Senior Project Leader - Municipal Infrastructure

CDM Smith; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith in Houston is seeking a Project Technical Leader to serve as a key technical authority on complex municipal water and wastewater projects. You will shape design strategy, elevate quality standards, and guide multidisciplinary teams through the successful delivery of critical facilities.

This role offers the opportunity to lead high-visibility projects, influence design outcomes, and grow your technical leadership career while making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 12 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on duties and workload.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for water and wastewater treatment and pumping facility projects from planning through final design.
• Evaluate existing facilities and develop innovative, practical solutions to improve performance, reliability, and sustainability.
• Lead detailed engineering design efforts, including hydraulic analysis, process piping, and equipment selection.
• Partner with BIM and design teams to optimize layouts and constructible solutions.
• Prepare technical specifications, design criteria, and contract documents for public-sector clients.
• Support modeling, water quality, and process evaluations as project needs require.
• Perform site visits and field reviews to validate design assumptions and resolve technical challenges.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers, fostering technical growth and professional development.
• Contribute to client engagement, proposals, and thought leadership through white papers and technical presentations.

Skills

CAD tools

Engineering design principles

MS Office

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering

PE license

Tools

BIM

CADD software

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

At CDM Smith, we partner with communities to deliver resilient water and wastewater solutions that protect public health and strengthen infrastructure for generations to come. As a global engineering and program management firm, we’re driven by technical excellence, collaboration, and a shared purpose to make a lasting impact.

Join our Houston team as a Project Technical Leader to serve as a key technical authority on complex municipal water and wastewater projects. In this role, you’ll shape design strategy, elevate quality standards, and guide multidisciplinary teams through the successful delivery of critical facilities.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical leadership for water and wastewater treatment and pumping facility projects from planning through final design.
• Evaluate existing facilities and develop innovative, practical solutions to improve performance, reliability, and sustainability.
• Lead detailed engineering design efforts, including hydraulic analysis, process piping, and equipment selection.
• Partner with BIM and design teams to optimize layouts and constructible solutions.
• Prepare technical specifications, design criteria, and contract documents for public-sector clients.
• Support modeling, water quality, and process evaluations as project needs require.
• Perform site visits and field reviews to validate design assumptions and resolve technical challenges.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers, fostering technical growth and professional development.
• Contribute to client engagement, proposals, and thought leadership through white papers and technical presentations. Represent CDM Smith as a trusted technical leader in client meetings, conferences, and industry forums.

This role offers the opportunity to lead high-visibility projects, influence design outcomes, and grow your technical leadership career while making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. If you’re motivated by complex challenges and collaborative problem-solving, we’d be excited to connect.

#LI-JR1 #LI-HYBRID

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced proficiency with Computer‑Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) tools, including 3D and 4D design environments and model‑based workflows.
• Strong command of engineering design principles, with the ability to apply sound technical judgment to complex infrastructure projects.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, for technical analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information to clients, stakeholders, and project teams.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, with experience applying regulatory requirements throughout the design and delivery process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 12 years of related experience.
• Equivalent directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with multiple project delivery methods such as design-build and design-bid-build.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Pay Range Min

USD $110,240.00

Pay Range Max

USD $192,899.00

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position