Manager, Engineering Planning

American Water Co.; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Alexandria, VA is seeking a Manager, Engineering Planning to supervise a functional Engineering staff and coordinate planning studies for water and wastewater systems across our small-size operating company.

This role sits in Alexandria, VA or Bel Aire, MD and involves budgeting, project oversight, guiding engineers, selecting firms, ensuring regulatory compliance, and developing capital plans; extensive travel and leadership required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience in a large organization.
• 3+ years of experience managing people or mid to large scale projects.
• PE license preferred; valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Manages multiple engineering planning studies and coordinates consultants.
• Supervises engineering professionals and support personnel; monitors performance.
• Plans and monitors budgets and schedules for studies and activities.
• Develops and refines capital investment plans and prioritizes projects.
• Recommends selection of engineering firms for projects.
• Ensures compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Develops a team and trains replacements; adheres to objectives.

Skills

Engineering planning

Leadership

Project management

Budget management

Analytical skills

Regulatory knowledge

Education

10+ years engineering experience

PE license preferred

Valid driver's license

Job description

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

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! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

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.

Job Title: Manager, Engineering Planning

Posting Start Date: 10/15/26

Job Description:

Primary Role:

The Manager, Engineering Planning is responsible for supervising a functional Engineering staff and managing and coordinating several engineering planning studies and activities related to water and wastewater utility systems in one of American Water’s small-size operating companies.

This role can sit in Alexandria, VA or Bel Aire, MD.

Key Accountabilities:

• Manages multiple assigned engineering planning studies and activities of varying scope, including coordination of consultants and has responsibility for the direct supervision of Company Engineering professionals and support personnel. Schedules and monitors performance, adherence to standards, and achieving the team’s engineering planning targets as it relates to the responsible projects and programs.
• Plans and monitors budgets and schedules for engineering planning studies and activities.
• Assists in developing and refining capital investment plans, including establishing prioritization ranking, scopes and budgets for strategic capital projects and programs.
• Supervises a team of Engineering staff, including guiding and serving as technical advisor to lower-level Engineers and other personnel requiring technical direction.
• Recommends selection of Engineering firms for consideration to perform engineering planning projects and activities.
• Ensures Engineering compliance with established Company and regulatory criteria, specifications and standards.
• Develops a team staffed with able and motivated employees and provides for or trains suitable replacements. Ensures that policies, procedures, programs, standards of performance and approved objectives are adhered to and/or achieved.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Sound knowledge of Engineering theory related to planning, design and operations concepts for water resource management facilities; Engineering and utility economics and knowledge of contract administration and construction technology related to water facilities
• Good working knowledge of regulatory developments, new technology and current trends in water quality and water treatment and other related water resource management disciplines.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations. Knowledge of Company operations and procedures.
• Knowledge of employee relations, applicable safety and environmental regulations, federal and state water quality and design regulations and technical standards.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to lead, supervise, motivate, develop and direct skilled teams in meeting Company goals and objectives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; e.g., listening, presentation, report writing, etc.
• Interpersonal skills; e.g., tact, diplomacy, persuasion, cooperation, ability to influence and motivate functional and cross-functional peers and decisions, etc.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Strong Project Management skills
• Internal consulting skills; e.g., technical, analytical, problem solving, etc.
• Computer literacy. Competent in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, flow-charting, project scheduling.
• Financial analysis skills; including budget management and basic accounting knowledge.

Experience/Education:

10+ years’ experience in the Engineering function of a large organization. Experience with Water or Wate water utility is preferred

3+ years’ experience managing people or mid to large scale projects

Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Professional Engineer (PE) preferred

Travel Requirements:

Periodic travel with overnight stays required. Around 10% of total time is anticipated away from the office.

Work Enviroment:

Primarily office with occasional local / overnight work in the field.

#LI-LLZ

Competencies:

• Manages Complexity Ensures Accountability Directs Work Develops Talent Builds Effective Teams Balances Stakeholders

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.