Vice President, Civil Engineering Transportation Project Manager

WSP in the U.S.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 191,340 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid sick leave and vacation

Retirement savings plan

Paid parental leave

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a motivated Vice President, Civil Engineering Transportation Project Manager to lead complex transportation projects in Northern California. This role involves managing scope, schedule, and budget while fostering strong client relationships and supporting business development activities. Candidates must have a PE license, extensive experience in civil engineering, and strong project management skills. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant post-education experience in civil engineering and highway design.
• Minimum of 10 years delivering Caltrans related projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage transportation projects from initiation through closeout.
• Ensure successful delivery in alignment with WSP’s core values and quality standards.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client relationship management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline

Master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field

Tools

MS Office suite

Project Management tools

Job description

Job Description

Vice President, Civil Engineering Transportation Project Manager (PID, PA&ED and PS&E Delivery) – WSP is seeking a motivated and experienced leader to support our growing California Regional Transportation team, focusing on Caltrans and local agency roadway and civil engineering projects across Northern California. This full‑time position may be based in our San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento offices. The role provides the opportunity to work closely with multidisciplinary civil engineering teams while delivering complex transportation projects that meet our clients’ objectives and help solve regional mobility challenges.

Job Overview

The Project Manager will lead and manage transportation projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring successful delivery in alignment with WSP’s core values, quality standards, and contractual commitments. The position provides technical project supervision and oversees all administrative, commercial, and technical aspects of complex, multidisciplinary projects. Responsibilities include managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and safety while maintaining strong communication with clients, subconsultants, and internal teams.

The Project Manager will support the growth of WSP’s Northern California transportation practice by building and maintaining strong client relationships with local agencies and Caltrans, identifying new opportunities, contributing to pursuit strategies, and collaborating with market and business leadership to advance client growth.

Your Impact

People & Performance Leadership

• Provide project leadership, partnering closely with the Local Business Leader and Senior Management Team.
• Contribute to the overall growth and success of the California Region by supporting key performance indicators related to safety, quality, financial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Foster a collaborative and high‑performing team environment that supports staff development, mentoring, and succession planning.

Business Development

• Support our clients and the industry through innovative thought and advancement of transformative transportation projects.
• Collaborate across Northern and Southern California offices and with National Business Line experts to provide clients with innovative, future‑focused solutions.
• Support transportation business development efforts including market strategy development, client engagement, and pursuit planning.
• Cultivate client relationships to identify new opportunities and support procurement of contracts with transportation clients, including Caltrans and local agencies.
• Develop strategic teaming alliances and partnerships to position WSP for new opportunities.
• Represent WSP in the transportation market through active participation in client and industry events and professional associations.
• Lead or support pursuits, including capture planning, proposal development, and interview execution.

Project/Program Management

• Lead the delivery of transportation projects for Caltrans and other local agencies in Northern California as an active member of the transportation team.
• Manage the delivery of PID, PA&ED and PS&E projects across the full project lifecycle. Serve as Contract Manager, Project Manager, Senior Lead, or other key leadership roles as appropriate based on project needs.
• Plan and execute projects, including defining scope of work, developing schedules, and preparing fees.
• Participate in contract negotiations and support contract administration activities.
• Provide overall project management oversight to ensure strong financial performance and adherence to project management, quality control, and risk management requirements, delivering projects on time, within budget, and to client satisfaction.
• Guide and support staff in project management best practices, ensuring consistency with WSP standards and client expectations.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant post‑education experience in civil engineering and highway design.
• Minimum of 10 years delivering Caltrans related projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management.
• Advanced proficiency with Caltrans Design Development process, highway design, and construction practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow highway design and transportation practice.
• Strong management and leadership skills with experience leading mid‑level to senior‑level staff and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Proven ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, to client satisfaction with adherence to quality and risk management requirements.
• Strong and established client relationships and industry contacts in Northern California.
• Advanced proficiency with analytical, organizational, and business acumen to bridge business and project management.
• Advanced proficiency with critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to apply project management principles.
• Advanced proficiency with interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively at all levels.
• Excellent self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Advanced proficiency with technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite, spreadsheets, and PM tools.
• Strong experience managing review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific project deliverables, processes, and plans in a multi‑project environment.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, subcontractors, consultants, and company staff.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and adherence to WSP’s health, safety, and anti‑harassment policies.
• Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to accommodate project‑specific schedules and hours.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation; paid parental leave; and paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $191,340 – $250,000. WSP reserves the right to offer a compensation package that may include additional benefits and other forms of remuneration based on qualifications, experience, and location.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, WSP USA designs lasting solutions in buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits suite focused on health and financial stability.

WSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice to Third‑Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services unless a signed Service Agreement has been established. Unsolicited resumes will become the property of WSP and may be hired without any fee to the recruiting entity.