Capital Project Manager - Water/Wastewater Civil Engineering (Northern California)

Capital Projects Manager — Water/Wastewater Civil Engineering (Northern California)

Location: San Jose, CA (On-Site; Relocation Required)

Salary: $141,000 - $262,000 DOE

Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Direct Hire

Reports To: Director of Capital Delivery

THE OPPORTUNITY

Innovation Consulting LLC is recruiting on behalf of a leading publicly traded water and wastewater utility for a Capital Projects Manager based at its San Jose headquarters. This is a direct-hire permanent placement.

The role leads the northern California capital delivery team, executing approximately $80M in annual capital projects across multiple operating districts. The team delivers civil engineering design, permitting, and construction management for potable water systems — pipelines, pump stations, wells, treatment facilities, and water storage infrastructure — with select wastewater projects. The current manager is retiring, creating an immediate vacancy for a licensed PE with capital program delivery experience.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

•      Manage ~$80M in annual capital projects across northern California service districts with full accountability for scope, budget, schedule, and quality from design through construction closeout.

•      Lead Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning, prioritization, and execution in coordination with district operations and asset management.

•      Manage a team of 6 engineers and project managers; oversee consulting engineering partners on capital project design and delivery.

•      Oversee civil engineering design (30% through IFC), construction procurement (DBB and alternative delivery methods), and construction management including RFI resolution, change orders, and closeout.

•      Present capital project status reports, budget forecasts, and risk assessments to executive leadership and for CPUC regulatory proceedings.

•      Coordinate with regulatory and finance teams on General Rate Case (GRC) cost recovery submissions.

•      Ensure compliance with CPUC requirements, CEQA, and applicable codes across all capital projects.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•      BS in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering. Required; no substitution.

•      California Professional Engineer (PE) license — Civil Engineering. Required.

•      10 years of progressive capital project/program management experience on water, wastewater, heavy civil, or industrial infrastructure.

•      3 years of direct supervisory experience managing engineers or project managers.

•      Civil or environmental engineering experience including water/wastewater infrastructure design and construction management. Experience with wells, pump stations, pipelines, and water storage facilities strongly preferred.

•      Experience managing design consultants and construction contractors, including contract negotiation, change orders, and dispute resolution.

•      Working knowledge of regulated infrastructure procurement (Design-Bid-Build, contractor pre-qualification, IFB development).

•      Proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent scheduling software.

•      Familiarity with environmental permitting and agency coordination (DDW, RWQCB, and similar regulatory bodies).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

•      PMP certification.

•      Experience in a CPUC-regulated investor-owned utility (IOU) or rate-regulated utility environment.

•      Experience supporting CPUC General Rate Case (GRC) capital project justifications or testimony.

•      Experience with Maximo EAM or similar asset management systems.

•      Familiarity with CEQA/NEPA environmental review processes for capital infrastructure.

COMPENSATION

$141,000 - $262,000 annually (DOE). Competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO, and additional company-sponsored benefits. Non-union management position. On-site in San Jose, CA; relocation required if not in the Bay Area.

Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. 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.