Project Manager (Wet Utilities)

Job Juncture; California; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Juncture seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead underground wet utility projects (water, sewer, storm drain) across Southern California. The role covers the full lifecycle from pre-construction handoff through closeout, with accountability for budget control, schedule performance, subcontractor management, and client coordination on both public and private sector work.

This hands-on leader understands how underground work is built and will drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience managing underground wet utility or heavy civil projects.
• Strong background in water, sewer, and storm drain construction.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and client relationships.
• Solid understanding of public works contracts, prevailing wage, and union labor environments in California.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of wet utility projects from award through closeout.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for owners, agencies, and inspectors.
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, and work-in-progress reporting.
• Track and process change orders, RFIs, and contract modifications.
• Oversee billing, cash flow, and revenue tracking.
• Support value engineering and cost-saving initiatives without sacrificing quality.
• Procure and manage subcontractors and suppliers.
• Review scopes, negotiate pricing, and enforce contract compliance.
• Monitor productivity and resolve performance or schedule issues.
• Coordinate manpower, equipment, and material deliveries with field leadership.
• Maintain look-ahead schedules and drive weekly production planning.
• Review plans and specs for constructability and risk.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and site walks.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Schedule management

Subcontractor management

Client coordination

CPM scheduling

Procore

Bluebeam

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Excel

HCSS

Job description

Project Manager – Wet Utilities / Underground Utilities

Location: Inland Empire Area, CA

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead underground wet utility projects involving water, sewer, and storm drain systems across Southern California.

This role owns the full project lifecycle from pre-construction handoff through closeout. You will be responsible for budget control, schedule performance, subcontractor management, and client coordination on both public and private sector infrastructure work.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands how underground work actually gets built.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the execution of wet utility projects from award through closeout.

Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans.

Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

Serve as the primary point of contact for owners, agencies, and inspectors.

Cost & Contract Management

Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, and work-in-progress reporting.

Track and process change orders, RFIs, and contract modifications.

Oversee billing, cash flow, and revenue tracking.

Support value engineering and cost-saving initiatives without sacrificing quality.

Procure and manage subcontractors and suppliers.

Review scopes, negotiate pricing, and enforce contract compliance.

Monitor productivity and resolve performance or schedule issues.

Field & Schedule Coordination

Partner closely with Superintendents and field leadership.

Coordinate manpower, equipment, and material deliveries.

Maintain look-ahead schedules and drive weekly production planning.

Support estimating, budgeting, and proposal development.

Review plans and specs for constructability and risk.

Participate in pre-bid meetings and site walks when required.

Documentation & Closeout

Maintain accurate project documentation, including schedules, logs, and correspondence.

Oversee project closeout, including as-builts, turnover packages, and final cost reports.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.

5+ years of experience managing underground wet utility or heavy civil projects.

Strong background in water, sewer, and storm drain construction.

Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and client relationships.

Solid understanding of public works contracts, prevailing wage, and union labor environments in California.

Experience with CPM scheduling, cost control, and change management.

Proficiency with project tools such as Bluebeam, Excel, HCSS, Procore, or similar systems.

Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

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

Why This Role Matters

This is not an assistant role and not a paper-pushing position. You will be accountable for real project outcomes — schedule, margin, client satisfaction, and team performance. If you know underground utilities and want ownership of full project execution, this role puts you where decisions actually happen