Program Manager - Water & Wastewater Infrastructure

GFT; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs

Pet insurance

401(k) with match

PTO

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Program Manager - Water & Wastewater Infrastructure to lead capital programs for municipal and utility clients. The role is hybrid with regular attendance in offices nationwide.

You will guide programs from planning through design and construction, oversee governance, controls, and reporting, and collaborate with design-builders, contractors, and subconsultants. A PE license and extensive CIP leadership experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or related engineering
• 15+ years of water/wastewater engineering and program or project management incl. 5 years in leadership
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex infrastructure programs
• Strong understanding of treatment facilities, pump stations, and conveyance systems
• Experience with collaborative delivery models (DB, Progressive Design-Build, CMAR)
• Proven ability to manage program controls, risk, and stakeholder coordination
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required

Responsibilities

• Lead program management services for water and wastewater capital programs ranging from $50M to $2B+
• Lead integrated teams within complex program environments with multiple disciplines and stakeholders
• Coordinate with design-builders, contractors, and subconsultants
• Serve as Owner’s Advisor/Consultant, supporting procurement, design, and construction phases
• Develop and implement Program Management Plans (PMPs) including governance, controls, and reporting frameworks
• Establish and oversee program controls (cost, schedule, risk, change management, and performance metrics)
• Advise clients on delivery strategy (DBB, CMAR, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build)
• Drive effective stakeholder engagement including utility leadership, regulators, and community representatives
• Support funding strategies including SRF/WIFIA and grant applications
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery, digital solutions (including PMIS and collaborative tools), and reporting systems

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Program governance

Client coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Eng

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

PMIS

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Program Manager - Water & Wastewater Infrastructure to join our Water Team! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance in any of our offices nationwide.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the delivery of complex water and wastewater capital programs for municipal and utility clients. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, governance, and execution, and brings a strong track record supporting medium- to large-scale Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs).

You will serve as a trusted advisor to owners, guiding programs from planning through design and construction, often within diverse delivery models such as progressive design-build.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Lead program management services for water and wastewater capital programs ranging from $50M to $2B+
• Lead integrated teams within complex program environments with multiple disciplines and stakeholders
• Coordinate with design-builders, contractors, and subconsultants
• Serve as Owner’s Advisor/Consultant, supporting procurement, design, and construction phases
• Develop and implement Program Management Plans (PMPs) including governance, controls, and reporting frameworks
• Establish and oversee program controls (cost, schedule, risk, change management, and performance metrics)
• Advise clients on delivery strategy (DBB, CMAR, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build)
• Drive effective stakeholder engagement including utility leadership, regulators, and community representatives
• Support funding strategies including SRF/WIFIA and grant applications
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery, digital solutions (including PMIS and collaborative tools), and reporting systems

Education | Experience:

What You Will Bring To Our Firm

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or related engineering field
• 15+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and program or project management including 5 years in program or project leadership
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex infrastructure programs
• Strong understanding of treatment facilities, pump stations, and conveyance systems
• Experience with collaborative delivery models (Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, CMAR)
• Proven ability to manage program controls, risk, and stakeholder coordination
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required

What We Prefer You Bring

• Master's Degree in Civil, Environmental, or related engineering field
• Associate DBIA or DBIA certification preferred
• Professional certification (PgMP, PMP, APM‑PMQ, or equivalent) preferred but not essential.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $180,000 - $280,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location:

Nationwide

Core Business Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status:

Full-Time

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.