Water Design-Build Design Manager

Jacobs; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 144,600 - 273,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited paid time off

401(k) plan

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Water Design-Build Design Manager in California to lead complex water and wastewater projects. This high-impact role involves managing multi-disciplinary teams and fostering strong client relationships.

The ideal candidate has over 15 years of experience and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and Professional Engineer registration. The position offers competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on water infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience managing complex projects.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) Registration required.
• Ability to lead diverse teams in high-intensity settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary design teams to deliver solutions.
• Manage project performance through cost control.
• Support business development and the growth of the practice.

Skills

Managing complex multi-discipline water infrastructure projects

Collaborative mindset

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We’re seeking a Water Design-Build Design Manager to lead the execution of large, complex water and wastewater projects through innovative delivery models like Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and PPP in California. This is a high-impact leadership role within a rapidly expanding practice, offering the opportunity to influence major infrastructure programs and drive meaningful change in communities across the country.

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to lead transformative projects, mentor talented teams, and shape the future of water infrastructure. You’ll be part of a company that values innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, and you’ll help us deliver outcomes that matter.

Ready to make a difference? Join Jacobs and help us reinvent tomorrow. As the Water Design-Build Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of project delivery, responsible for

Responsibilities

• Leading multi-disciplinary design teams across multiple offices to deliver high-quality, integrated solutions.
• Building strong relationships with contractors, clients, and stakeholders to ensure alignment and success.
• Managing project performance through scheduling, earned value analysis, and cost control.
• Overseeing contract execution, team utilization, and project profitability.
• Representing Jacobs in client meetings, public forums, and industry presentations.
• Supporting business development efforts and contributing to the growth of our national Design-Build practice.
• Responsible for the overall quality and coordination of the work performed, client interface, utilization of staff, reputation and reflection of the Team and Jacobs, contract management, billing collection, and control of project profitability
• Establishes work plan and multi-disciplinary staffing for each phase of project and arranges for recruitment or assignment of project personnel.
• Directs and coordinates activities of Project Engineers, Engineers, and Technicians to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget.
• Develops, reviews and obtains confirmation of financial and project delivery schedule activities of design and construction as they relate to all disciplines involved.
• Assures that project team complies with the contract agreement as well as exercises cost control to implement the approved design within established budget restraints.
• Responsible for the leadership, interpretation, organization, execution and coordination of project assignments and managing projects that are larger in scope and complexity
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• 15+ years of experience managing complex multi-discipline water infrastructure projects, including Design-Build, Progressive Design Build and/or PPP projects as Design Manager for water projects.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) Registration
• Collaborative mindset and ability to lead diverse teams in high-intensity settings
• Strong communication skills and a passion for delivering impactful solutions.

Salary and benefits

The base salary range for this position is $144,600.00 to $273,300.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target new hire salaries for this position across all U.S. locations.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. Some roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on June 25, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.