Associate Project Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Project Director - Tunnels
Long Beach, San Diego, Oakland
Regular, Full-Time
Hybrid
Do you want to play a key role in expanding a growing tunnel and underground infrastructure business in California? Are you an experienced technical leader who can secure and deliver complex tunnel projects? And are you motivated by building trusted client relationships while shaping major infrastructure programs?
Then join us to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow.
Lead with a team of experienced leaders
To support the growth of our tunneling sector on the West Coast, we are seeking an Associate Project Director, Tunnels, to help manage project delivery while enabling us to explore new opportunities across California. You will join a globally recognized tunnel team that has contributed to landmark projects such as the Second Avenue Subway in New York and Fraser River Tunnel in Vancouver, bringing deep expertise and credibility to complex underground infrastructure.
Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Lead the delivery of complex tunnel and underground infrastructure projects, ensuring performance across scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk management
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and stakeholders, particularly within California public agencies and heavy civil infrastructure sectors
• Contribute to business development as a seller-doer by identifying opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping grow the tunnel pipeline across the West Coast
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, aligning technical expertise and resources while providing leadership through clear direction and indirect people management
• Provide technical leadership across tunnel projects, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless methods, slurry walls, and related underground structures
• Support team development and delivery excellence by mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and project management standards

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future
Like us, you believe that leadership growth comes from setting a clear and meaningful direction for your team and supporting them in taking ownership of their work. You always delegate responsibility and ensure an open and safe dialogue, and you coach your people to achieve their aspirations through constructive, fact-based feedback. Attracting and nurturing a diverse group of high-potential team members is at the top of your agenda, as is creating an inclusive, caring, and trusting culture in your team.
On top of that, you will have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical Engineering (Master's preferred) with 15+ years of experience in tunnel and underground infrastructure project delivery
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license in California (required), with technical credibility in tunneling and heavy civil works
• Demonstrated experience leading tunnel projects as a Project Manager or Project Director, with an established presence and credibility in the California market, particularly Los Angeles / Long Beach
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex, multidisciplinary underground projects, with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and commercial performance within California public works frameworks
• Technical expertise across tunneling methods, including bored tunnels, immersed tubes, trenchless technologies, slurry walls, and underground structures
• Extensive client relationship management experience, including working with public agencies, supporting contract negotiations, managing risk, and delivering high client satisfaction
• Demonstrated success in financial and commercial performance, including managing margins and securing follow-on work
• Experience operating in a seller-doer capacity, contributing to business development, supporting pursuits, helping grow the tunnel sector on the West Coast, and mentoring and coordinating project teams

A place to work and so much more
At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity - and sometimes even our courage - to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers' transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.
We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.
With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, the UK, North America and India, we are currently more than 7,500 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.
What we also offer:
Being part of the COWI community offers more than just a competitive salary. We take care of our people both professionally and personally.
Some of our benefits include:
Flexible working arrangement | Top-up parental and childbirth recovery leave | Fantastic close-knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share | Full time hires get 5 weeks vacation to start | Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity | Paid sick leave | Annual fitness subsidy - yes, you can use this for a ski pass, yoga, or gym membership | 401K contribution matching with generous company match | Personal and professional development fund | Parking or public transit allowance | Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer-paid premiums | Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance | Referral incentive program| Frequent social events
Base compensation: $160,800 to $240,000 for Long Beach, San Diego, and Oakland. Actual compensation is subject to variations due to education, experience, skill set, and location.
Got more questions?
Get to know us even better at our website, www.cowi.com, where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.
Equal opportunity employer
COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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