Senior Project Engineer - Land Development

Job Description

Job Description

Description

CPH is a multi-disciplined Engineering and Architectural design firm that ranks in the nation’s Top 500 Design Firms by ENR Magazine.

We have an incredible opportunity for a licensed Senior Project Engineer – Land Development to join us in our San Juan, Puerto Rico office to lead a major area of business within our land development segment.

The position requires the following key requirements for optimal efficiency: 

• Senior Licensed Professional Engineer in Puerto Rico
• Technical Land Development Expertise (Knowledge & Experience)
• 10+ years of experience with extensive permitting background 
• Skilled at working with Puerto Rico Federal Lands Access Program 
• Experience with the business portals, permitting,
• Comprehensive Application Process Experience  
• Permit Experience (Zoning, Building, Environmental, & Special Use)

CPH’s Senior Project Engineer - Land Development is responsible for exercising the highest-level technical permitting expertise to deliver best-in-class final project execution for Puerto Rico’s highway authority. This role will require a substantial ability to utilize both a strong technical land development knowledge and expertise while also applying hands-on experience with full-lifecycle permitting to push the projects forward to final execution and delivery meeting all quality standards. 

This position will require a Senior PE who can confidently and effectively ensure the successful delivery of pre-application consultation, prep documentation, application submission, review/compliance/hearings, permit issuance, and inspections.

-- Position Scope --

The scope of this position is inclusive of heavy project management as well as hands-on team management and mentorship to ensure all deliverables are being handled in alignment with technical and regulatory requirements. This Senior Project Engineer must exercise a natural gift for making anticipatory decisions to ensure optimal alignment with minimizing problem areas and mitigating risk to ensure final execution of all projects are delivered in alignment with expectations for time, budget, and quality. 

This individual must have a track record of success with various permitting relationships working with various agencies and highway authority projects. This individual must be highly skilled at fostering and maintaining strong relationships with various individuals, vendors, and stakeholders to deliver final execution of all projects for our team from start to finish.

The ideal candidate will also bring experience and familiarity with Municipal Planning Departments working with local governments issue zoning and building permits, often coordinating with OGPe for state-level approvals.

-- Key Responsibilities --

Permitting Coordination: Prepare and submit all required permits, approvals, and documentation for land development projects that involve highways, bridges, or public works infrastructure.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure projects meet zoning, subdivision, land development, and transportation regulations in Puerto Rico Indeed.

Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with PRHTA, municipal governments, environmental agencies, and other regulatory bodies to secure necessary clearances.

Project Lifecycle Support: Assist in the conceptual, design, and development phases of projects, ensuring designs for roads, utilities, drainage, and public works structures comply with client specifications and regulatory requirements.

Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of permits, approvals, and compliance filings; prepare and present status reports to senior management.

Vendor & Contractor Oversight: Coordinate with contractors and vendors to ensure compliance with permitting conditions and project timelines.

Mentorship & Team Support: Guide junior staff or consultants in navigating permitting processes and regulatory requirements.

Sr Project Engineer - General Position Overview:

The Senior Project Engineer provides technical leadership and strategic direction for complex civil infrastructure and land development projects. This role is responsible for the full project lifecycle exercising a strong permitting expertise and technical discipline in land development.

The role ensures that all designs for roads, bridges, utilities, drainage systems, and public works structures meet client specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Serving as both an expert hands-on contributor and a dedicated mentor, this position plays a key role in advancing technical excellence and strengthening the firm’s reputation for delivering high-quality engineering solutions.
What You'll Be Doing:

• Leads and manages the design team during the conceptual and development phases of projects.
• Develops detailed action plans and resource estimates for labor, materials, and timelines required to successfully complete projects.
• Evaluates and selects vendors based on technical competence, capabilities, resources, and financial stability.
• Monitors project progress, comparing actual performance and costs against established estimates, and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Partners with the design team to revise and refine project plans in response to challenges or changing requirements.
• Prepares and presents regular project status reports, including progress, risks, and financial updates, to senior leadership.
• Coordinate with project engineers across other locations to exchange knowledge, solutions, and best practices.
• Provide strategic direction to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages technical growth and efficiency.
• Serve as a mentor to junior and mid-level engineers, sharing knowledge, reviewing work, and providing the guidance necessary to achieve optimal performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need:

Required Experience & Skills:

• Experience in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with project management platforms such as Deltek VantagePoint and Smartsheet.
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Strong analytical skills for reviewing costs, preparing budget reports, and evaluating project performance.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Effective multi-tasking and project management skills, ensuring adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Critical thinking and sound independent judgment in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Maintains high standards of accuracy and quality, shows dependability and self-motivation, and adapts effectively to evolving project demands.
• Valid stated-issued driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

Education and Experience: 

• B.S. in Civil/Environmental Engineering from an ABET accredited institution. 
• 5+ years of engineering experience in civil engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred; or ability and commitment to obtain licensure within one (1) year of hire.

Work Environment:

The work environment features below are representative of those an employee meets while performing the essential functions of the role. 

This position is in a professional office environment. The person in this role will routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, copiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to effectively perform the essential functions of the role. 

The person in this position may require sitting or standing for long periods of time and lifting up to 25 pounds.

CPH is an equal opportunity employer. 

Compensation & Benefits:

• Dependent upon experience.
• CPH offers Medical, Dental and Vision and Long-Term Disability with a quality insurance company.
• Company Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
• 401K, Paid Personal Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Paid Paternal Leave.

CPH is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Drug Free Work Environment Employer.