows – How you leverage design technology to improve multidisciplinary coordination and reduce RFIs.

`

As a Project Manager at Thorson Baker & Associates, your day-to-day responsibilities will bridge the gap between technical engineering and professional project leadership. You will be responsible for leading the design of building systems for diverse project types, including senior living, mixed-use, retail, and commercial developments. This involves preparing calculations and ensuring the delivery of well-coordinated, technically sound, and constructible construction documents.

You will manage and mentor a team of project engineers, design engineers, and CAD/BIM technicians. This includes assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and conducting quality control reviews of all deliverables in a supportive and collaborative office environment. Your leadership will directly influence the professional growth of your team members.

Client relationship management is a core duty. You will serve as the primary point of contact for architects, owners, other engineering disciplines, building officials, and contractors throughout all design and construction phases. This includes attending design meetings, coordinating utility connections, and presenting engineering solutions to stakeholders.

On the financial and administrative side, you will prepare opinions of probable construction costs, review construction budgets, and manage change orders. You are expected to monitor project schedules and internal design budgets diligently. Additionally, you must be capable of identifying out-of-scope work during the design and construction processes and preparing additional services quotes for Principal review.

During the construction phase, you will oversee construction administration duties. This includes reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs, and coordinating with contractors and building officials. You will also travel nationally when necessary to conduct pre-design site visits, attend coordination meetings, and perform construction phase site observations, summarizing your findings in technical narrative reports.

To be competitive for a Project Manager position at Thorson Baker & Associates, you should possess a strong blend of technical expertise, project leadership experience, and professional credentials.

Technical & Academic Requirements

• Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering (depending on your specific discipline focus).
• Professional Credentials: Engineering Intern (EI / EIT) certification is required. A registered Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly preferred and will significantly strengthen your candidacy.
• Experience: Eight (8) or more years of experience in the engineering design of building systems, with a proven track record in senior living, mixed-use, commercial, or institutional projects.
• Software Proficiency: High efficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, along with hands-on familiarity with AutoCAD and Revit design environments.

Professional & Soft Skills

• Communication: Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clear technical narrative reports and present complex engineering concepts to non-technical clients.
• Work Ethic: A strong, self-motivated work ethic with the ability to manage multiple project deadlines efficiently.
• Adaptability: Willingness to work flexible hours and occasional overtime to meet critical project deadlines and client demands.
• Travel: Ability to travel nationally for site visits, client meetings, and construction observations.

Q: What is the typical interview timeline at Thorson Baker & Associates? A: The interview process is highly efficient, typically taking between two to four weeks from the initial recruiter screen to a final offer. TBA values clear communication and respects candidates' schedules, meaning you will receive timely feedback after each stage.

Q: How does Thorson Baker & Associates support professional development and licensing? A: TBA is highly committed to the professional growth of its employees. The firm provides professional development assistance, mentorship from senior Principals, and support for obtaining and maintaining your Professional Engineering (PE) license.

Q: What does the work-life balance look like for a Project Manager? A: TBA offers a highly flexible starting time policy with multiple scheduling options, such as working longer hours Monday through Thursday to enjoy shorter Fridays (e.g., 9-hour days with a 4-hour Friday). While occasional extra hours are needed to meet tight project deadlines, the firm actively promotes a healthy work-life balance and hybrid flexibility.

Q: How much travel is required for this role? A: Travel is project-dependent but generally moderate. You can expect occasional national travel for pre-design site visits, client design meetings, and construction-phase site observations. Most travel is planned well in advance.

Q: What is the office culture like at Thorson Baker & Associates? A: TBA boasts a friendly, collaborative, and highly social work environment. The company hosts numerous unique events, including winter and summer games, golf outings, holiday cook-offs, and catered lunches, fostering a tight-knit and supportive team dynamic.

To stand out during your interview at Thorson Baker & Associates, keep these strategic tips in mind:

Highlight Your Cross-Discipline Coordination Experience – TBA is a multi-discipline firm. Emphasize your experience coordinating with other engineering disciplines (such as structural, MEP, and technology) and how you proactively resolve coordination clashes during the design phase.

Come Prepared with Specific Project Stories – Be ready to discuss the scale, complexity, and financial outcomes of projects you have managed. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on your specific contributions as a project leader.

Demonstrate Client-Facing Confidence – Show that you are comfortable leading meetings, presenting design options, and handling difficult conversations with architects and owners. Your communication style should project professionalism, responsiveness, and a partnership-oriented mindset.

Express Alignment with the Company Culture – TBA values a friendly, hard-working, and collaborative office environment. Show enthusiasm for mentoring junior staff, participating in company social events, and contributing to a positive team dynamic.

A Project Manager career at Thorson Baker & Associates offers an exceptional opportunity to lead impactful engineering projects nationwide while enjoying a supportive, flexible, and growth-oriented company culture. By combining your technical design expertise with strong financial management, client communication, and team leadership, you can position yourself as a highly competitive candidate for this critical role.

As you prepare for your interviews, focus on reviewing your past project lifecycles, practicing your behavioral responses to client and scope management scenarios, and reinforcing your knowledge of building codes and Revit workflows. A structured, confident approach to your preparation will help you demonstrate your readiness to step into a key leadership position at TBA.

The salary ranges at Thorson Baker & Associates are highly competitive and vary based on your specific engineering discipline, geographic location, and years of experience. The wide bands reflect the firm's ability to structure compensation packages that reward senior technical expertise, professional licensing (PE), and proven project delivery success. Candidates can explore additional salary insights and detailed interview experiences on Dataford to help guide their compensation discussions.