Lead Project Delivery Engineer (Water Resources)

Job Description

Job Title: Lead Project Delivery Engineer (Water Resources)

Posting Start Date: 2/27/26

Job Description:

Job Information

Salary Range: $101,490 - $137,380

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

This position plans, coordinates and directs resources for the delivery of capital projects in the Northern Divisions of Illinois that delivers nearly $40 million in engineering lead water and wastewater projects annually.

This position will be associated with the delivery of several regulatory compliance projects in Northern Division and assist with the expansion of facilities associated with the upcoming acquisitions over the next 12 to 18 months. The position will also assist with due diligence for acquisitions within the Northern Division.

Key Accountabilities

• Monitoring and managing budgets and schedules for several medium to small Capital Investment Projects and programs of moderate scope and complexity.
• Driving efficiency into project delivery through the monitoring of delivery metrics (unit costs, target costs vs. actual, etc.) and pursuit of more effective delivery and procurement approaches.
• Delivery of assigned Capital Projects in accordance with policies and procedures set for in the Capital Investment Management (CIM) system to meet asset needs.
• Asset Owner satisfaction in accordance with the scope of work agreed upon for each project.
• Interacts with Operations personnel to ensure project delivery program meets operations needs and is coordinated with operations personnel on operational impacts related to project delivery program.
• Interaction with Technical Services function regarding standards and requirements.
• Ensures compliance with established regulatory criteria, specifications, and standards. Interacts with property group, technical services, and other internal groups and external governmental agencies to coordinate land acquisition, easements, rights of ways, permits, certificates, and other project approvals for assigned projects and programs.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong process, project, and program management skills.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations).
• Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key internal and external stakeholders).
• Ability to influence across the organization to drive operational work and resource planning activities. Demonstrated ability to effectively problem solve routine and non-routine issues, developing possible solutions to problems and challenges.
• Ability to execute with urgency, while also maintaining project management discipline and stakeholder engagement.
• Financial analysis skill, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge
• General knowledge of Engineering, Project Management and construction management practices related to planning, design, construction and operations for water resource management facilities, engineering and utility economics and contract administration and construction technology.
• Working knowledge of regulatory developments, new technology and current trends in water quality, water treatment, developer services and other related water resource management disciplines.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations
• Knowledge of employee relations, applicable safety and environmental regulations, federal and state water quality and design regulations and technical standards.
  
  

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 13 years’ experience in project delivery of major water resources projects.
• Consideration will be given for advanced degrees and/or relevant certification(s) in lieu of minimum years of experience.
  
  

Travel Requirements

Periodic travel with overnight stays required; up to 20%

Certifications & Licenses

• Engineer-in-training (EIT) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License Work Environment
  
  

Work Environment

Primarily office with occasional local / overnight work in the field.

Schedule: Hybrid

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates