Drinking Water Project Manager

HDR; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced water resources professional in the United States (Nebraska/Omaha area) to lead multidisciplinary teams on drinking water and wastewater projects. You will guide facility planning, process design, and detailed engineering for upgrades and distribution improvements.

You will manage client relationships across IA and NE, drive design methods, and ensure regulatory compliance while coordinating staff engineers and CAD/BIM technicians to deliver projects on time and

Qualifications

• 7 years of related experience in municipal water planning and project management.
• PE license is required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.
• Proficiency in MS Office and MS Project; Access is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop facility planning documents, process design, detailed designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for water treatment plant upgrades and distribution system infrastructure.
• Administer construction contracts during implementation of improvements.
• Support marketing efforts and act as a client manager for multiple clients in IA and NE.
• Engage with clients on drinking water process design, equipment sizing and selection, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate staff engineers and CAD/BIM technicians to meet deadlines and budgets.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Team coordination

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PE license

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. 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.

Responsibilities

Independently lead multidisciplinary teams to develop facility planning documents, process design, detailed designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for water treatment plant upgrades, water supply improvements, and distribution system infrastructure. Lead the administration of construction contracts during the construction of improvements. Support marketing efforts, serve as a client manager for multiple clients in the Iowa and Nebraska areas, and contribute to the expansion of our drinking water portfolio. Work directly with clients on drinking water process design, establishing appropriate design methods, report preparation, equipment sizing and selection, reviewing engineering specifications, and permitting and regulatory compliance. Coordinate the work of staff engineers and CADD/BIM technicians, ensuring deadlines are met and projects stay within budget.
Provide excellent written, oral, and presentation communication to facility owners and stakeholders. Build and maintain client relationships, participate 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 of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus).
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Active participation in an employee‑owned culture is a must.

Location

United States – Nebraska – Omaha (primary). Other locations: United States – Iowa – Des Moines, Ames, Davenport, Cedar Rapids; Nebraska – Lincoln.

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.