Principal - Water/Wastewater - Design Center

Apex Companies•Houston, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Apex Companies is hiring a Principal - Water/Wastewater to lead the build-out of a design center. We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Principal-level leader to build, scale, and lead a high-performing Design Center focused on water and wastewater infrastructure. This role is a unique opportunity to shape a center of excellence that drives technical delivery, innovation, and operational efficiency across the organization. As a Principal Design Center Lead, you will be responsible for establishing and growing a centralized design capability that supports projects across multiple regions. You will define the vision, build the team, and implement the processes, tools, and culture needed to deliver high-quality, efficient, and scalable engineering solutions. This role blends technical leadership, business strategy, and people development—ideal for a leader who thrives on building something from the ground up and driving measurable impact.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and project/program delivery
Proven experience leading teams, projects, or operations at scale
Strong understanding of design delivery models, project workflows, and quality standards
Demonstrated ability to build and grow teams, develop leaders, and drive performance
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and implement new operating models

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Responsibilities

Build & Scale the Design Center: Establish the vision, structure, and operating model for a centralized design center. Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing engineering teams (EITs, PEs, designers, PMs). Create scalable delivery frameworks to support multi-office and national project needs.
Project Delivery & Fiscal Oversight: Oversee delivery of design for infrastructure projects including water and wastewater treatment, distribution/collection systems, and stormwater management. Ensure technical excellence, quality control, and adherence to scope, schedule, and budget. Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and QA/QC oversight to project teams. Manage project performance, including backlog, utilization, and profitability metrics.
Drive Technical Excellence & Delivery: Ensure consistent, high-quality design standards across all projects. Oversee production for water/wastewater treatment, conveyance, and infrastructure projects. Champion innovation, digital design tools, and process efficiency improvements.
Lead Strategy & Growth: Partner with regional and market leaders to align resources with project demand. Drive utilization, performance metrics, and operational efficiency. Support business development by positioning the design center as a differentiator.
Develop Talent & Culture: Build a strong pipeline of engineering talent through mentorship and career development. Foster a collaborative, high-accountability environment grounded in ownership and continuous improvement. Promote a culture of learning, innovation, and inclusion.