Commercial Superintendent – Portland Metro (TI, Seismic, Adaptive Reuse, Breweries)
About Us
Deform NW is a Portland-based commercial general contractor specializing in tenant improvements, seismic upgrades, adaptive reuse, and high-end bespoke commercial spaces such as breweries and restaurants. We are a small company built on repeat clients and steady relationships. Our focus is on delivering projects well, while keeping a healthy balance between work and personal life. This is not the grind that much of commercial construction can be. We respect personal time and pay for all hours worked.
Role Summary
The Superintendent leads day-to-day field operations on projects ranging from $300,000 to $5 million. You will drive scheduling, coordinate subcontractors, oversee safety compliance and quality control, and support budget tracking. Project managers handle contracts and foremen support self-perform tasks, so your focus stays on site leadership and delivery. You will also work closely with a project coordinator and project manager, meeting with them regularly. Supers are supported by a safety consultant, a company safety plan, and regular superintendent meetings. This role requires steady leadership and accountability, with a focus on schedule and budget as well as maintaining balance.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day site operations and keep project schedules on track
- Write and maintain your own project schedules
- Coordinate subcontractors, inspections, and city officials
- Monitor safety compliance, quality control, and overall site standards
- Track progress against budget targets and support cost tracking
- Write RFIs and manage responses with clarity
- Proficiency required in Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office, Teams, and SharePoint
- Communicate with PMs, coordinators, clients, and subs by email, text, and phone
- Maintain project documentation such as daily logs, photos, and as-builts
- Support foremen on limited self-perform work as needed
Qualifications
- 3 to 7 years of experience supervising commercial construction projects
- Experience with tenant improvements, seismic upgrades, adaptive reuse, or brewery and restaurant projects
- Strong ability to read drawings and manage multiple trades on site
- Clear communication and problem-solving skills
- Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required
- OSHA 10, fall protection, first aid, and common equipment certifications are required for the position. Other certifications in areas such as OSHA 30, excavation, scaffold, or confined space are a plus. We will evaluate your overall safety leadership and decision making in the field.
Compensation and Benefits
- $36 to $44 per hour DOE
- Hourly pay - every hour worked is paid
- Overtime paid in accordance with Oregon labor law
- PTO and sick pay
- Flexible scheduling when personal conflicts arise
- Mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use
- $75 monthly phone reimbursement
- Company card for project purchases
- Training reimbursement with pre-approval
- Projects are primarily within the Portland metro area, with occasional projects in nearby cities such as Salem, Hood River, or Forest Grove
- You will be supported with training reimbursement, phone reimbursement, and the guarantee that every hour worked is compensated
How to Apply
To apply, send a PDF resume and three references. Please include a short summary of your two most challenging projects and how you managed schedule or cost risks. We aim to hire before the 10th. Start date to be negotiated. If you are hungry to grow, steady on schedule and budget, and want to build good work without burning out, we want to hear from you.
Equal Opportunity
Deform NW is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds who meet the experience requirements of this role.
Job Type: Full-time
Base Pay: $36.00 - $44.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 – 45 per week
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Describe your approach to running job site orientation, safety meetings, and OAC meetings. How do you make sure information is clear, documented, and followed on site?
- Give an example of how you’ve dealt with a difficult subcontractor or crew. How did you keep them on task, on schedule, and delivering acceptable quality?
- What systems or tools do you use to stay on top of daily reports, photo logs, safety audits, and weekly progress updates?
- How do you balance schedule pressure with maintaining site safety and quality standards? Give an example.
- When a client, architect, subcontractor, or inspector raises an unexpected issue, how do you decide what to handle yourself versus escalate to the project manager?
- What does accountability mean to you as a superintendent on a $1–$5M project?
- Tell us about a commercial project you successfully led, ideally a tenant improvement, seismic upgrade, adaptive reuse, or brewery/restaurant build. What were the toughest schedule or budget challenges, and how did you handle them?
- Describe your approach to running job site orientation or safety meetings. How do you make sure information is clear, documented, and followed on site?
Experience:
- Superintendent: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Portland, OR 97202 (Required)
Work Location: In person
