Project Manager - Water/Wastewater

Job ID: 3034Req ID: 254Location: Irvine, CA, USAPosted: 2026-09-23Job Family: Project ManagementPay Type: SalaryFounded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering and environmental consulting services today, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using new advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects. KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, and award-winning water reuse projects. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions. Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Water/Wastewater Project Manager in California to lead water and wastewater infrastructure projects in a dynamic consulting environment. In this role, you will guide multidisciplinary teams, strengthen partnerships, and deliver practical solutions that support long-term water reliability. You’ll support a range of water and wastewater projects, including water transmission pipelines, sanitary sewer collection systems, tanks and reservoirs, pump stations, and water and wastewater treatment facilities. What You’ll Do As a Water/Wastewater Project Manager, you’ll support project and design delivery, multidisciplinary team coordination, and client engagement. Manage projects: Lead planning, design, and construction support while managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and overall delivery. Lead design delivery: Oversee the development of engineering deliverables, including plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical documents, contract documents, and project reports. Support construction-phase services: Coordinate with clients, contractors, project teams, and stakeholders to address questions, resolve issues, and maintain alignment with project requirements. Coordinate multidisciplinary teams: Work with in-house design teams across disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and architectural, as well as specialized sub-consultants. Track project performance: Monitor financials, milestones, risks, and resource needs, and adjust course as needed. Engage clients: Lead client communications, meetings, and presentations that support strong relationships and successful project outcomes. Support business development: Shape proposal strategies, coordinate with marketing staff, prepare scopes and budgets, and support interview teams. Develop staff: Mentor junior staff, collaborate with engineers and scientists, and participate in hiring and recruiting efforts. What Makes This Role Different Meaningful work: Take on visible project leadership that supports essential community infrastructure. Career growth: Continue developing technical, managerial, client-facing, and business development skills. Collaborative culture: Work with experienced professionals in an environment that values practical problem-solving, mentorship, and shared success. What You Bring Client-centered leadership : You build trust through clear communication, responsiveness, and a practical understanding of client priorities. Collaborative approach : You align people, priorities, and disciplines to keep work moving forward. Sound judgment : You make thoughtful decisions that balance scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client needs. Growth mindset : You bring energy, focus, and a desire to keep learning while helping others develop. Qualifications Education : Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a similar engineering field. Experience : 8 + years of experience in water/wastewater infrastructure projects, including 2+ years in a project management role. Technical background : Knowledge of water/wastewater planning, design, construction support, codes, regulations, and quality practices. Licensure : Professional Engineer (PE) license in California required, or ability to obtain PE registration within 6 months of hire. Travel : Ability to travel to project sites and Kennedy Jenks offices as needed. Preferred qualifications : Experience with site civil design, technical writing, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work-life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and do their best work. Salary range for this position is expected to be between $127,000 and $212,000 , depending on education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location. Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth. #LI-Hybrid As an employee-owned firm, Kennedy Jenks offers a unique company culture with a corporate commitment to maintaining a positive work/life experience with a flexible hybrid work environment. Kennedy Jenks provides competitive compensation that will vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, skills, licensure/certifications, seniority, and geographic location. We offer a full benefits package. Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.