Principal Engineer - Water & Wastewater | Denver, CO
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to lead and grow water and wastewater initiatives within a defined regional market. This role combines technical leadership, project oversight, and business development, with responsibility for delivering high-quality infrastructure projects while supporting team growth and operational success.
You will serve as a senior leader within the organization, guiding project teams, strengthening client relationships, and driving performance across engineering, financial, and operational metrics.
Key Responsibilities
Practice & Market Leadership
- Provide leadership for a water and wastewater practice within a local geographic area
- Act as a senior resource and mentor to project leaders and technical staff
- Represent the organization within the local market and broader industry
- Support a strong, collaborative culture and promote professional development
Project Oversight & Delivery
- Serve as Principal-in-Charge on key projects, maintaining accountability for overall success
- Oversee project execution to ensure alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations
- Review project performance metrics and provide direction to maintain profitability and client satisfaction
- Partner with project managers to address risks, resolve issues, and improve delivery outcomes
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality procedures
- Oversee preparation and delivery of engineering documents and client deliverables
Business Development & Client Engagement
- Actively pursue new business opportunities and expand relationships with existing clients
- Contribute to and lead proposal efforts, including strategy development and positioning
- Support achievement of regional and individual sales goals
- Identify emerging market trends and position the team for future opportunities
- Maintain a visible presence in industry organizations and the local community
Team Leadership & Resource Management
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance guidance to engineers and project teams
- Support hiring, staff development, and workforce planning efforts
- Ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation across projects
- Promote collaboration across teams and offices to optimize workload and utilization
Operations & Performance
- Monitor financial performance across projects, including revenue, utilization, and profitability
- Support invoicing, collections, and overall financial health of projects
- Participate in operational planning, including office-level goals and performance tracking
- Lead internal coordination meetings to align teams on priorities and performance expectations
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Implement and uphold quality management practices across projects and operations
- Promote consistency in processes, documentation, and project execution
- Identify opportunities to improve performance, efficiency, and client outcomes
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required
- 10+ years of experience in water and/or wastewater engineering
- Demonstrated experience serving in a project leadership or Principal-in-Charge capacity
- Proven track record of delivering profitable, high-performing projects
- Strong client relationship management and business development experience
- Ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and influence organizational performance
- Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills
- Active involvement in professional or industry organizations is preferred
Compensation
Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and overall alignment with the role. Total compensation may include base salary and performance-based incentives.
Work Environment & Expectations
- Primarily office-based with regular collaboration across teams
- Occasional travel for client meetings, project support, and industry engagement
- Active participation in team leadership, operational planning, and strategic initiatives
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your CV and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organisations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
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