Senior / Project Manager Capital Improvement Programs - Water Resources

Petroplan; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Petroplan is seeking an experienced Senior/Project Manager to lead a Water Resources CIP portfolio across North Carolina. The role will manage municipal capital projects, oversee design through construction, and collaborate with government partners and a skilled team of engineers.

You will mentor junior staff, support project controls, and help grow the CIP practice within a multidisciplinary engineering firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering required.
• Active PE license or ability to obtain NC licensure required.
• Demonstrated leadership in civil/municipal project delivery and client relations.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio of municipal CIP projects including scope, schedule and budget.
• Lead design through construction administration and project closeout.
• Provide technical reviews and mentoring to junior engineers and staff.
• Coordinate with municipal clients, contractors and internal teams to ensure successful outcomes.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and high-quality deliverables.
• Support growth of CIP team and practice.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization

Relationship management

Mentoring

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer license

Tools

Civil 3D

CAD

SWMM

GIS

NASSCO standards

Job description

My Client is looking for an experienced Senior / Project Manager to join their growing Water Resources CIP team and lead the delivery of municipal capital improvement projects across North Carolina. This role can be based in Raleigh, Charlotte or Winston Salem. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong, client-focused engineering professional who enjoys managing complex projects, overseeing construction activities, and delivering practical infrastructure solutions for municipal clients. You will take ownership of an established portfolio of projects, working closely with local government partners and a talented team of engineers and design professionals.

Reporting to the Water Resources leadership team, you will play a key role in strengthening project delivery, improving quality control, mentoring junior staff, and supporting the continued growth of the firm’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) practice. With an established client base, existing on-call contracts, and opportunities to expand into new markets, this position offers the chance to make an immediate impact while developing your career within a growing, multidisciplinary engineering firm.

A culture-first organization, the firm is committed to developing its people and future leaders. Every hire is carefully considered to ensure the right individual has the opportunity, support, and resources to succeed, while contributing to the firm's continued success. An award-winning and evolving business, the firm prioritizes collaboration, professional development, and creating an environment where talented people can build long-term careers and make a lasting impact.

Project Management & Delivery

• Manage a portfolio of municipal capital improvement projects, overseeing scope, schedules, budgets, resources, and overall project performance.
• Lead projects from planning and assessment through design, bidding, construction administration, and completion.
• Manage a variety of municipal infrastructure projects, including pipeline replacement and rehabilitation, utility retrofits, asset condition assessments, infrastructure inventory studies, flood mitigation, and street and drainage improvements.
• Coordinate closely with municipal clients, contractors, internal design teams, and external stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Take ownership of active projects, including those progressing into bidding and construction, ensuring effective delivery and client satisfaction.
• Identify and resolve project delivery challenges, maintaining a strong focus on quality, constructability, efficiency, and value for clients.
• Manage project financials, monitor budgets, and ensure work is delivered to agreed commercial and technical standards.

Technical Leadership & Quality Control

• Undertake hands‑on technical reviews (50% of the role) and quality control of engineering designs, calculations, reports, and project deliverables.
• Apply practical construction experience to support constructability reviews, contractor coordination, and resolution of technical issues during construction.
• Ensure projects meet applicable regulatory requirements, engineering standards, and client expectations.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to junior engineers and design professionals.
• Work collaboratively with wider technical specialists across the company to resolve complex engineering challenges and share best practices.
• Help strengthen quality assurance processes and promote consistent, high-quality project delivery across the CIP team.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to project engineers, designers, CAD professionals, and other technical staff.
• Coordinate workloads, resources, and project priorities to ensure effective delivery across the portfolio.
• Mentor developing professionals and support their technical and career progression.
• Work with Water Resources leadership to identify future recruitment needs and help build a larger, more capable CIP team.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and client‑focused working environment.

What We're Looking For

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline.
• An active Professional Engineer (PE) license. Candidates licensed in another US state will be considered, with the ability to obtain North Carolina licensure as required.
• 7 + years' experience in civil engineering consulting, municipal infrastructure, water resources, or a related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple engineering projects, with responsibility for project budgets, schedules, quality, and client relationships.
• Experience delivering municipal capital improvement projects, involving stormwater infrastructure, pipeline replacement, utility rehabilitation, asset condition assessments, or related public infrastructure.
• Practical experience supporting projects through bidding and construction, including contractor coordination, construction administration, and resolving technical issues.
• Strong technical review and quality control skills, with the ability to identify potential design issues and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Experience working with municipal clients and an understanding of public‑sector project delivery.
• Excellent communication, organization, and relationship management skills.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take ownership of project outcomes.
• A collaborative approach and an interest in mentoring junior staff and contributing to the development of a growing team.
• Civil 3D and CAD‑based design and modelling.
• Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) and related modelling tools.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Pipeline condition assessment, rehabilitation, and replacement methodologies.
• NASSCO certification or experience applying NASSCO standards for pipeline condition assessment.