Senior Project Manager – Drainage

RRP Consulting Engineers is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead our drainage and flood control practice in Houston.

This position has direct responsibility for stormwater and H&H projects including master drainage plans, drainage impact studies, watershed planning studies, detention basin and channel design, storm sewer and outfall systems, FEMA CLOMR/LOMR submittals, and dynamic 1D/2D modeling using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and SWMM. You will own these projects end to end — scope and fee through construction — and serve as the senior technical voice and primary client contact on them.

We are a 30-year Texas practice, not a national platform. The engineer who takes this seat will sit across the table from HCFCD, City of Houston, and MUD board clients directly, with no layer between them and the decision. If you want ownership of a book of work rather than a slice of one, this is that role.

Responsibilities

Project leadership

• Lead project delivery as Project Manager with full accountability for technical design, financial performance, scope and schedule management, project staffing, and quality control.
• Direct hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and design of storm sewer systems, open channels, detention and retention facilities, outfalls, roadside ditches, and regional flood control improvements.
• Oversee 1D and 2D watershed modeling supporting drainage master planning, flood mitigation studies, and capital improvement programs.
• Manage development of construction documents, including plans, technical specifications, engineering cost opinions, technical memoranda, and design reports.
• Manage permitting and agency coordination with HCFCD, City of Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, TxDOT, USACE, and FEMA, including CLOMR/LOMR submittals.
• Ensure compliance with the company's Quality Assurance policies and procedures, and provide QC review of technical analyses, reports, and design deliverables.
• Oversee construction phase services, coordinate with the construction inspection team, and resolve design issues arising during construction.

Business and financial ownership

• Prepare, negotiate, and manage project scopes, schedules, and fee estimates; support development of client agreements and subconsultant coordination.
• Own project contracts, budgets, cost estimates, invoicing, and collections, ensuring financial health and contract compliance.
• Lead technical content for proposals, RFQ responses, and statements of qualifications.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with clients, municipal utility district boards, public agency officials, and community leaders.
• Identify and pursue new clients and business opportunities; contribute to technical presentations and publications.
• Meet or exceed established KPIs for sales, revenue, profit, quality, and client satisfaction.

Team development

• Plan, direct, and supervise the work of engineers, EITs, designers, and technicians.
• Coach and mentor junior staff, building long-term drainage capability within the Houston office.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across RRP office locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering; Master's degree in water resources or a related discipline preferred.
• 10 years of drainage, stormwater, and water resources engineering experience — or 8 years with demonstrated ownership of projects as Project Manager.
• Professional Civil Engineer license in the State of Texas
• Demonstrated experience in the Houston area and working knowledge of local criteria, including HCFCD policy and criteria, the City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual, and Harris County and Fort Bend County requirements.
• Strong technical command of H&H analysis, floodplain analysis, and stormwater design.
• Experience developing construction documents, engineering cost opinions, technical memoranda, and design reports.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and mentoring engineering staff.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and client presentations.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing project assignments and deadlines, working both independently and within a team.
• Valid Texas driver's license and an insurable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential.
• 2D modeling experience (HEC-RAS 2D, XP-SWMM, or InfoWorks ICM).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D; OpenRoads experience a plus.
• Established relationships with HCFCD, City of Houston, county drainage districts, or MUD boards.
• Experience delivering work under grant-funded and bond programs, such as HUD CDBG-MIT, FEMA HMGP/BRIC, or TWDB Flood Infrastructure Fund.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record for MUD or LID clients.
• TxDOT hydraulic design experience.
• Active involvement in professional associations and civic organizations.

Benefits

Our comprehensive compensation package includes full-time employment, company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and paid pregnancy disability leave; 401(k)/Roth with company match; paid time off; and employee referral and professional license bonuses.