Project Manager - Underground Utilities

Ella SA Contracting; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ella Contracting seeks an Underground Utilities Project Manager to lead planning and coordination of water, sewer, storm drainage, and other underground infrastructure projects.

The role involves developing master schedules, managing budgets, allocating crews and equipment, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience in underground utility construction or 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop overall project plan for utility installation (water, sewer, storm, telecom), including sequencing, phasing, and execution strategy.
• Create and manage project budget, track costs, and approve expenditures.
• Develop master schedule and key milestones (excavation, pipe install, testing, sub mobilization, restoration).
• Allocate crews, subcontractors, heavy equipment, and major material orders.
• Provide high-level direction to Superintendent; resolve major field conflicts and communicate client feedback to Superintendent.
• Oversee permitting strategy and compliance with city/municipal requirements.
• Ensure adherence to specifications (pipe grade, compaction, pressure testing, inspections).
• Enforce company safety policies and OSHA standards.
• Identify major risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Manage subcontractor contracts, scope, and performance.
• Review and approve critical documentation and reports.
• Approve major material purchases and vendor agreements.
• Review production, monitor installed quantities, and report to stakeholders.

Skills

Civil engineering

Construction management

Leadership

Project coordination

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Tools

Heavy Job/Heavy Bid/Foundation

GIS mapping tools

Job description

Job Summary:

Ella 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:

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


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


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


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


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


• Oversee permitting strategy and compliance with city/municipal requirements


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


• Enforces company safety policies and ensures compliance with OSHA standards


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


• Manages subcontractor contracts, scope, and performance


• Reviews and approves critical documentation and reports


• Approves major material purchases and vendor agreements


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


• 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