Senior Project Manager (Mechanical or Electrical Engineer)

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employee-Owned

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible schedules

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc seeks a Senior Project Manager in Austin, Texas, to lead high-complexity projects and serve as the primary client contact.

This role involves managing financials, ensuring quality delivery, and mentoring junior project managers. Candidates should have significant engineering experience and strong leadership skills.

We offer flexible schedules, 401(k) with matching, health insurance, and professional development support.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related project experience or 15 years of practical experience on similar projects.
• Professional Engineer Licensure preferred.
• Ability to manage projects of various sizes and complexities.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-complexity projects serving as the primary client contact.
• Negotiate fees and prepare proposal letters.
• Ensure project documentation is complete and appropriately stored.

Skills

Leadership

Project financial management

Client relationship management

Risk management

Technical knowledge in engineering

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At SSR, we're more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm—we're a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with clients and communities.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead high‑scope, high‑complexity projects or multiple programs at once—serving as the primary client contact, trusted advisor, and integrator of people, product, and profit. You will plan and execute projects, proactively manage financials, and mentor Project Managers I and II, ensuring projects are delivered to SSR's quality standards and client expectations.

• Confirm project scope and requirements with clients and stakeholders; capture assumptions and decisions.
• Coordinate the proposal phase; assist senior design staff with technical documentation and interview presentations.
• Develop financial plans by negotiating fees, preparing proposal letters, and preliminary manhour budgets.
• Ensure contracts are fully executed by the appropriate Principal and align the team to contractual obligations.
• Develop project staffing plans and preliminary manhour budgets; work with discipline leaders to finalize taskhour plans.
• Lead project kickoffs to convey scope, standards, budgets, roles, risks, and expectations; foster ownership and trust.
• Set schedules with team input; propose interim milestones and adjust as conditions change.
• Schedule and sequence work; communicate action items; monitor manpower plans across disciplines and maintain profit variance targets.
• Ensure project documentation is complete and appropriately stored; keep RFI, submittal, decision, and risk logs current.
• Implement proactive QA/QC plans; coordinate timely reviews and submittals to meet standards and contract requirements.
• Issue accurate invoices promptly; monitor AR and projected monthly revenue; address collection issues proactively.
• Attend client, owner, and architect meetings; facilitate clear communication and document outcomes.
• Anticipate and address issues affecting client or SSR expectations; serve as a trusted advisor.
• Manage scope changes; identify potential crises; develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor budgets and fee burn; understand how hours charged impact revenue and forecasts; process additional services as needed.
• Build, develop, and grow client relationships; engage in business development to expand services and share of wallet.
• Respond to contractor and client requests for information quickly and efficiently.
• Perform risk assessments and manage risks throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage Construction Administration to help ensure systems are installed consistent with design intent and quality standards.
• Supervise job closeout, ensuring documentation, filings, lessons learned, and archive are complete.
• Provide oversight, leadership, and mentoring for Project Managers I and II; represent SSR in multidiscipline discussions.
• Demonstrate thought leadership through professional organizations or industry speaking and writing engagements.

Minimum Requirements

• Technical or Bachelor's degree in one of the major technical disciplines practiced by the firm with ten years of related project experience OR fifteen years of practical experience on similar projects.
• Proven leadership as a trusted advisor to clients.
• Demonstrated, consistent ability to manage projects of various size and complexity.
• Expertise in proactively managing project financials with minimal oversight.
• Professional Engineer Licensure preferred (required by those who have an ABET accredited degree in engineering).

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success leading complex, multidiscipline design programs and mentoring Project Managers.
• Executive‑level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; concise technical writing.
• Advanced business acumen with command of pricing strategies, fee burn, earned value, forecasting, and AR.
• Experience directing proposals and interviews with Marketing and technical leaders.
• Ability to analyze tradeoffs, mitigate risk, and drive timely, well‑informed decisions across stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with scheduling, resource planning, and project/CRM platforms.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee‑Owned – Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings – 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company‑funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company‑Paid Protection – Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work‑Life Balance – Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth – Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Aff. Action Employer. EEO Disabled/Veterans.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.