Design Manager
Senior Water/Wastewater Manager
Location: Orange County, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $140,000 - $200,000+ DOE
Lead Critical Water Infrastructure Projects That Shape Communities
A nationally recognized engineering consulting firm is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned engineer who thrives in both technical leadership and client-facing roles. You'll oversee major infrastructure programs, mentor multidisciplinary teams, and help drive projects that support public health, water reliability, and long-term community resilience.
What You'll Be Doing
Project Leadership
- Lead the delivery of complex water, wastewater, and utility infrastructure projects from planning through construction.
- Maintain overall responsibility for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction.
- Manage multiple projects and project teams simultaneously.
- Coordinate internal resources, subconsultants, and external stakeholders.
- Make critical technical and business decisions that influence project success.
Client & Business Development
- Build and sustain strong relationships with municipal agencies, utilities, and infrastructure owners.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and key decision-makers.
- Lead proposal development, interviews, project pursuits, and contract negotiations.
- Identify growth opportunities and help expand existing client relationships.
Technical Oversight
Provide senior-level guidance on:
- Water and wastewater treatment facilities
- Pump stations and conveyance systems
- Collection and transmission infrastructure
- Hydraulic analysis and process evaluations
- Utility master planning
- Rehabilitation and capital improvement programs
Review engineering reports, calculations, plans, specifications, and design packages.
Ensure projects comply with regulatory requirements and quality standards.
Team & Practice Leadership
- Mentor project managers, engineers, and technical staff.
- Support recruitment and team growth efforts.
- Foster collaboration and technical excellence across disciplines.
- Help establish best practices and improve project delivery processes.
Industry Involvement
- Participate in professional organizations, technical committees, and industry events.
- Represent the firm through presentations, publications, and client engagement.
- Stay informed on emerging technologies, regulations, and infrastructure funding opportunities.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- 12+ years of consulting engineering experience focused on water, wastewater, or utility infrastructure.
- Proven experience managing complex engineering projects from conception through delivery.
- Strong understanding of treatment processes, hydraulics, conveyance systems, and utility infrastructure.
- Experience managing project budgets, contracts, schedules, and quality programs.
- Excellent communication, presentation, leadership, and client management skills.
Preferred Experience
- Advanced degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
- Extensive treatment plant design experience.
- Collection systems, pumping stations, and utility master planning.
- Multidisciplinary project leadership.
- Construction-phase engineering and design support.
- Experience mentoring project managers and technical staff.
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 resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, 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.Â
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.Â
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