Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater

Westwood Professional Services; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. in Modesto, California seeks a Sr. Project Manager/Local Service Lead to drive and grow our water/wastewater engineering practice.

This leadership role focuses on strategic planning, team development, innovation, and collaboration to enhance market presence and technical excellence. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in design, management, and business development, with at least 6 years in water/wastewater engineering, and licensure as a California PE (or

Qualifications

• Partner with leadership to develop and implement a strategic plan focused on growth.
• Lead service-specific proposals and drive project approaches.
• Stay ahead of industry trends to enhance service offerings and delivery methods.
• Represent clients and the firm in meetings with governmental agencies.
• Lead business development activities and build client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities and build relationships with clients and strategic partners.
• Manage the design and delivery of projects in a profitable manner.
• Supervise engineers and technical staff assigned to projects.
• Develop project work plans and budgets; deploy resources effectively.
• Review and act on metrics: utilization, backlog, WIP, AR.
• Prepare schedules for multiple concurrent projects; track milestones.
• Implement QA/QC procedures; ensure high-quality work products.
• Participate in bid, construction observation, submittals, RFIs.
• Resolve design conflicts and field construction issues.
• Grow, mentor, and train staff.

Skills

Project leadership

Marketing strategies

Communication

MS Office

Water/wastewater consulting

Operations & BD

Travel

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

PE in California

Job description

Description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Project Manager/Local Service Lead in Modesto, California to drive and grow our water/wastewater engineering practice. This leadership role involves strategic planning, team development, innovation, and collaboration to enhance our market presence and technical excellence. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of progressive experience in design, management, and business development and at least 6 of those years in water/wastewater engineering, be licensed Professional Civil Engineers in California (or eligible within 6 months), and possess a strong project management and team leadership background. With a focus on developing business strategies and advancing service initiatives, this position offers the opportunity to shape the future of water/wastewater.

Job Type

Full-time

Requirements

• Partner with leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan focused on short- and long-term growth
• Lead service-specific proposal efforts, providing technical expertise and driving innovation in our project approaches
• Stay ahead of industry trends, leveraging this insight to enhance our service offerings and project delivery methods
• Implement and uphold high standards for our work products, from design standards to project reports, ensuring quality and consistency across the board
• Represent clients and the firm in meetings with governmental agencies
• Lead business development activities
• Build relationships internally and externally with clients and strategic partners
• Negotiate contract terms and conditions
• Manage the design and delivery of projects in a profitable manner
• Supervise the work of engineers and/or technical support personnel assigned to the project
• Develop project work plans and budget projections and effectively deploy resources
• Review, interpret, and act upon business metrics, including utilization, backlog, work in process, and accounts receivable
• Prepare, maintain, and coordinate schedules of multiple concurrent projects
• Develop and track milestones to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery
• Implement and maintain QA/QC procedures
• Participate in contract bidding, provide limited observation during construction, review submittals and RFIs
• Resolve design conflicts and field construction issues
• Grow, mentor and train staff

Required Skills

• Leader with experience in project management, team building, and technical leadership
• Ready to guide our team with strategic insight and a commitment to excellence
• Develop and implement marketing strategies, building client relationships
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging effectively at all organizational levels
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a deep understanding of the water/wastewater consulting business
• Proven track record in operations, business development, and technical project management within the water/wastewater or related sectors
• Ability to travel as needed to project sites and other Westwood offices nationwide

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in California (or capable of obtaining within 6 months)
• 10+ years or progressive experience in design, management, and business development
• 6+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve. Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do. We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make. We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving‑back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work. Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide. Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary Description

$150,000 - $250,000