Engineer/Project Manager - Water Services Group

CDM Smith; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 100,194 - 175,365; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Water Project Manager to lead transformative water infrastructure projects in Hartford, Connecticut. The role involves overseeing project scope, schedule, budget, and quality while mentoring teams and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Ideal candidates will have substantial project management experience, strong leadership skills, and be able to build client relationships. The company offers a competitive salary range and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 4 years of related project management experience as an engineer.
• PMP, CCM or DBIA certification required within 12 months of hire.
• Equivalent additional related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning and execution of water infrastructure projects.
• Develops statements of work and work breakdown structures.
• Provides technical direction to project staff.
• Manages project financial performance including cost control.
• Ensures compliance with project management practices and safety standards.

Skills

Project management methodologies

Project financial management

Verbal communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

Join our Hartford team as a Water Project Manager and play a key role in delivering transformative water infrastructure projects that strengthen communities and protect vital resources. In this leadership position, you combine deep technical expertise with full project management responsibility, guiding complex water, wastewater, and stormwater projects from planning and design through construction and delivery. You oversee scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction while leading multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that meet evolving regulatory and environmental requirements. This role is ideal for a collaborative engineering project manager who thrives on solving complex challenges, building trusted client relationships, mentoring technical teams, and driving successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the definition, planning, and execution of water infrastructure projects, establishing scope, schedules, budgets, and project objectives.
• Develops detailed statements of work and work breakdown structures, securing alignment and approval from internal teams and clients.
• Applies independent engineering judgment in the evaluation, selection, and application of standard engineering and construction techniques.
• Provides technical direction to engineers, designers, and project staff to ensure quality, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
• Manages project financial performance, including cost control, forecasting, profitability, and risk identification.
• Actively monitors schedule and cost risks, implements mitigation strategies, and communicates residual risk to stakeholders.
• Oversees project change management, evaluating impacts to scope, cost, and schedule and leading resolution in collaboration with clients and project teams.
• Ensures compliance with company project management practices, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Maintains responsibility for client billing and cash flow, including invoice review, approval of subcontractor and vendor invoices, and coordination to ensure timely client payment.
• Plans and manages project staffing, coordinating internal resources and external consultants or contractors as needed.
• Clearly communicates expectations, deadlines, and responsibilities to project team members, while coaching and supporting staff development.
• Builds and sustains strong client relationships by delivering technically sound, on‑time, and well‑managed projects.
• Acts as a trusted technical and project advisor to clients. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 4 years of related project management experience as an engineer.
• PMP (PMI), CCM or DBIA certification required within 12 months of hire or promotion onto the Approved Project Manager list.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. Frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Driving Requirements

An appropriate and valid driver's license is required.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience applying project management methodologies, including scope definition, budget development, project planning, controls, assurance practices, and the use of project management software.
• Strong understanding of project financial management, including basic finance and accounting concepts.
• Proven ability to understand and manage project goals, drivers, strategies, risks, and opportunities while balancing technical, schedule, and cost considerations.
• Communicates effectively through clear, well‑structured written and verbal communication.
• Ability to collaborate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including project teams, clients, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to lead discussions and convey technical and project information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple priorities, process a high volume of requests, and remain organized in fast‑paced project environments.
• Proficient in standard business software, including Microsoft Word and Excel, with strong general computer skills.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries reserve the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. During employment, individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Pay Range

USD $100,194.00 – USD $175,365.00

Visa Sponsorship Available

No – We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN visas for this position.