Drinking Water Project Manager

HDR; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

401(k) retirement savings plan with HR

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead Drinking Water projects in the Minnesota/Wisconsin region. You will oversee cross-functional teams, manage projects from concept to delivery, and help grow HDR’s water market through client collaboration and leadership. The role emphasizes strong technical, budgeting, and communication skills, with opportunities for professional development and industry involvement.

Qualifications

• MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering is preferred.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Professional engineering license (PE or P.Eng) required or recognized.
• Minimum seven years in design/operation of municipal drinking water systems.
• Strong client-relations and business development interest.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate work of project teams through lifecycle.
• Manage complex projects within budget and schedule.
• Develop and pursue new business opportunities in water market.
• Collaborate with clients and HDR staff across regions.
• Lead technical and design aspects of delivery of engineering services.
• Maintain QA/QC and ensure project quality.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Project management

Teamwork

Communication

Mentorship

Budgeting

Education

MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PMP Certification

Professional engineering license (PE or P.Eng)

MS Office and MS Project

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

HDR is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead Drinking Water projects in the Minnesota/Wisconsin region. The role involves working closely with clients and internal staff to build successful teams, managing projects from concept to delivery, and driving new business development.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate work of single- or multidisciplinary teams throughout the project's lifecycle (from development and initiation to close‑out).
• Responsible for all aspects of complex small to medium projects or routine large projects.
• Produce and coordinate several small to medium projects concurrently.
• Establish, maintain and strengthen client relations and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings.
• Participate in developing and advancing corporate and regional water initiatives to identify and capture market opportunities.
• Conduct work sessions for deliverable development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders.
• Coordinate staffing and workload through the entire project life cycle, and ensure completion of deliverables on schedule.
• Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within the approved budget and schedule.
• Participate in delivery of engineering services to meet client expectations, including technical and design leadership, and project management.
• Maintain quality in project delivery and implement QA/QC procedures.
• Work closely with Accounting, Operations and Business leadership for periodic project reviews.
• Collaborate with other Water Market Sectors and business groups within HDR to meet client needs and expand services with existing clients.
• Participate in internal and external professional discipline groups, project teams, and activities to continually improve standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with Business Class and Marketing staff to pursue new projects, taking a champion role in selected key pursuits.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering
• PMP Certification
• Preference given to local candidates
• Minimum of seven years in the design and/or operation of complex municipal drinking water systems
• Strong technical background in designing water supply, distribution and treatment facilities
• Strong client‑relations skills and interest in client and business development
• Proven project leadership, staffing, scheduling and budgeting, and mentorship skills
• Excellent communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Ability to function effectively in a variety of roles on integrated project teams
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Willingness to be actively engaged in professional and industry organizations, including presentations for professional associations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 7 years of related experience inclusive of a minimum 2 years in project management
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position (PE or P.Eng)
• MS Office and MS Project experience required
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Commitment to participating actively in HDR’s employee‑owned culture

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance; employee assistance program; paid time off, parental leave and holidays; 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match; employee referral bonus; and tuition reimbursement. Benefits are for full‑time regular positions; temporary and part‑time roles may be eligible for limited benefits.

Location & Employment

Primary Location: United States – Minnesota – Saint Louis Park
Other Locations: United States – Wisconsin – Madison; United States – Wisconsin – Milwaukee; United States – Minnesota – Thief River Falls.
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Water Treatment

EEO Statement

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records.

Job posted: July 15, 2026