Principal, Project Delivery Engineer

American Water; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Champaign, IL is seeking a Principal, Project Delivery Engineer to lead delivery of large capital investment projects from inception to completion. You will manage cross-functional teams and coordinate with Operations, Finance, and external agencies to ensure on-time, on-budget project outcomes.

The role requires 12+ years in water resources engineering, a PE license, and a BS in engineering, with preference for Environmental or Civil disciplines.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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 and pursuit of more effective delivery and procurement approaches.
• Delivery of assigned Capital Projects in accordance with CIM procedures to meet asset needs.
• Ensure Asset Owner satisfaction and 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, permits, and other project approvals for the assigned projects.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Project management

Construction management

Regulatory knowledge

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Leadership presence

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

PE license

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Requisition ID110135-Posted07/15/2026-Engineering-IL-Champaign-Full Time - Regular

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.

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, EmployeeStock 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:

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

Travel Requirements:

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

This is an advanced individual contributor role.

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

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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.