Assistant Project Manager Civil Engineer Jobs in Elgin, IL

At Clark Dietz, we're more than an engineering firm. We're employee-owners committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. As an ENR Top 500 design firm with offices across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin, we provide transportation, civil, environmental, structural, mechanical, electrical, and construction engineering services that make a lasting impact.

Position Overview

We currently have an opportunity for a Senior Civil Engineer/ Project Manager to join our Southern WI/ Northern IL Civil/Environmental Team. This position will be responsible for overseeing water and wastewater infrastructure projects from inception to completion, maintaining strong client relationships, providing technical leadership for the company, fostering technical growth of staff, and securing funding assistance for projects. You will lead project management efforts while ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality engineering solutions. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management, technical leadership, client engagement, communication, and funding acquisition skills within the water and wastewater sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and manages the full project lifecycle for complex water distribution, wastewater collection, and treatment projects, from proposal development through final delivery, by planning scope, schedule, budget, and risks, while ensuring quality through QA/QC processes.
• Leads the technical design and delivery of water infrastructure projects by overseeing the preparation of engineering drawings, specifications, permit applications, calculations, and technical reports; performing advanced design, modeling, and water/wastewater system analysis; reviewing and approving project deliverables to ensure technical accuracy, quality, and compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards; and mentoring junior engineers and technical staff to foster knowledge sharing and professional development.
• Serves as the primary client relationship manager by fostering long-term partnerships, understanding and translating client needs into clear project objectives, leading client meetings and presentations.
• Provides comprehensive funding assistance and grant management services by identifying and pursuing federal, state, and local funding opportunities; developing funding strategies and preparing grant applications; maintaining relationships with funding agencies and monitoring emerging programs; guiding clients through funding mechanisms to maximize financial support; and ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations.
• Supports business development through opportunity identification and proposal and technical approach development to expand water and wastewater service offerings. Maintains active membership and participation in professional, technical, and/or civic organizations and serve on committees and advances the firm’s reputation by authoring technical papers and/or presenting at conferences.

• B.S. degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering. M.S. degree is desirable. IL or WI PE license are required.
• 12+ years of experience with the planning, design and construction of pumping and water/wastewater treatment infrastructure is required; experience with collection and distribution/storage systems is a plus.
• Experience performing project management tasks including development of scope, schedule and budget.
• Experience working with clients in the public sector (municipal and sanitary district) market and assisting clients with program funding options (user fees, grants, SRF loans process, etc.) and permitting.
• Familiarity with the capabilities of various CAD and modeling software including AutoCAD Civil 3D. Additional knowledge of modeling software including Biowin, Visio, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HEC-GeoRAS, XP-SWMM is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to conduct effective client presentations and prepare written reports. Ability to collaborate effectively with other team members from multiple offices.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to client and project sites as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary range: Starting salary range: $114,483 - $139,984 + annual performance bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package plus 401(k) & ESOP with unlimited company match.
• Flexible hybrid schedule with work-from-home options.
• Support for licensure, education, and career development.
• Opportunity for ownership in a thriving, employee-centric firm.

It’s more than our tagline - It's something we strive to create not only for the communities we serve but also for our employee-owners who make it a reality.

You'll help shape the places people rely on every day - The roads we drive, the bridges we cross, the water we drink, and the public facilities we use. Our work improves everyday life because we're designing infrastructure our own communities depend on.

You'll keep learning and innovating - Through mentoring, Communities of Practice, collaboration, and hands-on project experience. No matter your role or experience level, you'll be encouraged to share ideas, learn new technologies, and innovate to solve challenges.

You'll build more than a career - As a 100% employee-owned company, we share knowledge and profits; celebrate each other's wins, and lead with empathy. You'll grow professionally, build meaningful relationships, and work with people who want you to succeed.

We think you'll fit right in.

To learn more about us and how we are Engineering Quality of Life visit Clark Dietz

Clark Dietz is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.