Wastewater Project Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Wastewater Project Manager for our Madison, Wisconsin team to lead municipal and industrial wastewater projects from planning through startup. You will coordinate discipline engineers, manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk, and mentor junior staff.

A Master’s degree and a PE license are preferred, with 10+ years in wastewater design and project leadership. This role offers on-site work in Madison and opportunities across Wisconsin and the Midwest.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum 7 years related experience including at least 2 years in project management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Proficiency with MS Office and MS Project.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Commitment to employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage municipal and industrial wastewater projects from planning and design through construction and startup.
• Serve as Project Manager for wastewater treatment plant improvements, process optimization projects, industrial pretreatment systems, nutrient removal facilities, pump stations, collection systems, and water reuse projects.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with both public-sector and private-sector clients.
• Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary teams including process, civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, and instrumentation engineers.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead project meetings, workshops, and presentations with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, including client engagement, proposal preparation, project interviews, and strategic planning.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with municipal utilities, industrial manufacturers, food and beverage producers, and other wastewater clients.
• Mentor and support the development of junior engineers and project managers.
• Implement HDR quality management and QA/QC procedures.
• Coordinate staffing and workload planning to successfully deliver multiple projects concurrently.
• Track project financial performance and coordinate with operational and business leadership on project reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer license

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

What We Believe

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our WaterBusiness Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you’re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

Our Madison team is actively growing its client base and expanding its presence across Wisconsin and the Midwest, creating exciting opportunities to help shape our practice's future. You'll work with a diverse range of municipal and private-sector clients, including local governments, utilities, food and beverage manufacturers, industrial facilities, and emerging industries facing complex wastewater treatment and water quality challenges. As our team continues to build strong client relationships, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to business growth, develop lasting partnerships, and support projects both locally and nationwide. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve difficult problems with technical excellence, innovation, and commitment to client success. This isn't just a job—it's an opportunity to help grow a thriving practice while delivering impactful solutions that enable communities and industries nationwide to achieve lasting environmental and operational outcomes.

In the role of Wastewater Project Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Lead and manage municipal and industrial wastewater projects from planning and design through construction and startup
• Serve as Project Manager for wastewater treatment plant improvements, process optimization projects, industrial pretreatment systems, nutrient removal facilities, pump stations, collection systems, and water reuse projects
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with both public-sector and private-sector clients
• Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary teams including process, civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, and instrumentation engineers
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead project meetings, workshops, and presentations with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders
• Support business development activities, including client engagement, proposal preparation, project interviews, and strategic planning
• Identify and pursue opportunities with municipal utilities, industrial manufacturers, food and beverage producers, and other wastewater clients
• Mentor and support the development of junior engineers and project managers
• Implement HDR quality management and QA/QC procedures
• Coordinate staffing and workload planning to successfully deliver multiple projects concurrently
• Track project financial performance and coordinate with operational and business leadership on project reviews
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or related Engineering field
• 10+ years of experience with municipal or industrial wastewater treatment and treatment process design
• Experience with municipal or industrial wastewater treatment and treatment process design
• Experience working with food and beverage, manufacturing, life sciences, semiconductor, data center, or other industrial clients
• Existing relationships with municipal utilities and/or private-sector clients in Wisconsin or the Midwest
• PMP certification
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary wastewater projects
• Business development and client management experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 7 years related experience inclusive of a minimum 2 years experience in project management
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United States-Wisconsin-Madison

Other Locations

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt

Job Posting

Jul 29, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.