Senior Project Technical Leader - Water Infrastructure
CDM Smith
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Job summary
CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Project Technical Leader to provide technical leadership on major water, wastewater, conveyance, and municipal infrastructure projects. This role suits engineers who mentor professionals, solve complex challenges, and partner with clients to deliver innovative, practical solutions improving communities.
You will apply expertise across diverse projects, drive innovation, and mentor teams while advancing technical excellence and client satisfaction.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
- Professional Engineering (PE) license.
- 12 years of related experience in water/wastewater infrastructure.
- Domestic and/or international travel may be required.
Responsibilities
- Lead multidisciplinary teams in planning, design, and delivery of water infrastructure projects.
- Provide senior-level technical oversight for designs, reports, plans, specifications and design documentation.
- Mentor engineers and develop the next generation of technical leaders.
- Collaborate with clients to understand current and future infrastructure needs and develop practical solutions.
- Drive technical excellence, ensure compliance with regulations, and sign/seal documents where appropriate.
- Support project pursuits and contribute to client relationship development.
Education
Job description
Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)
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.
CDM Smith is seeking an accomplished Senior Project Technical Leader to provide technical leadership on some of the region's most significant water, wastewater, conveyance, and municipal infrastructure projects. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, mentoring emerging professionals, and partnering with clients to deliver innovative, practical solutions that improve communities.
Whether your background is in water treatment, wastewater treatment, water reuse, conveyance, pump stations, pipelines, water resources, or municipal infrastructure, you'll have the opportunity to apply your expertise across a diverse portfolio of projects that help communities improve reliability, resilience, and sustainability.
This role is designed for engineers who are passionate about technical excellence and want to continue doing meaningful engineering work while expanding their impact across projects, clients, and people.
At CDM Smith, technical excellence is at the center of everything we do. Our Project Technical Leaders are trusted advisors, recognized subject matter experts, and influential mentors who help strengthen both our projects and our profession.
- Lead the technical direction of complex water infrastructure programs.
- Apply your expertise to critical challenges facing utilities and communities.
- Collaborate with nationally recognized technical specialists across multiple Water Communities of Practice.
- Drive innovation and technical quality throughout project delivery.
- Mentor and develop the next generation of engineers and technical leaders.
- Contribute to industry advancement through thought leadership, publications, and professional involvement.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams in the planning, design, and delivery of water infrastructure projects.
- Guide engineering designs ranging from moderate to high complexity for treatment facilities, conveyance systems, pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities, and related municipal infrastructure.
- Provide senior-level technical oversight for engineering calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and design documentation.
- Drive technical excellence and quality across all phases of project delivery.
- Review and approve designs for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Sign and seal engineering documents, as appropriate.
- Ensure firm policies, quality standards, and best practices are consistently followed.
- Perform site reviews, evaluations, and technical studies to support project success.
- Conduct water quality analyses, modeling, and technical investigations as required.
- Develop innovative solutions to address challenging technical and operational issues.
- Advance engineering excellence through technical innovation and knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to CDM Smith's technical knowledge management program through development of white papers, technical guidance documents, and best practices.
- Publish technical papers and present at conferences, workshops, and industry events.
- Participate in professional organizations and technical committees.
- Collaborate with technical experts, digital specialists, and innovation teams to implement emerging technologies and advanced analytical tools.
- Help strengthen the firm's reputation as a trusted leader in the water industry.
- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to municipal, industrial, and public-sector clients.
- Meet with clients to understand current and future infrastructure needs and develop practical, forward-thinking solutions.
- Support project pursuits, interviews, and proposal development efforts.
- Collaborate with client service leaders and project managers to identify and pursue strategic opportunities.
- Help position CDM Smith for success by communicating technical differentiators and innovative approaches.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
- Mentor engineers, designers, and technical specialists throughout their careers.
- Provide technical guidance, project support, and professional development coaching.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and technical excellence.
- Support recruiting efforts by helping attract and retain top engineering talent.
- Develop future technical leaders by sharing knowledge and creating meaningful growth opportunities.
- May oversee and direct the work of junior engineering staff on assigned projects.
The most successful engineers don't simply deliver projects. They become trusted advisors, respected technical leaders, and mentors who help elevate the profession.
At CDM Smith, you'll have the opportunity to apply your expertise to meaningful infrastructure projects, collaborate with some of the industry's most accomplished professionals, and help develop the next generation of engineering talent.
If you're looking for a role where technical excellence is valued, expertise is recognized, and your influence extends beyond the design table, we'd love to connect with you.
- Recognized technical expertise within the water industry.
- Experience leading large, complex infrastructure programs.
- Active involvement in professional organizations such as AWWA, WEF, APWA, ASCE, or ACEC.
- A passion for solving complex technical challenges.
- A desire to remain engaged in engineering while expanding influence through leadership, innovation, and mentorship.
- The ability to build trust with clients, colleagues, and project teams alike.
- 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 specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
- Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
10% or less
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.
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.
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.
USD $115,211.00
USD $201,635.00
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.
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position
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