Drinking Water Project Manager

HDR; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Drinking Water Project Manager to lead multidisciplinary teams in evaluating and upgrading water treatment facilities, processes, and distribution systems. You will prepare design documents, cost estimates, and manage contracts with clients primarily in Iowa and Nebraska, while expanding HDR’s drinking water portfolio in the region.

You will collaborate with owners, engineers, and marketing staff, ensuring design excellence, regulatory compliance, and on-budget delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 7 years related experience in water or infrastructure projects.
• PE license required or actively pursuing licensure.
• 2+ years of project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead multidisciplinary teams to develop facility planning documents, process design, detailed designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for water treatment upgrades.
• Administer construction contracts and support marketing efforts, client management in IA/NE regions.
• Coordinate work of staff engineers and CADD/BIM technicians to meet deadlines and stay within budget.
• Establish client relations and participate in client development, contracting, design and production.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Project management

Communication

Team coordination

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Access

Job description

At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it’s a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

In the role of Drinking Water Project Manager we'll count on you to:

Independently lead multidisciplinary teams to develop facility planning documents, process design, detailed designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for water treatment plant upgrades including lime softening, membrane treatment, disinfection, chemical feed systems; water supply improvements including water production wells and well field development; as well as distribution system infrastructure. The candidate will lead the administration of construction contracts during the construction of the improvements. The candidate will also support marketing efforts, is expected to be a client manager for multiple clients, who are primarily centered in the Iowa and Nebraska areas, and be an integral component in the expansion of our drinking water portfolio in the area.

Other specific responsibilities include working directly with clients, drinking water process design, establishing appropriate design methods, report preparation and coordination, equipment sizing and selection, reviewing engineering specifications, and permitting and regulatory compliance. The project manager will be responsible for independently coordinating the work of staff engineers and CADD/BIM technicians throughout the development of projects while ensuring deadlines are met and within budget.

The selected candidate will have excellent writing, presentation, and speaking skills, as they will work directly with the facility owners. The ability to establish client relations is important because they will be involved in client development, marketing, contracting, design, and production.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years of related experience, including municipal water planning, design, and project management.
• Strong technical background in process design for water treatment facilities.
• Demonstrated business development and strategic planning skills.
• Self‑motivated with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively with project teams.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Experience handling multiple assignments.
• Experience leading teams and coordinating project details.
• Preference given to local candidates.
• Active in area municipal drinking water industry associations is a strong plus.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 7 years related experience.
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus).
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Location and Logistics

Primary location: United States‑Nebraska‑Omaha Other locations: United States‑Iowa‑Des Moines, United States‑Iowa‑Ames, United States‑Iowa‑Davenport, United States‑Iowa‑Cedar Rapids, United States‑Nebraska‑Lincoln Industry: Water Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular Business Class: Water Treatment

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.