Director of Engineering - Wastewater

GAI Consultants, Inc.; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Relocation assistance

Licensing and certification support

Annual bonus

Job summary

GAI Consultants, Inc. seeks an Engineering Director, P.E. for Orlando to lead the Florida Water Division.

This hybrid role focuses on growing a multidisciplinary team delivering planning, design, permitting, and construction for water and wastewater projects statewide. The role requires 15+ years in water utilities, a Florida‑focused network, and demonstrated leadership in business development and client relations.

Qualifications

• PE license with reciprocity in multiple states.
• 15+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience across planning, design, permitting, and construction of water utilities.
• Strong knowledge of the Florida municipal water/wastewater market.
• Proven leadership and business development abilities; travel 10–30%.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage and guide multidiscipline teams on planning, design, permitting, and construction projects for water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems.
• Plan and manage projects from inception through construction and start-up, including scope, schedule, budget, safety, QA/QC, profitability, and client satisfaction.
• Support the development and management of a team of project managers, engineers, construction professionals, and technicians.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-career staff in technical and project management knowledge.
• Lead project pursuits to win new work by building client relationships and pursuing opportunities.
• Coordinate proposed scope, schedule, and fee for selected projects.
• Collaborate with civil infrastructure, transportation, CEI, urban planning to market and deliver full-service opportunities.

Skills

Project leadership

Water/wastewater engineering

Client relations

Business development

Team mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Job description

Engineering Director, P.E., Orlando, FL

Water / Wastewater Utilities | Orlando, FL | Hybrid

Lead and grow GAI’s Florida Water Division from our Orlando office. In this role you will support the development and management of a team of project managers, engineers, and technicians delivering the full spectrum of water utility consulting services, planning, design, permitting, and construction for public and private clients statewide. You will lead business strategy, project pursuits and client marketing, monitor and manage the performance of projects under your direction, and contribute directly to the overall success of the GAI’s National Water team.

We are seeking a licensed Professional Engineer with 15+ years of experience across water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems, infrastructure renewal and replacement programs, pump stations, water storage tanks and facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and facility upgrades and rehabilitation, plus strong client relationships in the Florida municipal water/wastewater market and proven technical, project management, professional leadership, and business development abilities, to join our strategic growth team as the Florida Water group expands its portfolio and range of services.

At GAI you get direct access to leadership, a defined development program, and the stability of a firm that has been solving infrastructure challenges since 1958, with a National Water team actively expanding its portfolio and services and a clear path to grow with it.

FLORIDA WATER GROWTH

STATEWIDE CLIENTS

FULL-SPECTRUM UTILITY SERVICES

What You Will Do

• Independently manage and guide multidiscipline teams on the delivery of planning, design, permitting, and construction projects related to water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems, infrastructure renewal and replacement programs, pump stations, water storage tanks and facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and facility upgrades and rehabilitation, among other infrastructure projects.
• Plan and manage projects from inception through construction and start-up, including client coordination, team chartering, scope, schedule and budget development and management, safety, quality assurance/quality control, project profitability, staff workload coordination, and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction.
• Support the development and management of a team of project managers, engineers, construction professionals, and technicians.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-career staff in technical and project management knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Actively lead project pursuits to win new work from both new and existing clients by building and maintaining customer relationships, monitoring future work opportunities, communicating regularly, and attending client events.
• Identify project pursuits, market clients, and manage pursuits including leading proposal development and presentation delivery. Coordinate and develop proposed scope, schedule, and fee for projects upon selection.
• Collaborate with other GAI groups such as civil infrastructure, transportation, power/industry, Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI), and urban planning teams to market and deliver full-service project opportunities for our clients.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, with reciprocity in multiple states.
• 15+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience across the full spectrum of water utility consulting services, including planning, design, permitting, and construction.
• Deep understanding of the Florida municipal water/wastewater utilities market and the ability to effectively communicate with client leadership on technical, financial, and regulatory matters.
• Proven technical, project management, professional leadership, and business development abilities, including the ability to make decisions with broad influence on the organization.
• Ability to travel intermittently, approximately 10 to 30%, for visits to other offices, onsite client meetings, project-specific meetings, and in-person business development activities.

Preferred Experience

• Master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering.
• Established client relationships in the Florida municipal water/wastewater market.
• Experience assessing engineering economic analyses and the risks associated with solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Experience evaluating solutions to complex problems involving multiple specialty areas of engineering and resolving ethical dilemmas in complicated situations.

Leadership and Management Expectations

• Make decisions with broad influence on the activities of the organization, receiving general administrative direction.
• Demonstrate a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding projects and activities of major consequence.
• Provide leadership and develop and engage others to create a common vision for their projects and the organization.
• Perform advisory or consulting work across broad project areas or within a specialized area with innovative and complex aspects.
• Assess practices and requirements to achieve sustainable performance of complex engineering projects from a systems perspective.
• Oversee multiple large or multidiscipline project teams and develop the projects needed to accomplish the objectives of the practice.
• Evaluate project management plans for complex engineering projects and develop risk mitigation plans to address project risks.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of leaders and teams.
• Develop organizational strategy for staff development through mentored experience, continuing education, and self-development.
• Negotiate critical and controversial issues with leadership.
• Represent the organization at important functions and conferences.

Why This Role Stands Out

• A practice on the rise. Our National Water team is expanding its portfolio and range of services, and this role sits on the strategic growth team driving it.
• Full-spectrum work. Planning, design, permitting, and construction across treatment plants, pump stations, storage facilities, conveyance systems, and R&R programs.
• A team to build. Support the development of project managers, engineers, construction professionals, and technicians, and mentor junior and mid-career staff.
• Full-service firepower. Civil infrastructure, transportation, power/industry, CEI, and urban planning colleagues one call away for full-service pursuits.

Location, Travel, and Relocation

Based in our Orlando, Florida office on a hybrid work schedule. Intermittent travel is estimated at approximately 10 to 30%, and may involve visits to other offices, onsite meetings with clients, attendance at project-specific meetings, and various in-person business development activities. Must be authorized to work in the United States, without sponsorship.

Compensation

Salary range: $175,000 to $210,000 per year, as well as an annual bonus. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as education, licensure, qualifications, relevant experience, and current skills.

Benefits

Health and Wellness

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program

Time and Flexibility

Hybrid work schedule and onsite expectations; generous paid time off; seven paid holidays plus one floating holiday; paid parental and adoption leave

Financial and Growth

401(k) with company match; performance and development bonuses; relocation assistance; tuition reimbursement; licensing and certification support

Ready to Help Lead GAI’s Florida Water Division?

We review every application and respond within 24 hours.