MANAGING ENGINEER - WATER MANAGEMENT 2026

American Water Works Association; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago's Department of Water Management seeks a Managing Engineer–Water Management to lead sewer system planning and the Bureau's capital improvements program. The role supervises engineers, reviews design documents, and coordinates projects with agencies to protect public infrastructure.

The ideal candidate holds a PE license in Illinois, has a civil/mechanical/related engineering degree, and brings 4+ years of supervisory experience in complex engineering projects and stormwater/green

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Mechanical/Structural Engineering or related field.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (R.P.E.) in Illinois is required.
• Four (4) years of supervisory experience in planning, design and construction management of engineering projects.
• A valid State of Illinois driver’s license required at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Department of Water Management's sewer system planning and record management.
• Direct engineers in the design, planning and preparation of specifications and construction documents for sewer projects.
• Direct record management and filing for sewer infrastructure and related projects.
• Provide design review and approve project scope, design criteria, and cost estimates.
• Coordinate prioritization of capital improvement projects based on funding and infrastructure needs.
• Provide technical input on green infrastructure to improve stormwater management.
• Represent the department with state and local agencies on best practices for stormwater management.

Skills

Staff leadership

Project planning

Sewer design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Mechanical/Structural Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license (Illinois)

Tools

GIS software

Engineering design software

Job description

Description

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

MANAGING ENGINEER-WATER MANAGEMENT

Chicago Department of Water Management

Bureau of Engineering Services

Number of Positions: 1 (one)

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $124,956.00 (GY-13)

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 11/08/2026

Under direction, functions as a senior level manager, reporting to the Chief Engineer of Sewers. Manages the Bureau's capital improvement plan, directing the planning, and record management of municipal sewer projects, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Functions as the Department of Water Management's lead planner for sewer system, coordinating the work of engineers and other professional staff performing planning, and record management functions.
• Directs staff of engineers engaged in the design, planning and preparation of specifications and other construction documents for sewer main new construction or restoration work projects.
• Directs record management, maintaining existing records, filing and maintains new records pertaining to sewer infrastructure and related projects.
• Provides design review of projects and approves project documents including project scope and design criteria, engineering specifications, cost estimates, and construction time-lines.
• Confers with management in selecting, scheduling and prioritizing capital improvement projects based on funding resources, critical infrastructure needs, existing conditions of mains and related factors.
• Provides technical expertise and makes recommendations to incorporate and implement green infrastructure improvements to better manage stormwater.
• Evaluates requests for street vacations and proposed subdivision developments to determine and assess impact on the sewer system including expansion of system.
• Directs planning activities with hydrologic and hydraulic engineering staff and identifies sewer projects that can resolve or ease flooding issues in various areas of the City.
• Represents the Department of Water Management with state and local agencies on developing best practices for green initiatives and storm water management.
• Directs the work of engineering staff conducting field studies to determine overall hydraulic performance of the water distribution system and ensure proper system operations.
• Maintains and uses the department's sewer distribution system hydraulic model to provide analysis of system operation needs, recommend proper sizing of sewer mains.
• Uses GIS software to manage utility coordination, ensuring efficient coordination between agencies working in the public way to avoid scheduling conflicts and minimize digging and restoration of the public way.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location:

JWPP, 1000 E Ohio St

Days:

M-F

Hours:

8am-4pm

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering or a directly related degree, plus four (4) years of supervisory experience in the planning, design and construction management of engineering projects.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

Registration as a Professional Engineer (R.P.E.) is required. At the time of employment, positions must have obtained Registration as a Professional Engineer (R.P.E.) in the State of Illinois.

A valid State of Illinois driver's license required at the time of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to inspect construction sites

NOTE: Candidates selected for hire MUST pass a DRUG/PHYSICAL TEST, prior to being hired.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS :

This position requires the successful completion of an online application and an initial screening process. Applicants who meet the established screening criteria may be invited to participate in one or more assessments designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, or competencies relevant to the role. Depending on the position, this may include a pass/fail assessment, additional evaluative components, and/or an interview. Candidates who successfully complete all required assessment components may be invited to take part in a structured interview using a standardized set of questions, when applicable. In addition to the interview, applicants may also be evaluated through job ‑ related exercises such as work samples, skill demonstrations, presentations, or other performance ‑ based activities aligned with the requirements of the position. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview and assessment, will be selected.

APPLICATION EVALUATION:

Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 11/08/2026

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf