Senior Project Manager / Lead Civil Engineer

Tribute Companies; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cigna Medical Insurance

Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability

401k Retirement Planning

11 Paid Holidays

Vacation & Sick Time

Welcome Child Stipend

$50,000 Group-Term Life Insurance

Job summary

A leading apartment development firm in Wilmington, NC is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Lead Civil Engineer to manage complex site designs and oversee engineering workflows in multifamily development projects. This role requires a seasoned professional with a current PE license and a minimum of 10 years of civil engineering experience. The candidate will work closely with municipalities and must excel in public presentations while ensuring projects stay on schedule and under budget. Benefits include competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in civil engineering focused on site design.
• Proven track record managing engineers and multi-disciplinary consultant teams.
• Exceptional public speaking skills to communicate engineering concepts effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee site design and engineering workflow for multifamily developments.
• Act as the primary liaison with municipalities for permits and entitlements.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables to meet fast-paced demands.

Skills

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Hydrology/Hydraulic modeling software

Project management software (Procore, MS Project)

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Senior Project Manager / Lead Civil Engineer

Wilmington, NC

Job Id: 1354

# of Openings: 1

Senior Project Manager / Lead Civil Engineer (Multifamily Development)

Company Overview

Tribute Companies is a leading apartment development firm dedicated to creating high-quality, sustainable residential communities. We handle the entire lifecycle of development, from land acquisition and entitlement to construction and stabilization. We are seeking a seasoned, licensed Civil Engineer to join our internal team to oversee site design, streamline permitting, and bridge the gap between engineering theory and field execution.

The Role

As the Senior Project Manager / Lead Civil Engineer, you will be the technical backbone of our development projects. This is not a "desk-only" role; you will be responsible for managing complex site designs, troubleshooting issues in the field, and aggressively managing workflows to ensure projects stay on schedule and under budget. You will lead a team of consultants while serving as the primary face of the company during public hearings and government negotiations.

Key Responsibilities

• Site Design & Technical Oversight: Provide expert-level review of site plans, grading, drainage, and utility designs to ensure maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness for multifamily developments.
• Project Management & Workflow: Own the engineering lifecycle. Manage internal and external engineering resources, set clear milestones, and ensure deliverables meet the fast-paced demands of apartment development.
• Permit Expediting & Government Relations: Act as the primary liaison with local municipalities, planning departments, and utility providers. Navigate the entitlement process to expedite permit timelines and resolve jurisdictional bottlenecks.
• Field Troubleshooting: Visit project sites to solve real-world engineering challenges. Work closely with GCs and site-work contractors to address unforeseen soil conditions, utility conflicts, or grading issues in real-time.
• Pre-Development Pricing: Assist the acquisitions team by providing high-level site-work cost estimates and identifying potential "deal-killer" engineering risks during the due diligence phase.
• Public Representation: Prepare and deliver professional technical presentations for public hearings, planning commissions, and community meetings to secure project approvals.

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Current Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in civil engineering, with a heavy focus on site design and project management. Specific experience in multifamily or large-scale residential development is highly preferred.
• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of site-work components including earthwork, stormwater management, sanitary sewer systems, and water distribution.
• Leadership: Proven track record of managing other engineers and multi-disciplinary consultant teams.
• Communication: Exceptional public speaking skills and the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into "plain English" for government officials and the public.
• Business Acumen: Ability to view engineering through the lens of a developer—prioritizing ROI, speed to market, and construction feasibility.

Skills & Software

• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling software.
• Strong competency in project management software (Procore, MS Project, or similar).
• Expertise in local and state building codes and environmental regulations.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• The opportunity to work on high-profile projects that shape the local skyline.
• A collaborative, fast-paced environment where your technical expertise directly impacts the company’s bottom line.
• Cigna Medical Insurance for less than $40/month for individual coverage.
• Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability
• 401k Retirement Planning: 3% full match + 50% match on 4%-5%.
• 11 Paid Holidays (including a Floating Holiday of your choice), Vacation & Sick Time.
• Welcome Child Stipend
• $50,000 Group-Term Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability.
• Additional Insurance Options available.

Join Us

Tribute Companies is an equal opportunity employer. Tribute Companies does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

*Eligibility rules and restrictions vary by benefit and/or Tribute perks. For additional details on individual plans, perks, benefits, or policies, please reach out to HR at [e-mail].