Join Our Team as a Project Engineering Manager
We are looking for a skilled professional to manage the design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale District CIP projects. This key role also leads CIP planning efforts and develops the Division’s annual budget. Bring your expertise and help shape ACWD’s future.
Project Engineering Manager is a single position mid-management classification. This class is distinguished from other engineering management classifications within the District by its responsibility for supervising the design, construction and start-up of major District CIP projects and planning and development of District’s CIP and the Division’s annual budget. It is distinguished from the Engineering Supervisor I/II in that the latter supervises engineering project management activities and reports to this class. It is distinguished from the Director of Engineering and Technology in that the latter is a department manager with responsibility for District-wide engineering services.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Candidates with significant experience in water infrastructure planning, design, construction and commissioning, as well as with the oversight of a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for public utility and managing a multi-disciplinary team with focus on collaboration and effective implementation of programs are highly desirable.
The Ideal Candidate will:
•Be a collaborative team player who can also work independently with minimal direction.
•Possess demonstrated abilities to build and maintain strong and effective relations with internal and external agencies, stakeholders, organizations and groups to represent the District’s interests in an effective and positive manner.
•Ability to lead the preparation and/or coordinating the preparation of bi-annual CIP budget and mid-cycle budget updates.
•Have supervisory experience and skills to oversee a team of project managers, engineers, and engineering technicians responsible for the implementation of mission critical projects and programs.
•Have strong program management skills with a proactive approach to addressing issues and finding creative solutions including strong experience in construction contract administration, and claims/dispute resolution.
•Have experience monitoring progress and performance of capital projects against capital improvement plan as well as evaluating and approving changes that substantially impact the scope, budget and schedule of projects.
•Have strong background and interest in innovative project delivery and contracting approaches including design build, progressive design build, construction manager at risk, Job Order Contracting etc.
•Possess a master’s or baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, along with progressively responsible professional engineering experience in design and construction, including experience leading, directing, and guiding the work of others.
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:
Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering; and six (6) years of full-time, progressively responsible professional engineering experience, including three (3) years of lead experience directing the work of others in the field and one (1) year of supervisory experience. Completion of the District’s Leadership Skills Training Program is required following hire. Supervisory experience is strongly desired.
Current ACWD Employees: 75% completion of the District’s Leadership Skills Training Program may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience. If the internal candidate has already completed the Leadership Skills Training Program, they do not need to complete the program for a second time if promoted.
Additional Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
Must possess California State Registration as a Professional Engineer.
Possession of a California State Certification as a Distribution Operator II is highly desirable.
Possession of a California State Certification as a Treatment Operator II is highly desirable.
Possession of certification in Project Management or Construction Management is desirable.
If you are interested in pursuing this unique and exceptional career opportunity, please submit your application and supplemental responses online at www.acwd.org/jobs. By the final filing date of Friday, January 9, 2026, at 5:00 pm PST.
Following the final filing date, submissions will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the interview and selection process. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for early February 2026.
If you have questions and for additional information about this position, please contact Selina Zapien, Human Resources Analyst via phone at (510) 668-4223 or via email at selina.zapien@acwd.com.
The Alameda County Water District is a special purpose public service agency located in Northern California, SF Bay Area, which provides drinking water to over 320,000 people.
For 100 years, the Alameda County Water District has supplied water to the residents and businesses of southern Alameda County. As our area has grown and changed from being an important agricultural center to supporting a growing suburban population, our water system has grown and changed with it.
Today, we have a staff of nearly 230 dedicated employees, and supply drinking water to the more than 356,000 people living in the cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City.
It is the mission of the Alameda County Water District to provide a reliable supply of high quality water at a reasonable price to our customers. To fulfill this mission we will: