Texas Utility Engineer (SUE) Business Development Lead

SAM; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness Benefits

Financial Benefits

Work-Life Balance

Professional Development

Perks and Discounts

Culture and Awards/Achievements

Job summary

A leading utility engineering firm is seeking a Texas Utility Engineering Lead to expand its practice across Texas. This senior role focuses on business development, securing large projects, and building sustainable relationships with industry partners like TxDOT. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of Utility Engineering experience, strong knowledge of the Texas infrastructure market, and skills in relationship-building. This high-impact position offers significant professional development opportunities and competitive wellness benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Utility Engineering / Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE).
• Demonstrated success in business development and securing long-term work.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas utility and infrastructure market.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development efforts for Utility Engineering services throughout Texas.
• Secure large, multi-year and programmatic contracts.
• Provide leadership aligned with the company’s vision and mission.

Skills

Utility Engineering / Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

Business development

Strong communication skills

Relationship-building skills

Strong knowledge of Texas utility market

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Who We Are

For over thirty years, SAM has built a reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable, and innovative partner. Our licensed professionals transform petabytes of complex spatial data into intelligent insights in a holistic Managed Geospatial Services™ (MGS™) framework. As North America's premiere MGS™ company, SAM provides practical, precise, and high-fidelity solutions designed to enhance decision-making, mitigate risks, achieve strategic objectives, and drive costs out of our client's business. Our vision is to advance spatial data acquisition, improve analysis capabilities, and develop predictive analytics to redefine and transform how infrastructure assets are developed and managed throughout their lifecycles.

Your Impact at SAM

We are seeking a Texas Utility Engineering (SUE) Lead to grow and lead our Utility Engineering practice across Texas. This senior role is responsible for expanding market presence, securing large and long-term projects, and building a sustainable backlog that supports teams statewide.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a proven Utility Engineering leader who thrives in business development, understands the Texas infrastructure and utility market, and can turn relationships into consistent, long-term work.

Business Development & Growth

• Lead business development efforts for Utility Engineering services throughout Texas
• Secure large, multi-year and programmatic contracts with public and private clients
• Build and maintain strong relationships with TxDOT, municipalities, utility owners, and industry partners
• Grow existing client accounts and identify new market opportunities
• Support proposal development, pricing strategies, and client interviews
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and networking functions

Leadership & Operations

• Provide leadership aligned with the company’s vision, mission, and core values
• Partner with regional leadership on strategic growth plans, forecasts, and budgets
• Monitor financial performance, backlog, and productivity to support sustainable growth
• Participate in operational and strategic planning meetings

Quality & Collaboration

• Work with SUE and UC leaders to improve project execution, QA/QC, safety, and compliance
• Support complex projects by developing practical, client-focused solutions
• Stay informed on market trends, competitors, and emerging technologies

What You Bring to SAM

Required

• 10+ years of experience in Utility Engineering / Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
• Demonstrated success in business development and securing long-term work
• Strong knowledge of the Texas utility and infrastructure market
• Experience working with TxDOT, municipalities, and/or utility owners
• Familiarity with ASCE 38 standards
• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to travel throughout Texas

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience growing or leading a regional Utility Engineering practice
• Established relationships within the Texas infrastructure market

Our Perks

• Health and Wellness Benefits: BlueCross BlueShield health insurance coverage begins the month after your hire date, Free Vision + Dental plans for employees, company-paid premiums for Long-term disability/Life Insurance (with HSA + FSA plans), SAM Cares program focused on holistic well-being
• Financial Benefits: Employee Referral Rewards Program of $1K, $2,500 or $5K, Fidelity retirement plans with a 5% company match, tuition reimbursement, optional cellphone stipend
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including vacation/sick/holidays, parental leave to support families
• Professional Development: Customized career development plan for licensing and certifications, Project Manager Business Academy, CAD Training Program, Individual Development Plans/Career Check-Ins, SAM WINS - our initiative for women-focused leadership and development, Milestone Anniversary Recognition, SAMbassador mentorship program
• Perks and Discounts: Access to “Perks at Work” for discounts on wellness + travel + leisure and everyday purchases, company-sponsored events, free office snacks
• Culture and Awards/Achievements: SAM Named 2023 Top Workplace USA for Second Consecutive Year; 2023 SAM Ranks No. 88 on ENR Top 500 Design Firms