Senior Project Manager — Water Infrastructure & Civil Engineering
Location: San Jose, CA (On-Site; Relocation Required)
Salary: $170,000 - $262,000 DOE
Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Direct Hire
Reports To: Director of Capital Delivery
WHY THIS ROLE
This is a rare opportunity at a stable, publicly traded water utility — the largest in California and third largest in the US — with an $80 million annual capital project portfolio. The current manager is retiring, and the Director of Capital Delivery needs a proven senior professional who can step in and lead the northern California team from day one.
If you are a Senior Project Manager at a water consulting or engineering firm managing multiple concurrent capital projects, you already know this work. The difference here is that you own the portfolio, you lead the team, and you are building lasting infrastructure for millions of Californians — without billable-hour pressure, proposal cycles, or client acquisition targets.
The total compensation package, including a 100% employer-funded defined benefit pension, is among the most competitive available in California.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Innovation Consulting LLC is recruiting on behalf of California’s largest water utility, serving 100+ communities statewide. This is a direct-hire permanent placement into the company’s capital delivery organization at its San Jose headquarters.
This role leads the northern California capital delivery team, responsible for executing approximately $80 million in annual capital projects across multiple northern operating districts. The team delivers civil engineering design, permitting, and construction management for potable water systems — including pipelines, pump stations, wells, treatment facilities, and water storage infrastructure — with select wastewater projects. This is capital program delivery at scale, operating inside a CPUC regulatory framework where project cost, schedule, and quality directly affect the company’s rate base.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Capital Program and Portfolio Leadership
• Manage approximately $80M in annual capital projects across the company’s northern California service districts, with full accountability for scope, budget, schedule, and quality from design through construction closeout.
• Lead annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning and prioritization in coordination with district operations, asset management, and the capital projects leadership team.
• Prepare and present capital project status reports, budget forecasts, and risk assessments for executive leadership and CPUC regulatory proceedings, including General Rate Case (GRC) submissions.
• Ensure all capital projects are planned, designed, permitted, bid, and constructed in compliance with CPUC requirements, company standards, and applicable codes including CEQA and other environmental review requirements.
Team Leadership and Development
• Directly manage a team of 6 engineers and project managers — setting goals, conducting performance reviews, overseeing training and development, and managing hiring and personnel decisions.
• Oversee consulting engineering partners and contracted firms engaged on capital project design and delivery.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and escalation support across active construction management and project delivery efforts.
• Build and maintain a high-performance team culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Design, Procurement, and Construction Management
• Oversee civil engineering design from 30% through IFC, including consultant scope management, QA/QC review, and design deliverable acceptance.
• Manage construction procurement: bid packages, contractor pre-qualification, IFB development, bid evaluation, and award recommendations using Design-Bid-Build (DBB) and other project delivery methods.
• Oversee construction administration, construction management, and field observation, ensuring contract compliance, RFI resolution, change order management, and project closeout.
• Serve as technical lead responsible for maintaining, updating, and improving design standards and processes across the northern capital program.
Stakeholder Coordination and Regulatory Interface
• Serve as the primary liaison between capital projects and district operations, ensuring project alignment with operational needs and district timelines.
• Coordinate with regulatory and finance teams on capital program cost recovery submissions to the CPUC in GRC proceedings.
• Manage relationships with public and private agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the State Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
• Manage relationships with outside engineering consultants, construction contractors, and permit agencies across active project portfolios.
• Participate in special projects including due diligence for acquisitions and various corporate initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering, or relevant experience with a different Bachelor’s degree.
• California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in capital project or program management on infrastructure projects (water, wastewater, power, heavy civil, or industrial).
• 3+ years of direct supervisory experience managing engineers or project managers, with responsibility for performance management, hiring, and team development.
• Track record managing capital project portfolios from design through construction closeout with full accountability for budget and schedule.
• Experience managing design consultants and construction contractors, including contract negotiation, change order management, and dispute resolution.
• Working knowledge of public or regulated infrastructure procurement — bid packages, contractor selection, Design-Bid-Build (DBB), or alternative project delivery methods.
• Familiarity with CPUC-regulated utility environments or equivalent rate-regulated infrastructure settings, including General Rate Case (GRC) capital justification processes.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater infrastructure asset types: pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants, water storage facilities, or well systems.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent scheduling software.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience delivering capital projects within a CPUC-regulated investor-owned utility (IOU) or other rate-regulated utility environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience preparing or supporting CPUC General Rate Case capital project justifications or project testimony.
• Familiarity with CEQA/NEPA environmental review processes for capital infrastructure projects.
• Experience with Maximo EAM or similar asset management systems.
• Water Distribution Grade II and Water Treatment Grade II Operator Certifications.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a non-union management position with individually negotiated compensation.
Base Salary and Bonus
• Base Salary: $170,000 – $262,000 annually, depending on experience (DOE).
• At Risk Plan (ARP) Bonus: 3% target of base salary, paid annually. Payout range of 0–200% of target based on company performance — top performers can earn up to 6% of base. Prorated for partial plan year.
Retirement — A Genuine Differentiator
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: 100% employer-funded. Guaranteed lifetime income beginning at age 55+, vesting after 5 years of service.
• 401(k) Plan with employer match.
Health and Welfare Benefits
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision — effective 1st of the month following date of hire.
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D, effective 1st of the month following date of hire.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
Time Off
• 2 weeks vacation + 2 weeks sick leave per year, accrued per pay period.
• 11 paid company holidays + 4 floating holidays (eligible after 6 months).
On-site in San Jose, CA. Relocation required if not within commutable distance.
Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. LGBTBE-certified (NGLCC) • SBE-certified (CA DGS). We recruit on behalf of our clients without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.