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Water Project Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HDR is seeking an experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to join our Water Business Group in our Missouri locations of St Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, or Columbia. In this position, you will ...

Drinking Water Project Manager Department: Water/Wastewater Employment Type: Full Time Location: Springfield, MA Compensation: $130,000 - $145,000 / year Description Creativity. Innovation. A desire ...

Water Project Engineer

Middletown, CT · Hybrid

$78K - $125K/yr

Planning, design, and construction administration for drinking water source, distribution, storage, and treatment projects * Provide support to Lead Project Engineers and other team members

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to lead and deliver complex water infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water ...

Water Project Engineer

Topsham, ME · On-site

$78K - $125K/yr

Planning, design, and construction administration for drinking water source, distribution, storage, and treatment projects * Provide support to Lead Project Engineers and other team members

As a Water Project Manager , you will provide project management and technical expertise for key projects; lead multi-disciplinary project teams; help to promote and advance HDR's national and ...

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to lead and deliver complex water infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water ...

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to lead and deliver complex water infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water ...

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Showing results 1-20

Water Project information

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$25.5K

$91.2K

$146.5K

How much do water project jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for water project in the United States is $91,188.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Water Project vs Water Engineer?

AspectWater ProjectWater Engineer
Required CredentialsProject management certifications, environmental or civil engineering backgroundEngineering degree (BSc or higher), engineering licenses
Work EnvironmentField sites, project offices, collaboration with contractorsDesign offices, laboratories, field inspections
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, NGOs, consulting firmsEngineering firms, government departments, consulting companies
Common Search & ComparisonProject management roles in water sectorTechnical engineering roles in water infrastructure

Water Projects focus on managing and overseeing water-related initiatives, coordinating teams, and ensuring project delivery. Water Engineers are responsible for designing, analyzing, and implementing water systems. While both roles work within the water industry, Water Projects emphasize management, whereas Water Engineers focus on technical engineering tasks.

What are some typical challenges faced when managing a water project, and how can team members best overcome them?

Managing a water project often involves navigating complex logistical, regulatory, and environmental challenges. Team members may encounter issues such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, adhering to strict safety and environmental standards, and adapting to changing project scopes due to unforeseen site conditions. Effective communication, thorough planning, and flexibility are key to overcoming these hurdles. Collaborating closely with engineers, local authorities, and community members can also help ensure that the project stays on track and meets its objectives.

What are water projects?

Water projects refer to planned activities and infrastructure designed to manage, supply, treat, or conserve water resources. These projects can include building dams, water treatment plants, irrigation systems, pipelines, and programs aimed at improving access to clean water. The goal of water projects is often to provide safe drinking water, support agriculture, prevent flooding, or improve sanitation in communities. They are essential for public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Water Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Project Manager, you need expertise in civil or environmental engineering, project management experience, and a relevant degree or certification such as PMP or PE. Familiarity with project management software, GIS, and water quality monitoring systems is typically required. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help facilitate teamwork and stakeholder engagement. These skills ensure effective planning, execution, and sustainability of water projects critical to public health and environmental protection.
What are the most commonly searched types of Water Project jobs? The most popular types of Water Project jobs are:
Infographic showing various Water Project job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,188 per year, or $43.8 per hour.
Drinking Water Project Manager

Drinking Water Project Manager

HDR

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 352 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.
HDR is seeking an experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to join our Water Business Group in our Missouri locations of St Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, or Columbia. In this position, you will support the growth and delivery of HDR's Drinking Water Market Sector in St Louis and throughout Missouri and Kansas. You will lead multi-discipline teams in the planning and design of treatment facilities, pump stations, and distribution systems, including condition assessment, asset management, and master planning.
As the Drinking Water Project Manager, you will help to promote the advancement of business development strategies, pursuit of new clients and new projects; maintain and strengthen existing client relationships; provide project management and technical expertise for key projects; and support staff development. Specific responsibilities include:
Direct and coordinate projects with technical complexity, including management of teams throughout the project's lifecycle (from development and initiation to closeout).
  • Participate in developing marketing initiatives to identify and capture expanding service opportunities.
  • Establish and maintain client relationships.
  • Conduct work sessions for deliverable development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders.
  • Support contractual negotiations, and lead design production and review meetings.
  • Coordinate staffing and workload balance through the project lifecycle to drive successful completion of deliverables on schedule.
  • Track financial aspects of projects, coordinate and adjust work effort of team to deliver contracted services within budget and schedule.
  • Work closely with the Accounting, Operational, and Business leadership for periodic project reviews.
  • Maintain quality in project delivery and implement QA/QC procedures.
  • Collaborate with other Business Class and Marketing staff in the pursuit of new projects, taking a champion role in selected key pursuits.
  • Serve as Project Manager for key/strategic projects, provide technical input for Business Class, and assist in developing capabilities of Business Class staff.
  • Supervise project staff and mentor staff.

Preferred Qualification
  • MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering preferred
  • Experience with designing of complex municipal drinking water systems.
  • Strong technical background and experience in designing treatment facilities and collection systems
  • Proven project leadership, project management (staffing, schedule, and budget), and mentorship skills
  • Ability to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Strong business development and strategic planning skills
  • A team player with the ability to function effectively in a variety of roles on integrated project teams
  • Must have the ability to interact with various design teams
  • Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills (both written and verbal)
  • An active participant in our employee-owned culture is a must
  • Preference is given to local candidates

#LI-MV3
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering
  • 7 years related experience
  • A minimum 2 years project management experience
  • Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license
  • MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus)
  • Demonstrated leadership skills
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917