Lead, Project Delivery Engineer

American Water; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Champaign, IL seeks a Lead, Project Delivery Engineer to manage multiple water and wastewater capital projects. You will oversee design, bidding and construction activities, directing consulting firms and internal teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities include coordinating with Operations, managing budgets, and ensuring regulatory compliance while driving efficiency in project delivery and procurement processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in engineering design, planning, construction, project delivery and/or project management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple water and wastewater engineering projects from inception to completion, on time, within scope and within budget.
• Monitor delivery metrics to improve efficiency in project delivery and procurement approaches.
• Delivery of assigned Capital Projects and/or programs in accordance with CIM policies and procedures.
• Ensure Asset Owner satisfaction and coordinate with operations to meet needs; coordinate operational impacts.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external agencies for land acquisition, easements, permits, certificates and other approvals.
• Ensure compliance with established regulatory criteria, specifications and standards.

Skills

Project management

Engineering design

Water/wastewater

Budget management

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Professional Engineer (PE)

Tools

CAD

Job description

Requisition ID110134-Posted07/15/2026-Engineering-IL-Champaign-Full Time - Regular

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role!

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role:

The Lead, Project Delivery Engineer is responsible for managing all project delivery activities for multiple water and wastewater utility system capital projects or programs, including selection and management of consulting engineering firms, technical reviews of design packages, developing technical bid packages, and managing construction activities. Responsibilities may also include technical partnering and supervision over consulting engineers, contractors, technicians, and/or CAD operators.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and manage multiple water and wastewater engineering projects from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Drive efficiency into project delivery through the monitoring of delivery metrics (unit costs, target costs vs. actual, etc.) and pursuit of more effective delivery and procurement approaches.
• Delivery of assigned Capital Projects and/or programs in accordance with policies and procedures set for in the Capital Investment Mgt (CIM) system to meet asset needs.
• Ensure Asset Owner satisfaction in accordance with the scope of work agreed upon for each project. Interacts with Operations personnel to ensure project delivery program meets operation’s needs. Coordinate with operations personnel on operational impacts related to project delivery program.
• Interacts with internal stakeholders and external governmental agencies to coordinate land acquisition, easements, rights of ways, permits, certificates, and other project approvals for assigned projects and programs.
• Ensures compliance with established regulatory criteria, specifications and standards.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design theory and practice.
• Familiarity with project management, construction and contract management, water and wastewater facilities, and utility operations.
• Knowledge of current trends in water quality and treatment and other aspects of the water industry.
• Familiarity with environmental regulatory requirements, and trends impacting the water industry.
• Sound business acumen and judgment.
• Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communications skills (e.g., report writing, listening, and presentation).
• Strong interpersonal skills (e.g., tact/diplomacy, persuasion, team building, cooperation, leadership, ability to motivate others).
• Financial analysis skills, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge.

Experience/Education:

• 8+ years’ experience in Engineering design, planning, construction, project delivery and/or project management.
• Water system and wastewater collection system hydraulic modeling experience is a plus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Valid Driver's License.

Travel Requirements:

Up to 20%, as required.

Primarily in the office with occasional work in the field at water/wastewater facilities to conduct site investigations and participate in on-site project kick-off/review meetings.

• Champions safety
• Customer obsessed
• Cultivates innovation
• Drives Results
• Nimble learning

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.