Senior Electrical Engineer / Project Manager - Water, Wastewater & Industrial Facilities

Senior Electrical Engineer / Project Manager – Water, Wastewater & Industrial Facilities

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Senior Electrical Engineer / Project Manager – Water, Wastewater & Industrial Facilities

The Senior Electrical Engineer / Project Manager is responsible for leading the electrical engineering design and execution of municipal water/wastewater and industrial facility projects from conceptual design through construction support. This position serves as the technical lead for electrical, instrumentation, and control systems while managing project execution, mentoring engineering staff, and maintaining strong client relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive electrical engineering experience in municipal water/wastewater and/or industrial process facilities.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, or ability and commitment to obtain PE licensure within two years of employment.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA, NEMA, and applicable electrical engineering standards.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead electrical engineering design for water/wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and industrial facilities.
• Develop conceptual electrical designs and provide technical leadership throughout all phases of a project.
• Design electrical power distribution systems, medium- and low-voltage systems, switchgear, MCCs, transformers, standby power systems, VFDs, lighting, grounding, and electrical site systems.
• Lead instrumentation and control system design, including PLC, SCADA, networking, and industrial automation systems.
• Manage electrical engineering projects, including planning, scheduling, budgets, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
• Serve as the primary technical contact with clients, utilities, equipment vendors, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Supervise and mentor engineers and designers in the preparation of engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Review and check engineering deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Coordinate equipment selection, vendor quotations, shop drawing reviews, RFIs, construction support, startup, and commissioning activities.
• Support proposal preparation, conceptual studies, project scoping, fee estimates, and business development efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as the primary client contact and successfully managing engineering projects from conceptual design through construction support.
• Strong technical knowledge of electrical power systems, instrumentation, industrial control systems, and SCADA applications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams, mentor junior engineers, coordinate with clients and vendors, and deliver high-quality engineering projects on schedule and within budget.
• 10–15 years of progressive electrical engineering experience in municipal water/wastewater and/or industrial process facilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent electrical and I&C design projects, balancing schedules, budgets, technical quality, and client expectations across several project teams.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and multitasking skills, with the ability to effectively lead projects in a fast-paced consulting environment with competing deadlines and shifting priorities.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an Engineering field.
• Experience: Five years’ experience as a Project Lead in the Good and Dairy Industries working for a manufacturer or an engineering consultant.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in using engineering tools and software to:
  • Develop project schedules and track progress against milestones and deadlines.
  • Develop project budgets and track status.
  • Manage project meeting notes and follow-up lists.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and willingness to work on various projects and tasks, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm.
• Initiative: Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to drive projects forward.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Travel: Up to 20%

Compensation & Benefits:

Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.