Project Manager - Underground Utilities

ELLA Contracting, Lp; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ella SA Contracting in Texas seeks an Underground Utilities Project Manager to plan, coordinate, and oversee all aspects of underground utility construction projects including water, sewer, storm drainage, and related infrastructure. You will ensure on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality and safety compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously across sites with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field.
• Experience in underground utility construction or a similar industry.
• Strong understanding of underground utility systems, materials, and construction methods.
• Proficiency with project management software: Heavy Job, Heavy Big, Foundation.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal construction regulations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; valid driver’s license and travel willingness.

Responsibilities

• Develop overall project plan for utility installation (water, sewer, storm, telecom).
• Create and manage project budgets, track costs, and approve expenditures.
• Develop master schedule and milestones (excavation, pipe install, testing, mobilization, restoration).
• Allocate crews, subcontractors, heavy equipment, and major material orders.
• Provide direction to Superintendent; resolve major field conflicts and communicate client feedback.
• Oversee permitting strategy and compliance with city/regulatory requirements.
• Ensure adherence to specifications (pipe grade, compaction, testing, inspections).
• Enforce safety policies and OSHA compliance.
• Identify risks (unknown utilities, soil conditions, weather delays) and mitigate.
• Manage subcontractor contracts, scope, and performance.
• Review and approve critical documentation and reports.
• Approve major material purchases and vendor agreements.
• Track progress, evaluate deficiencies and strategies; report to stakeholders.
• Oversee project administration and meeting schedules.

Skills

Underground utilities

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Multiple projects

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Heavy Job

Heavy Big

Foundation

Job description

Job Summary

Ella SA Contracting is seeking an Underground Utilities Project Manager responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all aspects of underground utility construction projects. This includes water, sewer, storm drainage, and other underground infrastructure. The Project Manager ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, managing changes, and meeting quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning

• Developoverall project plan for utility installation (water, sewer, storm, telecom), including sequencing, phasing, and execution strategy

Budget Management

• Creates and manages project budget, tracks costs (labor, equipment, materials), and approves expenditures

Scheduling & Time Management

• Develops master schedule and key milestones (excavation, pipe install, testing, sub mobilization, restoration, etc.)

Resource Allocation

• Allocates crews, subcontractors, heavy equipment, and major material orders

Field Operations Coordination

• Provides high-level direction to Superintendent; resolves major field conflicts (utility clashes, delays) Communicate client feedback to Superintendent for their awareness

Utility Coordination & Permitting

• Oversee permitting strategy and compliance with city/municipal requirements

Quality Assurance

• Ensures adherence to specifications (pipe grade, compaction, pressure testing, inspections)

Safety Oversight

• Enforces company safety policies and ensures compliance with OSHA standards

Risk Management

• Identifies major risks (unknown utilities, soil conditions, weather delays) and develops mitigation plans

Subcontractor Management

• Manages subcontractor contracts, scope, and performance

Documentation & As-Builts

• Reviews and approves critical documentation and reports

Material Management

• Approves major material purchases and vendor agreements

Progress Tracking & Reporting

• Reviews production, monitors installed quantities, and reports to stakeholders, evaluates deficiencies and strategies to overcome

Administrative Support

• Oversees overall project administration and reporting requirements, schedules meetings/reviews as appropriate

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (preferred)


• Proven experience in underground utility construction or a similar industry


• Strong understanding of underground utility systems, materials, and construction methods


• Proficiency in project management software (Heavy Job, Heavy Big, Foundation)


• Knowledge of local, state, and federal construction regulations


• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously


• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to job sites as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering (PE) license or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification


• Experience working with GIS mapping tools and utility locating technology


• Familiarity with green infrastructure or sustainable construction practices


• Estimating Software plans- Planswift, Heavy Bid, HCSS Plans