Principal, Project Delivery Engineer

American Water; Belleville (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water seeks a Principal, Project Delivery Engineer to lead delivery of large capital projects from inception to completion, often managing a team to achieve objectives in production, networks and water resources.

The role requires a PE license, 12+ years in water resources engineering, and strong budgeting, scheduling and stakeholder management. Travel is periodic, and the company offers a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required (Environmental or Civil preferred)
• 12+ years’ experience in water resources engineering
• Professional Engineering (PE) license required
• Valid Driver’s License

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage budgets and schedules for multiple large capital projects and programs
• Drive delivery efficiency through delivery metrics and procurement optimization
• Deliver capital projects per CIM system policies to meet asset needs
• Ensure Asset Owner satisfaction and coordinate with Operations for project delivery impacts
• Ensure compliance with regulatory criteria, specifications and standards
• Coordinate land acquisition, easements, permits, and other approvals with internal and external stakeholders
• Support company-wide performance goals and Corporate Engineering initiatives by senior leadership

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Project management

Construction management

Regulatory knowledge

Water resources

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership presence

Interpersonal skills

Budget management

Financial analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Professional Engineering (PE) license

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Principal, Project Delivery Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Principal, Project Delivery Engineer

Posting Start Date: 8/24/26

Job Description:

Position Details:

The Pay Range for this position is $101,760 to 170,050 per year.

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 Principal, Project Delivery Engineer is responsible for managing (through a team as appropriate) all activities concerned with the delivery of multiple large and complex capital investment projects, the size and importance of which are of critical importance to Company objectives related to Production, Networks, and/or other water resource or operations systems from inception to completion.

Key Accountabilities:

• Monitoring and managing budgets and schedules for multiple large and complex Capital Investment Projects and programs of varying scope.
• Driving 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 in accordance with policies and procedures set for in the Capital Investment Management (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. And coordinated with operations personnel on operational impacts related to project delivery program.
• Ensures compliance with established regulatory criteria, specifications and standards.
• 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.
• Support Company-wide performance goals and targets and Corporate Engineering initiatives established by senior leadership.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills:

• General knowledge of Engineering, Project Management and construction management practices related to planning, design, construction and operations for water resource management facilities, engineering and utility economics and contract administration and construction technology.
• Working knowledge of regulatory developments, new technology and current trends in water quality, water treatment, developer services and other related water resource management disciplines.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations
• Knowledge of employee relations, applicable safety and environmental regulations, federal and state water quality and design regulations and technical standards
• Strong process, project, and program management skills.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations).
• Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key internal and external stakeholders).
• Ability to influence the organization to drive operational work and resource planning activities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively solve routine and non-routine issues, developing possible solutions to problems and challenges.
• Ability to execute with urgency, while also maintaining project management discipline and stakeholder engagement.
• Financial analysis skills, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge.
  
  

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required (Environmental or Civil preferred); advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years’ experience in water resources engineering.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license required.
• Valid Driver’s License
  
  

Travel Requirements:

Periodic travel with overnight stays required; generally, less than 10% of total time is anticipated away from office.

Competencies:

Plans & Aligns

Decision Making

Communicates Effectively

Builds Networks

Action Oriented