Municipal Practice Leader

Pennoni; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennoni is seeking a Senior Municipal Engineer to lead our Municipal Engineering department in Newark, NJ. This full-time role requires guiding complex municipal projects, mentoring staff, and maintaining strong relationships with public-sector clients.

The ideal candidate will have 12+ years in civil engineering, NJ PE license, and proven leadership in municipal settings. This position offers a competitive salary and growth opportunities within Pennoni.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required.
• PE license in New Jersey required.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive civil/municipal project experience.
• Strong leadership and client-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage municipal projects for municipalities, counties, and authorities.
• Attend Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Council meetings as required.
• Prepare proposals, fee estimates, and budget projections.
• Mentor and develop engineering staff and foster collaboration.
• Coordinate internal teams and deliver high-quality engineering solutions.
• Support business development initiatives and growth of Municipal Engineering Services.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client management

Mentoring staff

Technical writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license in New Jersey

Job description

Location: Newark, NJ

Compensation: $140-$200k/year

Pennoni is seeking a Senior Municipal Engineer to lead our Municipal Engineering department on a full-time, direct basis in our Newark, NJ office. This leadership role is responsible for managing complex municipal projects, serving as a trusted advisor to public-sector clients, mentoring staff, and supporting the continued growth of Municipal Engineering Services.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience leading and managing municipal projects in New Jersey and has strong and existing relationships with various municipal leaders or the ability to develop relationships.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of municipal projects for municipalities, counties, and authorities, including subdivision and land development reviews, roadway rehabilitation, stormwater management (SWM), capital improvement programs, grant writing, and public meeting participation.
• Ensure projects align with strategic objectives, including profitability, revenue growth, and effective resource management.
• Serve as Municipal Engineer and/or Board Engineer, including attendance at office hours and Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Council meetings as required.
• Oversee review of site plans, subdivision applications, and land‑use applications submitted to municipal boards.
• Manage capital improvement projects from planning through construction.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans with minimal supervision.
• Monitor project financial performance and ensure deliverables are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Proactively communicate project status, risks, and potential delays to clients and senior leadership.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for municipal clients, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Prepare proposals, fee estimates, and budget projections.
• Coordinate internal teams and technical disciplines to deliver high‑quality engineering solutions.
• Apply technical expertise in roadway design, drainage, stormwater systems, hydraulics and hydrology (H&H), grading, utilities (water and wastewater), structural components, surveying, and site development.
• Incorporate health, safety, and environmental regulations into civil design activities.
• Oversee quality control processes to ensure compliance with project specifications and client expectations.
• Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering collaboration, technical growth, and high performance.
• Support business development initiatives and contribute to the growth of Municipal Engineering Services.
• Participate in company activities and promote professional development for junior staff.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in New Jersey.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in civil engineering, with significant experience in infrastructure and municipal projects.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and client management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Municipal Engineer (CME) credential preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multi‑discipline engineering projects.
• Advanced expertise in design, permitting, and regulatory compliance processes.
• Advanced skills in project scheduling, cost estimation, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Working knowledge of contract preparation and contract management practices.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills, including technical writing expertise.
• Ability to work independently while effectively managing multiple priorities in a collaborative team environment.

Why Pennoni?

At Pennoni, we are more than a multi‑disciplinary engineering firm — we are a team of forward‑thinking professionals shaping the future of infrastructure and community development. Founded six decades ago, Pennoni is an ENR Top 500 consulting engineering firm that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.

We foster a supportive and engaging workplace culture where individuality drives excellence, and employees are empowered to build rewarding careers. Join us and become part of a team that values your expertise and contributions on every project.

Pennoni is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled.